By the mid-1800s, my early ancestors were pawesome at flushing foxes out of their hiding spaces – that’s why we’re such good diggers (even though you may not like that)!Īnother English hunter, Arthur Blake Heinemann, wanted to breed a badger-hunting terrier. My earliest ancestor was Trump, an English White Terrier who was so good at helping Reverend Russell hunt foxes that the Reverend started a breeding program to create the pawfect fox terrier. In early 19th century England, a pastor and fox-hunting enthusiast named Reverend John Russell wanted to breed a little dog that could help him on the hunt.
We Jack Russell Terriers are famous for our high energy, smarts, and tenacious attitude – we can’t help it, it’s in our DNA! Even though we’re small dogs, we were bred to be working dogs (fox hunting dogs, to be exact). I can be a bit of a handful, but I promise that if you show me love, I’ll give it right back in spades! I’m also pawesome at sports like agility and flyball, which are a great way to give me the workouts I need. Don’t be surprised if you find me digging up the yard – I’m just looking for vermin! Beyond that, I’m very alert – my loud bark makes me an excellent choice for a watchdog. I’ve also got hunting dog DNA, so I’m happiest when I have a job to do.
I’m super smart with an independent spirit.
I also won’t do very well if my humans are away from home a lot – I can be naughty when I’m bored.Īll this means I need a human with training experience and a lot of patience. (Sorry!) I need to be the center of your universe. And while we’re friendly and affectionate with grownups, when it comes to little kids or other pets? Not so much. If you’re an experienced dog parent with an active lifestyle, then I’m the breed for you! We Jack Russell Terriers are not for apartment-dwelling couch potatoes – we’re super high-energy and need lots of exercise, attention, and mental stimulation from our humans to be happy.