Jack Russell Terrier puppies are small, active dogs with roots in England bred as fox-hunting dogs. Today, they are popular canine companions for families who understand how to meet this energetic dog’s needs via exercise and mental stimulation.
Jack Russell Terriers may be small, but don’t tell them that! These fearless, bold dogs have a personality that supersedes their small sizes. They love being outside playing and in the middle of the action when inside. Jack Russell Terriers are also clownish dogs that will make you laugh at their silly antics.
Thinking of becoming a Jack Russell Terrier puppy owner? Find out more about what it’s like to live with these feisty, energetic dogs when considering Jack Russell Terrier puppies with our ultimate Jack Russell Terrier puppy ownership guide.
The Popularity of Jack Russell Terriers
You may recognize some famous Jack Russell Terriers from television shows and movies. Moose the Jack Russell Terrier played Eddie in the sitcom Frasier, where he would give Kelsey Grammer a long stare as a gag, and appeared on several magazine covers and other TV programs.
Many parents and children will easily recognize Wishbone played by Soccer the Jack Russell Terrier on the Emmy award-winning PBS Kids show which ran from 1995-1998. Wishbone dressed up each episode as his daydream of being the main character from various classic stories and fairy tales.
Uggie the Jack Rusell Terrier was the first dog to place a paw print on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for its role in Water For Elephants and The Artist. Other movies with Jack Russell Terriers include Friday in Hotel for Dogs and Skip in My Dog Skip.
Several famous people also enjoy the company of spunky Jack Russell Terriers. King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, Audrey Hepburn, Mariah Carey, Charlie Chapman, and J. K. Rowling love these endearing, comical dogs.
Reverend John “The Sporting Parson” Russell
Does an Official Jack Russell Terrier Breed Exist?
If you’re looking for information about Jack Russell Terrier puppies, you might make a confusing discovery. Some organizations like the AKC do not recognize a stand-alone Jack Russell Terrier breed. Instead, there are two breeds, a Parson Russell Terrier and a Russell Terrier, that are closely related. How did the three become associated with one another?
In the early 1800s, a reverend from England named Reverend John “The Sporting Parson” Russell had two passions: His ministry and his fox-hunting terriers. He wanted to develop an ideal terrier for below and above-ground fox hunting with a coat to distinguish it from its prey.
Russell took a variety of small earth dogs used specifically in fox hunts and bred them to be aggressive in their pursuit yet not harm the prey in any way. They were also bred to be able to outsmart the fox and anticipate its habits. While it’s unknown which exact dog breeds were used in his crossbreeds, it’s widely thought that Fox Terriers, Bull Terriers, Beagles, and the now-extinct White Terriers were prominently in the mix.
After Russell’s death, a variety of people took these terriers and bred them with slight variations, including the Parson Russell Terrier (with longer legs) and Russell Terrier (with shorter legs), transitioning to hunting badgers in addition to foxes. Over time, American Jack Russell Terriers developed their own distinct set of characteristics.
Today, Jack Russell Terrier owners can be members of the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, an organization that recognizes there is no “ideal” Jack Russell Terrier. They also believe the Parson Russell and the Russell are variants of the Jack Russell, and their characteristics meet those described in the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America breed standard.
What Does a Jack Russell Terrier Puppy Look Like?
Jack Russell Terrier puppies are small, standing 10 to 15 in. tall and weighing 13-17 lbs. While there is no set standard for their colors, most Jack Russell Terrier puppies will be white with black, lemon, or tan markings and can come in a variety of color combinations as well with markings on the head and tail.
Jack Russell Terrier puppies will develop strong, powerful jaws, a wide muzzle, and a compact, athletic body. They have a lively, alert expression and peer at you with dark, almond-shaped eyes.
Coat Type & Grooming Needs of Jack Russell Terrier Puppies
Within one dog breed, you can find three Jack Russell Terrier coat varieties: Smooth, rough, and broken. All varieties are double coats, which means there is a stiff weatherproof outer layer and a soft, downy inner layer that both cools a dog down and keeps them warm depending on the temperature. Jack Russell Terrier puppies should never be shaved because you will take away their ability to regulate their body temperatures if the layers are missing and cannot work together.
These puppies shed quite a bit, so be prepared to manage dog hair in your home. You can keep their coats healthy by brushing them a few times a week, bathing them when they get stinky, and feeding them a high-quality diet to keep their skin and coat in great condition. Regular nail trimming, dental care, and inspecting their eyes and ears for infections will keep them in top shape as well.
Activity Level of Jack Russell Terrier Puppies
By now, you have probably gathered that Jack Russell Terrier puppies are not a great choice of dog breed for those looking for a cuddly couch potato dog that will curl up with you for hours. Because they are working terriers, Jack Russell Terrier puppies need at least 45-60 minutes of intense exercise a day – perfect for active families ready to devote the time and attention needed to fulfill their exercise needs.
You can make sure your Jack Russell Terrier puppy gets enough mental stimulation and physical exercise a day in a variety of ways. They will always love playing fetch and running around off-leash in a secured enclosed area such as a dog park or fenced-in yard. Jack Russell Terriers also have incredible stamina and endurance thanks to their hunting roots, so they will usually outlast even the most active person. For this reason, they do well on long walks and even short runs with their owners.
What’s it Like to Train Jack Russell Terrier Puppies?
Because they are highly clever dogs, training a Jack Russell Terrier can be both a rewarding and somewhat frustrating experience. Jack Russell Terriers can get bored easily, so you will need to keep your training sessions fun, fresh, and exciting. Use gentle but firm techniques. Jack Rusell Terriers will not respond well to harsh training methods, as they may become fearful and anxious, lashing out instead of obeying due to poor treatment.
Do you recall? A Jack Russell Terrier barks, “No”
Jack Russell Terriers love to bark without being aggressive. They will bark when they want to get your attention, are bored, anxious, or hungry, or want to go outside. Their bark is a natural reaction to something, so you will need to find a training method that reduces reactivity to stimuli. Their bark can have a variety of variations, including a high-pitched bark that mimics a fox’s, a deep bark a yappy yip, and other funny sounds like groaning, moaning, or grumbling.
Start when they are puppies to train your Jack Russell Terrier not to bark excessively so you (and those around you) can have some peace. Be aware of their barking level if you live in apartments or living arrangements close to neighbors.
Jump for joy
Jack Russell Terrier puppies may be small, but they might as well have a Tigger living inside of them. Jack Russell Terriers can jump up to five feet high, which means you’ll need to not have a false sense of security with what you may consider to be a tall fence! Plenty of Jack Russell Terriers have decided to go exploring and jump the fence for some freedom.
Can you dig it?
While there is no official test to measure how much a dog breed loves to dig, be aware that digging is one of a Jack Russel Terrier’s favorite activities.
A penchant for digging can be a major frustration for some Jack Russel Terrier puppy owners. However, it’s important to recognize this is an innate behavior they are born with. They are not trying to make you mad with this behavior humans deem as a nuisance. Jack Russell Terrier puppies dig for several reasons: To find prey, make an escape route, dig a shelter, or are bored or anxious. Sometimes we don’t even know why they dig – but boy, do they!
You can acknowledge and redirect this natural, hard-wired behavior in a few ways. Teach them to build in a designated space by building a dig box to use inside or outside. You can also use what’s called a snuffle mat, a flat piece of material or rubber with a variety of textures where you can hide treats and toys that require effort on their part to get them out as a reward.
If you have a fenced-in area, keep in mind you may need to reinforce the bottom of the fence a few feet into the ground. Jack Russell Terrier puppies can escape by digging a hole and shimmy under the fence.
Dog sports combine training, activity, and bonding
Enrolling your Jack Russell Terrier puppy in dog sports such as agility and hurdle racing enriches their lives by satisfying their need for constant action. When given specific directions in a controlled environment, they can zoom around and jump to their heart’s content with a fun treat at the end.
Caring For Your Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
While Jack Russell Terrier puppies are quite active by nature, they can still be affected by being overweight. Be careful not to overfeed them food, dog treats, and especially table scraps. Obesity in dogs is a major health problem but is thankfully completely avoidable. Your role in managing your puppy’s diet and exercise routine and providing high-quality, nutritious food is paramount for maintaining the healthy weight of your Jack Russell Terrier puppy.
Like any breed, Jack Russell Terrier puppies have a few health issues to watch out for. Common health problems in Jack Russell Terriers are joint issues, bladder and kidney stones, deafness, glaucoma, allergies, epilepsy, Cushing’s Disease, and skin problems. However, your Jack Russell Terrier can live a long life of 13-16 years if you take them to the vet for regular visits and keep them up to date on their vaccinations.
Where Can I Find Jack Russell Terrier Puppies?
Searching online for a Jack Russell Terrier puppy can yield mixed results depending on where you look. You may be tempted to check out some enticing posts on social media sites and message boards.
Because young puppies of various breeds look similar to each other, you might not even be able to verify those puppies are indeed Jack Russell Terriers. Casual posts could come from backyard breeders looking to make some money off unsuspecting people. Unverified forms of payment like cash, money apps, and wire transfers give you no protection from scammers. These puppies will not have health records to prove they’ve gotten the first set of core vaccines every puppy needs.
Pawrade Offers Happy Jack Russell Terrier Puppies
If you can’t find one locally, have no fear – Pawrade works with Jack Russell Terriers across the United States and offers a variety of travel options to meet your Pawrade puppy:
- Meet in a local, mutually convenient public spot
- Delivery via our trusted ground transportation breeders
- Fly with a flight nanny service
- Fly standard delivery with an approved airline following their guidelines
All of our Jack Russell Terrier puppies come from our trusted, pre-screened Jack Rusell Terrier breeders who have passed our rigorous vetting process. Each puppy comes with a comprehensive 3-year health guarantee with all prior health records. We offer secure transactions through PetPay, a scam-free transaction management system designed to make the process smooth and secure, and will never ask for payment via check, an app, or wire transfer.
If you’ve looked at our Jack Russell Terrier puppies for sale, you can rest assured you’ll be receiving the spunkiest four-legged friend you’ve ever had. We can’t wait to help you find one! Contact our Puppy Concierge team to get the process started of becoming a Jack Russell Terrier puppy owner.
