Breed All About It – Dog Breeds starting With J – Jack Russell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B9c7e-6CDM

Dog Breeds starting With J – Jack Russell

Narrator: Jack Russell, the Parson Russell Terrier, no matter what you call it this dog is a live wire. Bred for speed the Jack Russell can pop 100 balloons in less than a minute.

Jonathan David: Jack Russells are a crazy breed. I mean, they're crazy in a good way but they're nuts.

Tyson Kilmer: This is a hyper dog, this is a dog that likes to run in circles and yip and yap and bark and bounce and bite things.

Narrator: These small turbo jets are natural performers, their quirky personalities and expressive faces make them a natural choice for TV and cinema. These lively bouncy dogs are bursting with energy. They're strong willed and fiercely independent. They're not for everyone.

Jonathan David: If you're going to keep a Jack Russell in an apartment you've got to guarantee that you're going to give that dog at least an hour every day to run.

Narrator: The Jack Russell Terrier originated in Southern England in the 1800s. The breed was developed from a strain of white terrier now extinct to hunt red fox above and below ground. The Jack Russell got his name from the fox hunting enthusiasts and preacher John Russell. He bred for main characteristics into the Jack Russell terrier creating one of the finest strains of terriers for hunting.

First off he bred two distinct Jack Russells. From the bottom of their paws to the top of the shoulder, these guys range in size from 12 to 16 inches. And a Jack Russell can easily jump five times his height, not impressed. Well a German Shepherd can't beat it, he jumps four times his height.

The second trait small V shaped ears. Those cute little ears, they have a purpose. They fold over to protect the inner ear from debris in the field and underground. Jack Russells come with two distinct coat textures – smooth and rough. These weatherproof double coats protect them from the elements and underbrush. The Jack Russell can be one hundred percent white. Yep, that's true. Or white with black or tan markings or a combination of all three. Jack Russells can have sensitive skin so it's a good idea to apply sunscreen.

Female Speaker: The minute you mentioned using sunscreen people think it's like this kind of cookie weird thing, but you definitely need sunscreen for a dog.

Narrator: The final characteristic is chest size.

Jonathan David: The chest is a very defining characteristic of the Jack Russell Terrier.

Narrator: Bred to burrow into tight spaces underground, a flexible and narrow chest is vital. Now even though these little Terriers are quick and tough they develop strong bonds with the humans they love. Six years ago Pat Dugan a former marine, police officer, and Vietnam vet was facing one of the hardest times in his life.

Pat Dugan: I went from speed of a hundred miles an hour 20 miles to zero miles an hour when I retired. I wasn't ready for it to end, I wanted to keep going.

Narrator: To make matters worse, Pat had recently lost his beloved dog, Lucky.

Pat Dugan: I know this sounds ridiculous but I was … I didn't want to love no more. When I buried him, yeah, I was about ready to go on the ground with it.

Narrator: Even without his friend, Lucky, Pat still took a daily walk in the park. When he least expected it, his life changed.

Pat Dugan: I saw this white spec come out of the fog. And I was wondering what is that. As soon as we got closer I realized it was a Jack Russell Terrier. I've almost felt a spark when I touched it. And that was it. It was love at first sight.

Narrator: Pat kept in touch with his local animal shelter, but no one ever did claim his dog who is now called JR.

Marilyn Casson: I said why did him JR? And he said, “Because he's a Jack Russell Terrier.”

Narrator: There was something mystical about JR's appearance in Pat's life and on veterans day JR had something to show him.

Pat Dugan: We were walking at the cemetery and he wanted more leaf.

Marilyn Casson: JR kept pulling. Him leading out the lead and junior went over and he started scratching at a gravestone that was almost obscured by debris.

Pat Dugan: So he started digging and uncovering a grave.

Marilyn Casson: And the name on the grave, Corporal Jack Russell.

Narrator: It was amazing that JR should uncover a grave marker of a veteran on veterans day with the same name as his family line Jack Russell. Pat readily admits that JR has had a profound effect on his life.

Pat Dugan: He taught me it was okay to love openly. Yeah, he taught me it was okay to love something enough that you would cry. He has to be a heavenly gift. He couldn't have come nowhere else.

Narrator: He can expect to have his buddy JR around for many years.

Female Speaker: They tend to live a very long time, upwards of 15 years or more.

Narrator: Owning a dog will make you live longer too, almost three years longer than folks who don't. They adapt well to any environment including apartment living.

Female Speaker: They are really, really durable little dogs who can do well in almost any temperature.

Narrator: Jack Russells are great for adults and fair best with children over six. They're easy to groom and have minimal shedding. The smooth types shed the most. For training it's a mixed bag.

Tyson Kilmer: It is a very intelligent dog. This is a dog that left with its own devices will definitely figure out ways to get into trouble.

Female Speaker: If you don't train a Jack Russell Terrier they can bring serious havoc in your home.

Pat Dugan: It will eat your couch, it will tear your wall off.

Narrator: If the Jack Russell is well trained and given a daily outlet to release his wild energy he can be a lively and loyal companion. If you're an experienced trainer the Jack Russell is the dog for you, but these willful dogs often outsmart the average pet owner.

Jonathan David: They have a lot of intelligence, a lot of personality. They think they're always one step ahead of you. They want to do what they want to do when they want to train you.

Narrator: Given plenty of exercise the breed does well in all environments. The Jack Russell is a sturdy breed and can live a long time. The breed needs minimal grooming and they need an experienced trainer. Jack Russells are suited best for families with older children.

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