Jack Russell puppy sourcing help

[SoundTheSirens]

If - very very big IF - we decided we had a Jack Russell-shaped hole in our life, where would we find a puppy from a reputable breeder? It’s so long since we last had a puppy of any breed, the landscape has changed so much.

The reason we’d prefer a puppy is because we have cats - dog-savvy cats, but with a terrier breed it would be a risk taking on an older dog who might have an established prey drive. And TBH we’ve had a series of adult rescue dogs of various breeds over the last 15 years, all with one or more significant issues, so although I’m under no illusions how full on a puppy is, we would like more of a blank canvas.

Dog history: we’ve had puppies before, including a JRT, but that was back in the pre-KC recognition days, and he was from a farm dog litter. Mostly had gundogs otherwise, with the odd mongrel / crossbreed, but would prefer something physically smaller. Set up: retired DH, I WFH FT, we have a reasonable sized secure garden but a small house, hence wanting something smaller than a gundog, plus JRTs are my husband’s favourite. No kids, lots of friendly neighbours with dogs who would probably help with socialisation if we asked them, best friend who pet-sits for us if we’re away is an ex-vet nurse, country park and beach in easy distance.

It’s not definite we’ll go ahead but it dawned on me that if we do, I have no idea how to find a good, responsible JRT breeder!

Champ dogs/Kennel Club - search for breeders near you. Always cross-reference the two - not all breeders are on both. The KC is v. good for giving history of the dogs (how many litters they've sired/birthed etc) and the scores very accessibly but not all KC registered breeders are good/ethical ones.

I can't give specific JR advice (I know nothing about the breed) but to find a good breeder you usually follow the same process regardless of the breed🙂

Once you've done your research (i.e. on Champ Dogs/Kennel Club), give the breeder(s) a ring and say you're interested in a puppy from them. If they don't have any litters available ask whether they have a wait list and whether you could ask them a few questions - most breeders are VERY happy to talk. You can ask:

• Their set up (how many dogs do they have, how many generations, how many breeding bitches - more than two breeding bitches is usually a red flag because if they have that many breeding bitches they're almost certainly not taking proper care of the other ones when they have a litter ready)
• When they will have their next litter
• How they socialise the puppies (even small things like the hoover etc)
• Parents health checks (obviously these will be breed specifics)
• How many litters the mum will have had (responsible breeders don't do more than two litters per bitch IME) and how old she is (should be more than 2)
• What they do with the bitches when they finish breeding them (if they dump them off then chances are they are a crap breeder who cares nothing for their dogs although some rehome older dogs to people they know (usually older people) who couldn't cope with a puppy but could with a 7-8 year old adult but this is very rarely done well).
• How many years they have been breeding

If they're really keen they might let you visit the bitch before she's pregnant (my mums done that recently - visited an English Setter breeder and is now on the waitlist for a puppy later this year. They were super keen to meet her in person to make sure she was the right fit for one of their puppies and she was really keen to make sure an English Setter was 100% the right choice for her before she met any puppies).

If they have puppies already (sometimes you strike gold!):

• When can you see the puppies (and can you see them all - if they don't let you see them all, then don't buy a puppy!)
• Can you see evidence of health checks (should have certificates)
• Ask about Dad (which did they choose him etc - if they're planning a litter you can ask why they chose that stud too). It's not unusual for breeders to not own the dad BUT they should be able to explain why they picked him as the stud.
• Price (too expensive or too cheap are both red flags)
• What they're looking for in a potential buyer
• Will puppies be vaccinated/wormed
• If KC registered - will there be a contract etc
• What you can offer - don't be surprised if they quiz you (if they do quiz you, that's good! You do not want to go with a breeder who asks no questions about you)

If the above answer to any of those yes/no questions is 'No' then move on and find a new potential breeder.

Above all. Don't necessarily settle on the first breeder you come across/the closest breeder to you. Be prepared to shop around.

If you're not happy with a breeder then please don't buy a puppy because you feel sorry for its circumstances/want to help it. I know it's tempting, but chances are it'll be unhealthy and you're only lining the pockets of the puppy farmers.

Best of luck, OP! JR aren't a dog I've had before, but they always seem like feisty things - so you're sure to have lots of excitement in your life if you go ahead!

When I was looking before I ended up taking my JRT puppy off a friend's parents hands.

I found House of Jack's online. A JRT breeder based near Weston Super Mare. They were incredibly helpful, sent me images and videos on WhatsApp of their set up and pups. Are fully certified and welcome/ encourage people to come and visit them regularly as the pup is born and grows before it's ready to come home.

I would have gone with them. Good luck in your research though and congratulations on potential JRT ownership, they are fab little dogs.

That's exactly the sort of breeder I was warning OP about in my original post...

https://www.houseofjacks.co.uk/copy-of-home

Five breeding bitches. Three males. - How on earth do they actually proper care for/exercise and look after that many dogs? Answer. They don't.

They have a whole page dedicated to 'retired dogs' - aka dogs that are dumped when they have served their purpose (AKA can no longer be bred from). No dogs older than four years old. Why? Because they shaft them off when they can't earn a quick buck from them anymore.

Those aren't ethical breeders. They are puppy farmers. 5* council license means nothing - my garden gnome could get that.

They can dress it up with a fancy website...but they are puppy farmers. Their website even says 'refer a friend and get £50 off' ffs.😂

Thanks @Devilshands. You’ve reminded me that we were initially put onto our old GR puppy breeder through Champdogs, I’d forgotten about that site so that’s a useful prompt.

If we do go ahead I’ll be happy to wait for the right puppy and fully prepared to be quizzed. In our old home we were home checkers and fundraisers for a local spaniel rescue, so I’ve seen firsthand what can happen when people rush into it, or don’t do their research.

I honestly wouldn't go for a KC registered JRT: the biggest UK JRT club overwhelmingly opposed the breed being taken into the KC and using the same name. This is because the KC has form for buggering up working breeds or splitting them into show and working lines (labs, cockers, springers, etc). They've had the JRT in once if not twice before (fox terrier and Parson Russell terrier)

If I were to get another JRT, I'd ask around, but I'm in the fortunate position of knowing farmers and gamekeepers and being in and out of the agricultural suppliers where you see handy adverts on the noticeboard.

Working JRTs are prey-driven little shits with attitudinal issues, but wonderful dogs all the same. Ours lived successfully with a cat (as many farm JRTs do).

Wederdena’s terriers

https://www.wederdenasterriers.co.uk/

Again… SIX stud dogs with no mention of how many bitches red flag central

I would as with all things, speak to a breed club (and as a PP said not worry about KC reg in this instance) and they will be able to get you in touch with an ethical breeder

Incredible isn’t it?

A fancy website is all it takes for people to blindly support puppy farmers.

I think people are convinced if it’s not an operation being run out of an old stables in South wales that it’s fine…

I’m not bothered about KC reg for a JRT as we’d have no intention of breeding or showing, just would want as much certainty as possible it was a reputable breeder breeding from healthy dogs! When I was younger I knew more farm people who bred the kind of tough, hardy little dog that our previous JRT was (he was a merry, feisty little soul who never had a day’s illness in his life until he was 15) but not so much these days.

This Is exactly why I wanted to ask here: I could have just googled “Jack Russell puppies” but I know there are too many flashy websites acting as a front for puppy farmers.

ETA: that was supposed to quote the post with that FB link.

Have name changed for this. I actually know the people who run House of Jacks and all I can say is I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. She came out of prison for running a brothel in Weston and money laundering and then decided to start a puppy farm instead. She focuses on breeding rare and unusual colours which she charges a ridiculous premium for, rather than actually breeding Jack Russels to a good standard

All info about her and her standards can be found by doing a bit of Googling. Yes she has a fancy website and all that but it really means fuck all

I went on the house of jacks website and how merle and dilute blue aren’t huge red flags in an age where so much information about ethical breeding is so readily available is infuriating.

Make sure you do get a KC registered puppy - if you want a pedigree breed. Registeration is for pedigree dogs, not just if you want to show or work.

Do not support those breeding non registered pedigrees of any breed. It is the non-registered pedigrees which are used by the puppy farms and the individuals who create the silly named crossed breeds.

It is not the KC which splits breeds into show and working types the breeders breed certain types - labradors are registered as labrador retrievers to the same published breed standard, yet dependant on the breeder they can look very different. The same will be for JRT so use the KC or champ dogs to find a breeder you are happy with. People with more than one bitch are not always "bad" - do your research on the breeders affix and take it from there. Remember a good breeder will check you out as much as you check them.

Finally, have a look at the Parsons Russel terrier as well as the JRT.

For a JRT you're probably best to make sure you know how to spot a less than ideal set up (check out https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/could-you-spot-a-puppy-farm but rspca, kennel club, dogs trust also have information on this)
and then to ask around, check out noticeboards at farm supply stores and the like, and when you visit be prepared to walk away if you're not happy.

Wederdena is a very well respected KC-registered breeder but if you want to decide it’s a puppy farm then shrug.

You asked for a recommendation of a reputable JRT breeder so that was what I provided.

This is good advice (I think!) might also ask a vet- I’ve seen that here?

Genuine question.

I thought merle and lilac were raging red flags for bad breeding?

@Devilshands

your reply should become a pinned post in The Dogs House.

I agree. I’ve actually cut, paste and emailed it to myself!

As one day will likely get another and will never find the post again!

Thank you both😁I cannot claim credit (sadly) as it's the advice my parents gave me! I have it saved in a word document for when I (inevitably) add to my ever-growing number of dogs

Aww that’s lovely! 😊Passing on their wisdom.

@SoundTheSirens I do know a very well respected breeder of JRT pm if you require the affix and their name.

Adding to the excellent advice already posted, our farm shop, which sells pet food and smallholder supplies , often has adverts on its noticeboard for rural-bred terrier puppies.