Jack Russell Terrier Guide: Temperament, Training & Care

Jack Russell Terriers are small, bold, clever and seemingly tireless terriers that were bred in England to work alongside foxhounds. They make fun, affectionate and loyal companions, but they need a lot of exercise and mental work, have a strong urge to chase and dig, and can be strong-willed, so they suit active owners who enjoy training.

This guide brings together everything we have written about Jack Russells. Start with the overview below, then follow the links to the full articles on the topics that matter to you.

Jack Russell at a glance

Origin: southern England in the 1800s. The breed is named after the Reverend John Russell, a hunting parson who bred terriers to bolt foxes from their dens.
Size: small. The Kennel Club standard calls for a height of about 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches) at the shoulder. In the US, the AKC recognizes the closely related Parson Russell Terrier and Russell Terrier rather than a “Jack Russell Terrier”.
Coats: smooth, broken and rough. The coat is mostly white, with tan, black or tan-and-black markings.
Temperament: lively, fearless, alert and intelligent, with plenty of independence and a strong prey drive.
Health watch-outs: generally a hardy breed, but eye problems such as lens luxation and kneecap problems (patellar luxation) are seen in Jack Russells. Ask breeders about health testing and talk to your vet about anything that worries you.

Is a Jack Russell right for you?

A Jack Russell suits an active household with time to walk, play and train every day. They are usually best with older, sensible children, or with younger children they have grown up alongside. Their hunting instinct is the big question in homes with cats or other small pets: some Jack Russells live happily with a cat, especially if raised together, but many never can, so introductions need to be slow and supervised.

Energy and behavior

Most Jack Russell “problems” are a working terrier with nothing to do. Digging, barking, chasing and racing around the house usually ease when the dog gets enough exercise and something to occupy its brain. You can’t train the digging instinct out of a terrier, but you can give it an outlet, such as a digging pit or toys that let them dig for treats. Don’t expect a Jack Russell to become a couch potato, even in later life.

Intelligence and training

Jack Russells learn quickly, but learning fast is not the same as doing what you ask. They respond best to short, upbeat sessions, food or toy rewards and very consistent rules. Work on a reliable recall and a “leave it” early, because a Jack Russell that spots a squirrel may stop listening altogether.

Exercise and play

Daily walks are the minimum. Games that use the chase and hunting instinct, like a flirt pole, fetch, scent games and food puzzles, tire a Jack Russell far more than a stroll around the block. Many enjoy swimming, but always supervise them near water.

Coat and shedding

Whatever the coat type, Jack Russells shed more than their size suggests. Brushing a few times a week catches loose hair before it ends up on your sofa, and a rubber grooming mitt works well on smooth coats. Rough and broken coats may also need occasional hand-stripping to keep them neat.

Health and senior care

Jack Russells often stay active well into their senior years, so changes can be easy to miss. Watch for stiffness, weight changes, cloudy eyes, changes in mood or a dog that suddenly wants to be left alone. Trembling is often down to excitement or cold, but shaking that comes with other symptoms, or that you can’t explain, is a reason to call your vet.

Leaving your Jack Russell home alone

A bored Jack Russell left alone all day can become noisy or destructive. Exercise before you leave, give them a safe space and something to work on, like a stuffed food toy, and build up time alone gradually.