Smooth-haired Jack Russell Terrier: appearance, character and rules of care

Jack Russell Terriers are classified as hunting dog breeds. Their historical homeland is Great Britain. In this country, they were first bred to hunt burrowing animals. Today these dogs are considered not only consummate hunters of badgers and foxes, but are also widely used as companion dogs for active people.

These dogs owe their name to a priest from Great Britain, Jack Russell, who lived in the English county of Devon. He was known as an excellent horseman and a passionate fox hunter using terriers. In the second half of the 19th century, Russell took an active part in the work on the standard for fox terriers. Due to the fact that for many years he successfully crossed wire-haired terriers of various breeds and colors, the hunting qualities of these dogs have improved markedly.

Now, in their historical homeland in England, Jack Russell Terriers are used as hunting and farm dogs. In addition to hunting foxes, they can also successfully hunt hares and water rats, and exterminate rodents. The French use this breed so that dogs bring shot game, help track down rabbits and roe deer. In South Africa, these animals most often play the role of guard dogs that are sensitive to ambient noise and will not let strangers in. Jack Russell Terriers were introduced to Russia in 1998, and at the moment they are one of the most popular breeds among companion dogs.

In this breed, on the basis of the characteristics of the wool, it is customary to distinguish three varieties: smooth-haired animals, long-haired and an intermediate version, which is called broken. Short-haired (smooth-haired) Jack Russell terriers have long enjoyed immense popularity. They can be seen in films and advertisements, they often live in families of "stars" of film and television. It is this type of Jack Russell Terrier that is very unpretentious in keeping, does not need trimming, their coat always looks well-groomed and neat.

There are the following standard appearance characteristics for smooth-haired Russells:

• the head should be wedge-shaped, the muzzle is shorter than the skull;
• the edging of the eyelids, lips and nose are always black;
• ears are allowed both raised and drooping;
• jaws strong and strong, scissor bite;
• the neck is of medium length with a well-defined withers;
• the chest is deep, but not wide;
• back straight, not very long muscular loin;
• the front legs are straight and elastic, the hind legs have well-developed muscles, the paws are small with moderate toes;
• the tail can be either docked or regular, but it should never curl up into a ring;
• the coat is smooth and short, close-fitting to the body, with a well-developed undercoat;
• the color must be at least 51% white, red or black spots of any shape are allowed on a white background, while a tricolor color (white with red and black spots) is also the norm;
• standard height - 25-30 cm, weight norm - 5-6 kg.

Smooth-haired Jack Russell Terriers are loyal, intelligent and energetic dogs. According to the descriptions of the breeders, they have a cheerful and affectionate disposition, they are easy to educate. These pets are very fond of long walks and all kinds of outdoor games, as well as trips and hiking trips. Russells are very hardy and brave, but at the same time they are cunning and love to play pranks. They love children, but due to their highly developed hunting instinct, they can attack other dogs, cats or birds.

Jack Russell Terriers with smooth coat and compact size are easy to keep both in city apartments and in private houses. You just need to follow some of the recommendations of experienced dog breeders for caring for them.

• Wool cover. The coat of these dogs requires minimal grooming. But smooth-haired Jack Russell Terriers can shed heavily, so it is advisable to brush their coat every day with a special brush. During shedding, you need to comb out the wool with a special comb or mitten. The short fur of these animals has an amazing property of self-cleaning from dirt and dust, so they should be bathed only in case of very strong pollution.
• Hygiene. Your ears, eyes and teeth should be checked and cleaned regularly, but you shouldn't do it too often. If the dog walks a lot on asphalt or other hard surfaces, then the claws do not need to be trimmed.
• Feeding. Dogs of this breed can be fed either fresh natural products or premium ready-to-eat foods. Do not overfeed your pet, make sure that its weight is within the normal range. An adult dog should be given food 2 times a day.
• Conditions of detention. Remember that this hunting breed needs a lot of physical activity, animals need to run and jump a lot. Long walks (at least 2 hours a day), playing with a ball or with a flying disc (frisbee) are required.You should also know that these dogs do not tolerate loneliness and can spoil and gnaw on accessible objects, so it is better to accustom the animal to being placed in an aviary for a while from childhood. Consider the fact that Jack Russell Terriers are very jumpy and can easily climb a one and a half meter fence.
• Prevention of possible diseases. This breed is characterized by good health and strong immunity. But you should be aware that the weak points of the Russells can be the eyes, joints and heart. They have a disease such as ataxia, which is expressed in impaired coordination of movements and loss of balance.

When choosing a short-haired Jack Russell Terrier puppy, it should be borne in mind that in the same litter there may be babies with different types of coat. Before bringing your puppy home, remove all available wires, chemicals, clothing and shoes, as these dogs love to chew on anything. Give your little terrier a warm, draft-free and no heating area next to the bed. Get modern latex toys that are safe and easy to clean. Be aware that you cannot play tug-of-war games with the puppy, this interferes with the formation of a correct bite, the baby is also prohibited from going down the stairs on his own, he cannot be lifted by the paws to avoid damage to the joints.

From the age of 2 months with a small pet, you need to regularly engage, accustoming him to society and the execution of commands. The diet should include raw lean meat, boiled boneless fish, eggs, cereals, vegetables, cottage cheese. Sweet, salty, fried, fatty and smoked foods are strictly prohibited. It is preferable to use a rack with fixed bowls for feeding. Do not forget about veterinary examination, age-appropriate vaccinations, prevention of helminth infestation and treatment of fleas and ticks from wool.

Jack Russell Terriers are dogs for people who lead an active lifestyle, who love sports and travel. They are friendly, quick-witted and fearless. With proper upbringing and care, dogs of this breed can live a very long time and be active and loyal friends and companions.

For more information on the Jack Russell Terrier breed, see the following video.