About Jack Russell Terrier Dogs

A dog that has remained fairly popular over the years is the Jack Russell Terrier. They are known for being energetic and playful and generally having a good disposition. The Jack Russell is not a natural breed of dog, but has been carefully bred with certain qualities. This article gives a brief overview of some of the basics of the Jack Russell Terrier.
  1. History

    • Jack Russell Terriers were first bred in the early 1800s as hunting dogs. Genetically, they are composed of many different breeds. They are named after the Reverend John Russell for his work in breeding terriers. There are different types and sizes, but they all still fall under the Jack Russell breed.

    Types

    • The term "Jack Russell" is actually used to describe a wide variety of small terriers that bare similar characteristics to one another. There are long-, short- and medium-haired varieties, as well as varying sizes.

    Identification

    • Jack Russell Terriers are often identified mainly by their coloring. Typically they have a white body with brown or black markings around their eyes and on their back. They have long tails and shorter ears.

    Size

    • Jack Russell Terriers can be considered a small to medium sized dog depending on the kind. They are generally 15-18 pounds in weight and 10-15 inches tall.

    Features

    • Some of the features that mark the Jack Russell are their coloring, compact proportions, flexibility, and sturdy legs. Since they were primarily bred as hunting dogs, they were bred with hunting features. They have a keen sense of smell and are built for getting into small, narrow places, such as down animal burrows. Because of their hunting instincts, they also tend to be independent.