Jack Russell Terrier
Originally bred for fox hunting, these small terriers are known for their exuberant energy and their general good health.
Genus, Species & Subspecies – Canis lupus familiaris
Common Names – Jack Russell Terrier
As a dog bred for working, Jack Russell terriers are high energy dogs. They require a high level of stimulation and exercise, and can become restless and bored if not properly entertained.
Though they are small in size, they are not well suited for apartments or small living spaces, due to their extremely high energy.
Jack Russell litters are typically between five and seven pups. They may have as many as 12 in a single litter in some cases. Pregnancy usually lasts around two months.
Jack Russells are small, compact dogs. Their fur is white on at least half of the body, with brown and black markings. They usually reach sizes of 10 to 15 inches to the top of the shoulder, and a weight of 18 pounds. They can be smooth coat (short haired), rough coat (long, wiry haired), or “broken coat” which is a mixture of the two.
Jack Russell terriers are named for the man who first bred them, Reverend John “Jack” Russell. He used them for fox hunting. The mostly white color of the breed is intended to help separate it from the similarly sized foxes it hunts.
After World War II, there was less demand for hunting dogs. Jack Russells became more common as family pets and companion dogs.
There are many well known individual Jack Russell terriers throughout history. A Jack Russell named Nipper became the symbol of the RCA electronics company, based on a painting of the dog looking at a phonograph music player. King Charles of Britain is also famously fond of the breed, having owned several.
The TV series “Wishbone” featured a Jack Russell in the title role. Another famous fictional Jack Russell was Eddie from the sitcom “Frasier”, who was the pet of Frasier Crane’s father Martin.
Russell terriers are the 73rd most popular dog breed in the United States as of 2022, according to the American Kennel Club. They are much more popular in Europe, especially in Ireland, Poland, Norway and the United Kingdom.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Russell_Terrier
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/russell-terrier/
https://animal-health.co.uk/news/top-25-most-popular-dog-breeds-around-the-world
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