Origin

This breed was developed in the last century by an English clergyman, Parson Jack Russell, who needed a small terrier to follow the quarry to earth.

Breed Standard

General Appearance: It is a sturdy, tough, terrier, very much on it toes all the time, measuring between 10" and 15" at the withers. The body length must be in proportion to the height, at it should present a compact, balanced image, always being in solid, hard condition.

Head: Should be balanced and in proportion to the body. The skull should be flat, of moderate width at the ears, narrowing to the eyes. There should be a defined stop but not over pronounced. The length of the muzzle from the nose to the stop should be slightly shorter than the distance from the stop to the occiput. The nose should be black. The jaw should be powerful and well boned with strongly muscled cheeks.

Eyes: Should be almond shaped, dark in color and full of life and intelligence.

Ears: Small "V" shaped drop ears carried forward close to the head and of moderate thickness.

Mouth: Strong teeth with the top slightly overlapping the lower.

Neck: Clean and muscular, of good length, gradually widening at the shoulders.

Forequarters: The shoulders should be sloping and well laid back, fine at points and clearly cut at the withers. Forelegs should be strong and straight boned with joints in correct alignment. Elbows hanging perpendicular to the body and working free of the sides.

Body: The chest should be shallow, narrow, and the front legs set not too widely apart, giving an athletic, rather than heavily chested appearance. As a guide only, the chest should be small enough to be easily spanned behind the shoulders, by average sized hands, when the terrier is in a fit, working condition. The back should be strong, straight and , in comparison to the height of the terrier, give a balanced image. The loin should be slightly arched.

Hindquarters: Should be strong and muscular, well put together with good angulation and bend of stifle, giving plenty of drive and propulsion. Looking from behind, the hocks must be straight.

Feet: Round, hard padded, of cat-like appearance, neither turning in or out.

Tail: Should be set rather high, carried gaily and in proportion to body length, usually about four inches long, providing a good hand-hold.

Coat: Smooth, without being so sparse as not to provide a certain amount of protection from the elements and under-growth. Rough or broken coated, without being wooly.

Color: White should predominate (i.e., must be more than 51% white) with tan, black, or brown markings. Brindle markings are unacceptable.

Gait: Movement should be free, lively, well coordinated with straight action in front and behind.

Personality

Courageous, devoted, obedient, lively, and highly intelligent.

Uses

Like all small terriers, it has been used for hunting small game in its lair. It was especially appreciated for the ability and rapidity with which it could burrow into even small holes. A rather rare terrier, it has passed into the ranks of the companion dog.

Note

After a period of notoriety in the mid-nineteenth century, and the death of Parson Jack Russell, the breed did not find great acceptance among dog lovers and has been in decline. Nonetheless, there still exists in England dogs of a perfectly pure breeding as their creator could have wished.

Portions of this reference have been taken from the Simon & Schuster's Guide to DOGS by Gino Pugnetti Copyright © 1980 by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A., Milano The 1995-1996 Directory of Breeders of The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Inc. Published in September 1995