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!

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 KC 100% drives the show/working split because KC shows reward dogs entirely based on how they look. The field-line dogs do change a bit in appearance over time but they retain the ability to do the job. If you look at the Labs that win at Crufts compared to the ones that win field trials, the difference is stark.

Personally I don't have a problem with the breeding of less drivey and demanding dogs for the pet market, because field-line dogs are bloody hard work and not suited to life mostly on the sofa, but those dogs are often not true the breed type in terms of temperament. There needs to be more honesty about this from the KC, rather than the bollocks you get at Crufts about 'now we see the Labrador, developed to go all day in the shooting field, a sturdy dog...' as a fat dog that has never seen a pheasant waddles round the ring.

The same will be for JRT so use the KC or champ
The JRT survived true to type in looks and drive outside the KC for decades if not centuries. If you want a dog that looks like a JRT but is less likely to get stuck down a warren, go for a KC one. If you want a JRT which will behave like a JRT (and probably come from a wider and very robust gene pool) contact one of the independent clubs or chat to a gamekeeper.

And any pedigree dog, registered or not, can be used to produce dodgy crossbreds.

@schloss I'm not having a go at you even if it sounds like it, it's the KC that pisses me off.