Breed info
THE HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL
The Jack Russell Terrier is a dog which will fill your whole life. It requires a lot
of time and attention, but in return you will have a friend for life.
It takes it's name from the reverend John Russell, who was called Parson Jack.
Parson Jack was born in Devonshire, England in 1795. He inherited his fathers love for
foxhunting and horses.
Theearly 1800 was a significant time for this breed, as it was at that time while
studying in Oxford, Jack came across a milkman, who on the back of his carriage
carried a small white terrier, TRUMP - Jack had found the dog of his life, she
was to be the ancestress for all Jack Russells.
Trump was mainly white with slight brown markings on her head and by the root of her
tail, her thick coat was only slightly broken, but strong enough to give good
protection against any kind of weather; Trump was ideal for working fox.
In 1873 Parson Jack Russell was one of the founders of the Kennel Club of Great
Britain. In his breeding he concentrated on the working abilities of his dogs.
THE JACK RUSSELL TODAY
THE JACK RUSSELL IS A BIG DOG IN A SMALL SIZE!
You can, and should exercise almost anything with the Jack Russell Terrier, but
he is at his best in sports that require agility and resourcefulness. The Jack
Russell Terrier is therefore most at home in an active family as he requires a
lot of exercise compared to his size, this is not a lap dog! The Jack Russell is
also a famous companion for the horse and the horseowner and is common sight at
the stables.
Suomen Jack Russell Terrierit ry is an active organisation that keeps records and
organises shows and other events for the Jack Russell Terriers in Finland.
The Jack Russell Terrier breed was approved by the FCI in 2001 and
during 2001 over three hundred Jacks were registered in the Finnish Kennel Club
register.
Popularity of the breed seems to be growing.
This table will show you how many Jack Russell Terriers were registered in Finland each year by the Finnish Kennel Club.
| Year: | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| Dogs: | 333 | 345 | 326 | 394 | 492 | 695 |
 |
BREED STANDARD |
Brief historical summary: The Jack Russell Terrier originated in England in the
1800's due to the efforts of the Reverend John Russell. He developed a strain
of Fox Terriers to suit his needs for a dog to run with his foxhounds and go to
ground to bolt the fox and other quarry from their dens. Two varieties evolved
with basically similar Standards except for differences, mainly in height and
proportions. The taller, more squarely built dog is now known as the Parson
Russell Terrier and the shorter, slightly longer proportioned dog, is known as
the Jack Russell Terrier.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: A strong, active, lithe working Terrier of great character
with flexible body of medium length. His smart movement matches his keen
expression.
Tail docking is optional and the coat may be smooth, rough or broken.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
- The overall dog is longer than high
- The depth of the body from the withers to the brisket should equal the length
of foreleg from elbows to the ground
- The girth behind the elbows should be about 40 to 43 cm
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: A lively, alert and active Terrier with a keen, intelligent
expression. Bold and fearless, friendly but quietly confident.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION:
SKULL: The skull should be flat and of moderate width gradually decreasing in
width to the eyes and tapering to a wide muzzle.
STOP: Well defined but not over pronounced.
FACIAL REGION:
NOSE: Black
MUZZLE: The length from the stop to the nose should be slightly shorter than
from the stop to the occiput.
LIPS: Tight-fitting and pigmented black.
JAWS/TEETH: Very strong, deep, wide and powerful. Strong teeth closing to a
scissor bite.
EYES - Small dark and with keen expression. MUST not be prominent and
eyelids should fit closely. The eyelid rims should be pigmented black.
Almond shape.
EARS: Button or dropped of good texture and great mobility.
CHEEKS: The cheek muscles should be well developed.
NECK: Strong and clean allowing head to be carried with poise.
BODY:
GENERAL: Rectangular
BACK: Level. The length from the winthers to the root of tail slightly greater
than the height from the withers to the ground.
LOIN: The loins should be short, strong and deeply muscled.
CHEST: Chest
deep rather than wide, with good clearance from the ground, enabling the brisket
to be located at the height mid-way between the ground and the withers. Ribs
should be well sprung from the spine, flattening on the sides so that the girth
behind the elbows can be spanned by two hands - about 40 cms to 43 cms.
STERNUM: Point of sternum clearly in front of the point of shoulder.
TAIL: May droop at rest. When moving should be erect and if docked the tip
should be on the same level as ears.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS
SHOULDERS: Well sloped back and not heavily loaded with muscle. Forelegs:
Straight in bone from the shoulder to the toes whether viewed from the front or
the side.
Upper arm: Of sufficient length and angulation ensure elbows are set under the
body.
HINDQUARTERS: Strong and muscular, balanced in proportion to the shoulder.
STIFLES: Well angulated.
Rear pastern (Metatarsus): Parallel when viewed from behind while in free
standing position.
Hock joints: Low set.
FEET: Round, hard, padded, not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in
nor out.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: True, free and springy.
COAT
HAIR: May be smooth, broken or rough. Must be weatherproof. Coats should not be
altered (stripped out) to appear smooth or broken.
COLOUR: White MUST predominate with black and/or tan markings.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Ideal Height: 25 cms (10 ins) to 30 cms (12 ins). Weight: Being the
equivalent of 1 kg to each 5 cms in height, i.e. a 25 cm high dog should weigh
approximately 5 kg and a 30 cm high dog should weigh 6 kg.
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and
the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree. However, the following weaknesses should be
particularly penalised:
- Lack of true Terrier characteristics
- Lack of balance, i.e. over exaggeration of any points
- Sluggish or unsound movement
- Faulty mouth
N.B.:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into
the scrotum.
This text is copy from the site of Suomen Jacksusselinterrierit ry association.
