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…

Horrible, yappy, aggressive, rat-like little monsters, need eradicating.

My honest, if probably unpopular, opinion.

I love Jack Russell's, grew up with terriers and other family always had 1 or 2 jack russels. I would totally get a jack Russel on the one condition been that I knew it wasn't too vocal! I have certainly known some JRTs to not be yappy but also many that have. It's the only thing that puts me off. Other than that I love their personalities, usually a lovely lively, singleminded character. Not too dissimilar to the hound you currently have I imagine!

Think this thread shows how diverse they are. Ours didn't yap, had a perfect low growl, very protective, totally prey driven to the potential detriment of their own safety. Recall - basically not to be trusted because of prey drive. Feisty, took no prisoners, bit aloof- any cuddles on his terms eg if he was cold! Excellent in company, including dogs. Ate anything and everything, iron constitution, no ailments. Fun, robust little dogs.

We’ve had five. Recall for all not good. High prey drive too. Numbers 1-4 loyal, funny, friendly, good with other dogs, sound with children but as with all dogs I would never 100% trust. Not yappy at all. Each one had her particular peccadilloes. No 5 was returned to breeder, something I NEVER would have thought I would do and it broke my heart. There were lots of reasons, but what tipped it was I knew she was never going to be reliable with children.

They can be wonderful but are not for the faint hearted!

I've got two. They are great fun, lively family dogs. Two very distinct personalities-one a steady sort, very calm, friendly and affectionate, maybe a tad lazy-he would avoid a walk if he could . The only annoying thing with him is that he barks at the TV. The other one is a bit feisty with other dogs. And can't be key off the head as as soon as she us she goes down the nearest rabbit hole. Other than that she is fab. She's so smart and so affectionate to us. She loves a walk or a run. They are great Dogs.

Mine is in his 8th year. He's very yappy and can be a bit possessive over food. But loves to sit on your knee if you have a blanket.
One thing I've noticed no one mention is skin problems, I was told it's quite common in the breed, mine has to have injections monthly at the moment and have to watch what he eats.
He's getting really lazy as he gets older and seems to spend most of his time dozing.

We had our Parson JRT to age 15 and all of the above pretty well sums them up. Ours was feisty one minute and a wimp the next, hugely entitled, had decent recall when he felt like it , loyal and loving but a bugger for chasing things. We had to dig him out of a fox burrow and he fought with a badger. He was also very funny. A real pain in the ass but what I'd give to have him here again. They are a real handful but I'd have another like a shot.

This is my old Jack Russell Nero.

He was a rescue and was as thick as shit . Could never work out stairs and would sit at the bottom barking at the cat who would sit two steps up.

The complete opposite of what jacks are supposed to be.

He was lazy, stubborn and allergic to everything.

I loved him to bits though.

Fiercely loyal. We grew up with one. She was bonkers. We lived in London at the time but I think she really needed to be in the country. They nearly all get arthritis which is sad as they live for walks and exercise.

They nearly all get arthritis which is sad as they live for walks and exercise

Not mine

He had his own dog pushchair because he wouldn’t walk! He would jump out in certain places like the grass and then ask to be lifted back in when he had enough (he couldn’t jump back in)

We had a JRT. She was known to us as Barky McBarkface but it was never without reason (turns out, there are a lot of reasons to bark!).

She was loyal and funny and energetic. She loved walking in all conditions but then loved to come home and snuggle on the sofa.

She was also the single most socially savvy dog I have ever known and was the Go To dog to put any other dogs at ease. She could 'read' another dog like no dog I've ever known and would always know exactly how to behave to put them at ease or bring them in line. I watched her 'save' many social situations by reading them exactly right and doing exactly the right thing to keep everyone calm.

She was truly excellent and whilst I joke here at home that there will be "no more bloody Jack Russells" - it is a joke. Because, at heart, I think they are truly, truly fabulous dogs and whilst I lean more to the gun breeds, I would always make an exception for the Jacks.

Apart from anything else, they are a bargain. You get huge personality, long life, good health and lots of fun for little initial outlay, hardly any space in the car or home needed and not much food costs

My current JRT is a non yappy sweetheart, very friendly to anything with 2 legs, great with children, but not so keen on anything with 4!
Her recall is excellent, and unlike my previous JRT is not an escapoligist, tree climbing, squirrel obssessed run away artist.
She's still very fit, is now 14, and looking like she'll go on forever.

I used to volunteer at a shelter and jrts were our highest turn over dog. People take them on thinking they are cute little dogs that don't require a lot of work. They are high energy dogs and require a lot of attention. But if you're experienced andnknow what you're taking on they're the funniest and biggest personality

I have a rescue JRT who is nearly 5 and I really don't think you can tar them all with the same brush, my boy had a very rough start in life so hates other dogs, cannot be let off his lead, has zero recall, but he isn't at all yappy or a barker, LOVES to sleep especially buried under a blanket, loves kisses and cuddles & is the softest boy. Go for it!

Ooh I second the social intelligence. Our old boy can read a room like nobody's business. When we took him to training classes when we first rescued him the teacher used him to walk him attached to the nervous dogs. Although he is bossy he takes charge to look after everyone, a look or growl from him and other dogs immediately know their place and chill out

I love my long legged jrt. He's the best dog I've had. Full of character and companionship.

Friendly with all people especially me. He follows me everywhere. Affectionate and a surprisingly excellent lap dog. Gentle and quiet and well behaved indoors. Smart and easy to train because he understands what I want him to do. Playful and up for all the exercise I can provide. Can be left alone happily for up to 4 hours. Regularly comes with me wherever I'm going for the day and is no bother and more transportable than a larger dog.

Very stubborn, very very stubborn. Too fond of a good sniff of everything when out on a walk. Too excited by cats. Won't settle at outdoor cafes or restaurants which is annoying. Is hard to talk out of things once he gets an idea in his head.

Go on, get that jack Russell.

I grew up with labs, spaniels and always said no way to JRTs yappy snappy dogs. But I can honestly say we will never not have a jack Russell in our house. They make our home and are really part of our family.

The best dogs ever. Intelligent , kind, active Great family dogs. They do lose hair though

JRT was given recognition by kennel club 2016 I think. My friend breeds these ones. She shows and does agility at a high level. They are feisty wonderful, loyal little dogs. Make me smile constantly. If you look on KC page you can see a picture, rough coat, short legs.

I prefer the parson, that's my breed. Longer legs and gentle generally. My best friends.

We used to have JRT crosses, on the farm, more like the ones shown and I agree with all the comments, the temperament can vary greatly.

Best dogs in the world. I had two and the surviving one died last Feb aged 18.5. Completely fearless, affectionate and mine were not happy.

My Fred was an absolute athlete and a total genius with a rugby ball. Taught himself to chest it down to the floor then dribble it back to me. It was a sight to behold.

God I miss them. If you know dogs you’ll love a JRT.

Not yappy! They were very happy…

They can vary so, so much.

I've met some who are absolutely fantastic dogs - energetic, excellent recall, fantastic with other dogs and people. Then, I've met others who are aggressive, yappy little shits (for want of a better word). They have no recall, snap and yap and snarl at anyone or anything that walks past...

But how much of that is nature and how much is nurture...who knows. They only became a recognised "breed" very recently, too, which means there are very few who are bred to any kind of set standard.

They're not a breed I would ever consider but then I'm not really not a huge fan of terriers in general, lol.

Thank you so much for all your comments (and especially the photos!… we all love a beautiful dog photo)
The more I’m hearing about them, the more I think this rescue dog is going to be the one for us… I’m not scared of a bit of training, and all the positive characteristics make them sound ideal to our lifestyle. (And even the negatives just make the breed sound like a twin for my current dachshund, so we can deal with them!)

I’ll pop back on tomorrow after I’ve met her in person with hopefully good news that she’s found her forever home.

I used to walk a Jack Russell shih Tzu cross. He was an amazing dog. He had great recall, was so friendly so so loyal. He'd go crazy at any dog that was bothering my, much bigger, dog. Saw off anyone he thought I didn't like. He was lovely and I have a huge soft spot for Jack russells because of him :) he was bloody noisy though 😂

I grew up with two

They were always yapping and fighting

Small dogs with huge personality is how I would describe them

Go ahead and adopt the dog, I doubt you will regret it