Black Jack Russell Terrier: features of the appearance and rules of maintenance

Jack Russell Terrier black color is quite rare, but it looks just amazing - original and elegant. A puppy of this color is unlikely to be easy to find, so if you dream of a Russell of this color, you will have to look for him thoroughly. First of all, you should be aware that pure black Russells are not mentioned in the breed standard, which is why they are not so common.

Jack Russell owes its name to a priest from England, who bred this breed in the 19th century. He was passionate about hunting, bred the dogs of the hunting group. Russell was not chasing the exterior, his goal was the ideal hunting dog from the terrier group. Therefore, he crossed different types of terriers, including black ones. As a result, representatives of the black color appeared in the Russell litter rather quickly. In the next century, breeders sought to improve the quality of the breed at the expense of the bulldogs, which made the black color fixed on the hereditary level.

According to the official breed standard, Jack Russell comes in the following color variations:

• White black;
• white and red;
• white-reddish-black;
• pure white with black nose, lips and rims around the eyelids.

White is always placed in front of the description, as it should be dominant, more than 51%. As for pure black, it is not in the standard, it is discarded, it is considered a defect.At the same time, dog breeders are unanimous in the opinion that the black Russell is a very effective, elegant and beautiful dog, it attracts eyes with its originality.

Black russells divide into two types such as:

• short-legged - up to 30 cm in height, up to 6 kg in weight;
• long-legged - up to 38 cm in height, up to 35 kg in weight.

Their physique is slightly elongated, rectangular in shape, fairly proportional, strong. The head is wedge-shaped with bluntness, the skull is wider than the muzzle. Ears are allowed in the following two variations:

• hanging type;
• raised, in the form of buttons.

The eyes are medium in size, not bulging, and are edged in black, like the nose and lips. The neck is long, but not excessively, not too thin, not thickened. The back is of an even type, legs with well-developed muscles, strong and powerful. The tail can be long or docked. The coat can be as follows:

• smooth type, close-fitting, with good but not fluffy undercoat;
• long and rigid with kinks;
• hard type, while thin and not rough to the touch.

First of all, Russell is a rather sociable and affectionate dog. Therefore, in addition to hunting skills, they get along well in families as companions. Puppies need early socialization, so as soon as you bring the dog into the house, introduce it to the household, children, animals. If this moment is missed, the hunting instincts will force the dog to pursue prey. When starting a dog in a private house, keep in mind that they love to catch moles, mice, so they often dig holes on the site. Russell is genetically imprisoned for catching game, rats, hares, insects. That is why everything that runs and flies quickly will be attacked.

Jack Russell's hunting instincts are well developed. They are tireless, passionate, reckless. These dogs make excellent athletes. This is a very cheerful and cheerful breed, dogs love to attract attention, at a young age they are rather poor, always looking for something to do. If you want order in the house, you need to properly occupy your pet, provide him with maximum physical activity, active walks, games.

This breed is ideal for playing in a children's company, they are tireless, energetic, peaceful, absolutely not aggressive. In addition, they are passionately attached to their owners. It is better not to give a Russell puppy to an elderly person, as the dog needs an overly active lifestyle. This breed is best suited for energetic families, a lot of moving and sports. With all their vigor, Russells are excellent learners, attentive, intelligent, and amenable to training. They are often made into guides.

However, the main purpose of the breed is hunting. Therefore, unconditional obedience will have to be achieved through education. Russell, if necessary, will protect the owner, without thinking about the strength of the enemy. The watchdog qualities are very well developed. They do not belong to idle breeds. They are very peaceful and open-minded.

Like any breed, Black Russells have their own merits and demerits. Among the advantages are the following:

• compact size allows them to be kept in dwellings of any size;
• playful disposition, cheerful character;
• get along well with children;
• very devoted;
• good intelligence, quick wits;
• leaving does not require serious effort, they almost do not shed;
• very hardy, strong.

There are also disadvantages such as:

• hyperactive, suitable only for very energetic, mobile owners;
• they do not like loneliness, from boredom they can spoil things and furniture;
• early socialization, high-quality strict education from the first days is necessary;
• can perceive foreign birds and animals as game.

Russell's grooming procedures are not too complicated, especially since the black coat is rather non-marking, but some procedures must be performed regularly.

• First of all, it is the grooming of the coat. It is not necessary to cut Russells; it is enough to comb out several times a week with a special medium-hard brush. During the molting period, this procedure must be performed on a daily basis.
• Dogs are bathed infrequently, as needed, as the coat and skin are prone to dryness. In this case, special means are used. Be sure to cover your ears when washing, the breed is prone to otitis media.
• Have an oral exam once a week. If you see inflammation, take your dog to the vet. Russell needs to brush his teeth using special bones with fluoride, brushes and pastes.
• The dog's ears require very careful attention. They are cared for with a cotton pad and dog lotion. Dirt and sulfur are removed. You also need to keep a close eye on your eyes.
• Be sure to provide Russell with quality exercise every day. You need to walk the dog where it can run around and play enough.

Russells are omnivorous, but a balanced diet is the key to quality development and good health. If you have made a choice in favor of a natural diet, it should consist of such components as:

• lean meats;
• boiled fish without bones, marine varieties;
• boiled eggs;
• cereals;
• boiled vegetables.

Be sure to provide your dog with vitamin and mineral supplements. It is much easier to feed the dog with age-selected ready-made foods for active breeds. After you have brought the puppy home, do not change the feeding style right away, gradually move to the one that is more convenient for you.

It is strictly forbidden to feed Russell with the following foods:

• food from your table;
• flour, baked goods, sweets, baked goods;
• spicy, salty, seasoned.

Russells are trained depending on the purpose for which they acquired the dog. A hunting dog is brought up according to one rules, a companion according to others. Hunting skills are best practiced by specialists in canine organizations. This is a rather difficult process that fosters courage, perseverance, and the ability to make decisions in a dog. Homemade Russell is a different matter altogether. They are quite obedient, but it is forbidden to tease a dog, methods such as beating and screaming cannot be used in education. It is best to use a reward method.

For even more information on the features of this breed, see the next video.