Talk to me about Jack Russells

[BassAce]

So I’m a long time dog owner - previously had spaniels of all varieties, schnauzers and now currently have a miniature dachshund.
But we fell in love with a photo on a rescue website of a beautiful four year old Jack Russell Terrier, we are very keen to adopt her and have passed the initial stages to be eligible. Tomorrow we will meet her for the first time to see if she gets on with our other dog.

However despite being a dog photographer who works every day with dogs of all shapes and sizes, I’ve realised that JRTs aren’t a breed I’ve spent much time with before, so I know nothing of their true personalities. Appreciate that all individual dogs are different, but we all know that there are certain traits that just seem stereotypical to the breed (my dachshund for example is a delight - but he still very much fits the stubborn, prone to barking, bit diggy if left unattended in the garden, overly needy, mad as a box of frogs stereotype that it’s taken years of training to barely overcome!!)

Would love to hear from any JRT owners how they find the breed. I’m an experienced dog owner, and I have a qualification in understanding general dog behaviour for my work, so I’m not put off by a bit of hard work or any “undesirable” traits (there’s no such thing in my book as a bad dog, only a bad owner). But would like to go into this adoption with my eyes wide open - as I’m fully aware that her ‘real’ personality may not come out until a good couple of months after she’s settled in her new home. Her current foster family describe her as currently a bit timid (due to her bad start in life) but very good with kids and other dogs, which is a positive start. And we live very rurally with acres of land, and surrounded by fields so she will be very much a country dog with plenty of walks and outdoor time. But what can I expect in the house? Any experience / warnings gratefully received…

Generally not a huge fan, although to be fair I prefer big dogs. Our dog trainer had some negative stories about them too about feistiness and train ability
However, I recently met a lady with one and as I have spent more time with them both I really like this one.
He is very very well trained though (she’s a vet) and last time she brought him round he didn’t even bat an eyelid when my cat sauntered past

I love a Jack Russell, I've always got at least one. They are all different but they were bred to be fearless and energetic with a high prey drive. That prey could be anything from mice to next doors Rottweiler, they really aren't fussy. They are loving, loyal, playful. One of mine will go for anything, the other is as gentle as a lamb. I think if you can handle a Dachshund you can handle a Jack Russell. If you go ahead with the dog then lots of socialisation is key.

My limited experience of Jack russells is they’re absolutely bonkers. Utterly fearless, high energy, really smart (but daft at the same time), fiercely protective and yappy. So, so yappy. My bolder of the 2 is an escape artist. They’re also both very affectionate and sweet.

As you’re an experienced dog owner I’d say they’d be brilliant for you, but for a complete novice such as myself they’re a lot to handle. Still, I’m 12 years in and we’re all still alive, but I’d not get another one!

Yappy.

They can vary so much. Mine is a long legged variety - he's 16 now so slowing down a lot but he was never yappy, was bright and easily trainable (up to KC silver award) and was never a digger - he used to take his chews outside and spend ages picking grass to cover them 😂

On the slightly more difficult side we had to work a 1-2-1 with a trainer for a while to help him being reactive with other dogs when on the lead, he found fireworks incredibly stressful and would throw himself at windows and doors (god bless old deaf dogs now) and he's always been a nightmare food wise.

I've known a few who are ball obsessed but mine couldn't care less.

Oh this is all very helpful, thank you everyone! A barker I can deal with (plenty of training practise with a dachshund, and we live remotely so it’s only going to annoy us and not neighbours until we crack it!) I like a small dog with a big dog personality, so I’m rather hopeful this might be a good fit for us. But do keep hitting me with your own experiences - the more I can know, the better I can be prepared!

There’s a reason they’re popular pets; Great little dogs, but as said they do vary wildly.

I like a small dog with a big dog personality

Oh you'll get on fabulously with JRTs then!

IME they are feisty, intelligent, super keen, sprightly, fiercely loyal and fearless. Very typical terrier, can be vocal and demanding. Tendency to bond strongly to one person in the household.

I think they are much maligned because of their intelligence and energy and they would need good socialisation and training - so for an experienced dog owner and handler you would be well rewarded. They are overthinkers so games and puzzles will entertain and engage. Quite strong jawed for a little pooch too, so plenty chewing action to keep teeth in good nick - mine always loved a good thigh marrow or knuckle joint bone.

Coats cast like labradors - lots! and those little needle like hairs that hurt when you get them into your skin.

I have a huge soft spot for the breed. We had them in the family when I was growing up but DH likes a big dog so that's what we have nowadays.

They're absolutely fantastic dogs! Brave, cheeky, know their own mind, loyal, full of personality, full of love (on their terms!), not a lapdog at all (unless they decide that they want a cuddle!) Love to chase (& kill) things and also love to sleep. Basically they're either on or off! Mine is a long-legged one and has quite a big dog bark, the smaller ones seem to be more yappy. Mine has no interest in cats whatsoever strangely, she was a rescue and we think that perhaps she lived with a cat.

If you've had a Dachshund then I'd imagine you'd be fine with a Jack Russell.

I have a jrt cross Yorkshire terrier, but I think he’s all jrt.

He’s amazing, so loving and friendly, fearless, will play with all dogs. Amazing with my children.

He’s a bugger to train, it’s basically luck that we have a lifestyle that fits with his wants. Think farm and land and lots of free ranging. If he wants to go off, he’ll go, but because of where we are that’s not generally a problem. He is good though when we take him on more civilised outings where we need him to behave so maybe he just reads the situation and acts accordingly.

He’s very clever. Stubborn and not yappy.

He’s the best. I can’t recommend jrts enough.

I have one just about to turn 1! He is absolutely bonkers. Only time he is still is when he's asleep! But he is so loving and cuddly. Does yap at every noise but that is getting better with training. I have children ages 13 and 9 and he fits in perfect here. He has been a little difficult in training but he is learning. I wish I had their energy though.

we have a JRT x yorkie (at least we think thats what he is)
He is loving, affectionate (very) likes to be close to humans, anyone will do, though he is devoted to his family and so sweet with all children, very empathetic, he will go to them when they cry and sit with friends who are a bit shy, he really is a brilliant friend and very much loved by everyone who meets him.
He is also a bit of a sod, can be very reactive to certain dogs though totally fine with most, strong as a little ox and very greedy.
Strong prey drive and no common sense at all, he would happily run under a car to get to something interesting.

We have a JRT (used to have 2) and neither was yappy. They have a reputation for it but never had this problem. They were both loyal, friendly, energetic and very protective of the kids.
They loved chasing small animals and sometimes caught rabbits. Both had the prey instinct but had great recall because of good training. Excellent little dogs and would always go for a JRT for future dogs.
They moult like crazy though

Oh and neither used to dig up the garden

Dh wants one. The yappy and bonkers bits put me off.

Hugely characterful, lively, smart, fearless. They’re fab

There is a lovely meme with a series of photos:
I am a golden retriever. I lead the blind.
I am a Labrador. I retrieve fallen game.
I am a German Shepherd. I guard my owner's property.
I am a JRT. I am a little shit!

Which about sums them up - the PILs had one who was bolshy and domineering. We had one for years. She was scared of nothing except fireworks and thunder, had considerable prey drive, would stand on a windowsill at bark at any excuse if we let her, and ruled the roost with dogs bigger than she was. On the other hand, she was amazingly good with DC, largely ignored other dogs and never looked for a scrap, ate well and was very healthy apart from a skin allergy that was easily controlled.

My Jack Russell was an amazing wee dog. She was great with kids, all dogs both big and small (she was used to group dog walks from 16 weeks though so very well socialised).
She was very energetic, very playful and loved running up and down hills and digging up the garden.
Brought in the occasional mouse or frog though.
Recall was generally good unless she took a particular interest in something.

Never barked, occasionally nipped ankles when excited (only certain peoples though) and it too a lot of work to stop that.
Could destroy any toy, even the extra hard wearing ones, would steal any small toy left lying.
Was the best wee dog though and I would happily have another.

My JRTS are bold, energetic, very loving but completely disloyal, will follow anyone else who gives the a treat and pet.
They do however count everyone in and out of the house and wait for whoever is missing.
So clever, curious, playful. They will walk for miles but also love a laze on a lap or Infront of the fire. One of mine is bold but timid so thinks she is the bravest dog in the world but when it comes to it is an absolute wimp.
They both have wee dog syndrome the older one is referred to as 'the general' cos he is in charge of everything.

They live forever my older JRT is around 17- 19 years old. We rescued him when he was 5 and the vet thought he was more like 7. But still loves a long walk, to chase a ball, apart from a arthritic shoulder and very few teeth he is in tip top condition

Ooh and both our rescue and one we have had from pup, very trainable, clever, smart but they can think for themselves so not always the most biddable

Ugh I won't get another one. So darn yappy all the time. Mine is also a wimp, can be very snippy and will not shut up, but I'm sure it's my lack of experience with dogs that has caused this and a better dog trainer would do a better job. Please tell me how to stop the barking!
I would be mindful about why the dog has been rehomed tho, just in case there's something hard to train them out of? Mines great for tricks, less great for not barking and snarling and nipping

Our JRT was a year-old untrained rescue when we got him.
We were told JRTs were either happy or snappy. Fortunately, he was of the happy variety. Huge personality and he was fiercely loyal to DH, I was definitely lowest in the pecking order!
Managed to train him in most things but his recall off-lead wasn’t good.
He would run off and make his own way home on occasions, fortunately there were no roads to cross.
DH would phone to say he’s done it again and sure enough, JRT would be waiting at the door.
Prey instinct meant he’d sometimes catch rabbits and rats. He wasn’t particularly yappy and stopped barking instantly on command. He was feisty and a real character, good with other dogs and the cat. Could speed-eat for England and hoovered up any leftovers. He lived to be 18 and we still miss him.

Any I’ve ever come across are grumpy little shits…..BUT I still love them.

We rescued a JRT when she was 2, and she's now 14. I agree with the majority of the above: Loving, Loyal, Sweet Natured, Energetic. Bad points: Very very yappy, and couldn't catch a rat if her life depended on it!!

Mine was very easy to train as well. She even commando crawls, sits like a meerkat, and rolls over - with hand gestures.

When I had my son (8), she became his second mum. The bond they share is incredible and they're inseparable!