General Description: Small, compact little dog with either a smooth or rough coat Height: 23 - 38cm Weight: 6 - 8kg White with black, lemon or tan Terrier group Temperament The Jack Russell is a very alert, curious and fearless little breed. This playful dog is always ready to receive affection or play around with their owners. They love to hunt and can be a chaser, therefore they should not be left off the lead in any unsecured areas. This breed is very intelligent and can be trained easily. The Jack Russell is a great watchdog, they will alert their master by growling and standing firmly towards any approaching stranger. This breed can be scrappy with other dogs (especially of the same sex) and they like to dig and search for vermin, so it is not wise to leave them unsupervised in a beautifully landscaped garden. The Jack Russell Terrier is a very popular family pet. Exercise The Jack Russell will get most of the exercise required by running around the garden. However a daily walk for around 20 – 40 minutes is recommended. Grooming A regular groom with a firm bristle brush is recommended. The rough coated Jack Russell Terrier’s coat can become a bit of a matted mess if not groomed regularly enough. Bathe only when necessary. Health The Jack Russell Terrier is generally of very good health but can be prone to eye problems and can also suffer from dislocating knee caps. Life Expectancy 12 – 16 years History The Jack Russell Terrier originated in England in the late 1880’s. The breed takes its name from the Reverend John Russell who had a passion for fox hunting and the breeding of fox hunting type dogs. Early English fox hunters used a black and tan type terrier dog, whose colouring was too similar to the foxes they were hunting, this brought about the desire for a more brightly coloured dog (white). It is thought that the Old English White Terrier was crossed with the English Black and Tan Terrier (both now extinct) to achieve the type of coat and colouring seen today in the Jack Russell Terrier. Today the Jack Russell is used for agility, to perform tricks and be an all round great family companion.