Parson Jack Russell Terriers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find about Parson Jack Russell Terrier temperament, personality, and behavior.

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Parson Jack Russell Terrier Temperament
What's Good About 'Em,
What's Bad About 'Em

By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2010

If any dog can top the high energy level of a Fox Terrier, it is a Jack Russell Terrier. If any dog can top the hard-as-nails working ability of a Border Terrier, it is a Jack Russell Terrier. And if any dog can top the strong prey drive, determination, bold tenacity, and intensity of a Jack Russell Terrier -- well, that could only be another JRT.

This bright, clever, athletic breed is on top of everything that's going on. Nothing gets by him.

A solitary or sedate lifestyle is not suited to a Jack Russell: He requires full participation in the family and vigorous daily play sessions, especially ball chasing. Too little exercise, companionship, and mental stimulation will quickly lead to boredom, which will in turn lead to moodiness and destructive behaviors. These are not apartment dogs!

Most Jack Russell Terriers are happy-go-lucky and friendly with strangers, but in the presence of strange dogs, keep them close and under control. Some Jack Russells are so brash and fearless they will take on a Rottweiler if it looks cross-eyed at them.

Two Jack Russell Terriers (regardless of sex or age) should never be left alone together, because a seemingly amiable relationship can suddenly flare into deadly combat over something as innocuous as possession of a chew toy.

Small pets that run, squeak, or flutter probably won't last an hour.

The exploratory and hunting instincts of Jack Russell Terriers are legendary. He will "go to ground" after anything and will stay in or by the hole for days without food or water.

Assertive but cheerful, with typical terrier stubbornness, the Jack Russell Terrier responds well to obedience training that utilizes food. He especially enjoys learning tricks. It is a foregone conclusion that JRTs are enthusiastic diggers and barkers.

If you want a dog who...

Is conveniently-sized, natural-looking, and sturdy Is one of the most energetic, athletic, determined, and intense of all breeds Is extremely alert and makes a keen watchdog, yet is still sociable with strangers When handled properly, is the brightest and most trainable of all the terriers, loves learning tricks, and EXCELS in competitive activities such as agility and flyball A Parson Jack Russell Terrier may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...

• The dynamic terrier temperament (see full description below)
• Providing plenty of exercise and interesting things to do
• Very strong chasing instincts
• Digging holes
• Barking
• Constant shedding (lots of white hairs everywhere)
• Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
• Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
• Mouthiness -- chewing on things, carrying things around, mouthing your hands in play
• Providing careful socialization to avoid aggression or shyness
• Potential aggression toward other animals

A Parson Jack Russell Terrier may not be right for you.

If I were considering buying or adopting a Parson Jack Russell Terrier

My major concerns would be:

1. The dynamic terrier temperament. Most terrier breeds are remarkably similar. The same words are used over and over -- quick to bark, quick to chase, lively, bossy, feisty, scrappy, clever, independent, stubborn, persistent, impulsive, intense. Terriers cannot be trusted off-leash -- they are too likely to "take off", oblivious to your frantic shouts, after anything that runs.
2. Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Jack Russell Terriers are incredibly active go-getters. They MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. These dogs are so intelligent and capable that I hate to see them chosen by owners who just want a dog to hang around the house and yard. Parson Jack Russell Terriers thrive when you find interesting things for them to do that challenge their minds, such as agility training (canine obstacle course), advanced obedience training, flyball, or "earthdog" training (where terriers dig and tunnel after small critters who are secured in a sturdy cage so they can't be harmed).

   Jack Russells were never intended to be simply household pets. Their strong hunting and chasing instincts are inappropriate in a household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" drives, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, results in a frustrated, bored Jack Russell -- and frustrated, bored Jack Russells can make a shambles of your house and yard.

3. Animal aggression. Many Jack Russell Terriers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs. Two Jack Russells should not be left alone together -- one may kill the other over possession of a toy. Most Jack Russells also have incredibly strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures. They are capable of seriously injuring or killing smaller animals.
4. Fence security. Many Jack Russell Terriers are clever escape artists who will go over or under fences in search of adventure. You may need higher fences than you might imagine for their small size. They can climb chain link. You may also need to sink wire into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks, as some of these dogs can open flimsy latches.
5. Barking. Terriers are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. To make matters worse, some terriers have high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.
6. Mind of their own. Though much more amenable to training than other terriers, Jack Russell Terriers must still be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. Parson Jack Russell Terriers can be stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

I do NOT recommend Parson Jack Russell Terriers if you have small children. Many Jack Russells will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. Many terriers are quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw). Many terriers are possessive of their food and toys and will defend these from all comers, including children.




To learn more about training Parson Jack Russell Terriers to be calm and well-behaved, consider my dog training book,
Teach Your Dog 100 English Words.

It's a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will make your Parson Jack Russell Terrier the smartest, most well-behaved companion you've ever had.

Teaches your dog to listen to you, to pay attention to you, and to do whatever you ask him to do.



7. Heavy shedding. Parson Jack Russell Terriers shed only once a year -- for 365 days. In other words, they shed constantly. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vaccuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this. Most people have no idea how much hair these dogs can produce.
8. Finding a healthy one. Parson Jack Russell Terriers can suffer from eye diseases like lens luxation and cataracts, orthopedic diseases like luxating patella and legg-calve-perthes, heart disease and epilepsy, and more.
   
   My dog buying guide, How To Buy a Good Dog, will teach you everything you need to know about finding a healthy Parson Jack Russell Terrier puppy. Health problems have become so widespread in dogs today that this book is required reading for ANYONE who is thinking of getting a purebred, crossbred, or mixed breed dog.
   
   

   If you'd like to consult with me personally about whether a Parson Jack Russell Terrier might be a good dog breed for your family, I offer a Dog Breed Consulting Service.

   
   Once you have your Parson Jack Russell Terrier home, you need to KEEP him healthy -- or if he's having any current health problems, you need to get him back on the road to good health.
   
   My dog health care book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy is the book you need. Raise your dog the right way and you will be helping him live a longer, healthier life while avoiding health problems and unnecessary veterinary expenses.

Please consider adopting an ADULT Parson Jack Russell Terrier...

When you're acquiring a Parson Jack Russell Terrier PUPPY, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important.

But when you acquire an adult dog, you're acquiring what he already IS and you can decide whether he is the right dog for you based on that reality. There are plenty of adult Parson Jack Russell Terriers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics that are "typical" for their breed. If you find such an adult dog, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. Just be happy that you found an atypical individual -- and enjoy!

Save a life. Adopt a dog.

Adopting a Dog From a Dog Breed Rescue Group

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