Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a dog with a temperament that thrives on action and adventure.

About the Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers are packed full of personality and character, and can out-run and exhaust dogs of a much larger size. As such they need a great deal of exercise and stimulation every day.

Jack Russell Terriers are often a popular breed with horse owners as many of these terriers love nothing better than busying themselves around the stables and keeping up with the horse riders when they go out.

Source: key facts and characteristics sourced from Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Breed specifics

Country: United Kingdom
Group: FCI Group 3, AKC Terrier Group
Size category: Small
Avg life expectancy: 13–16 years

Lively / Alert / Intelligent / Confident / Friendly / Enthusiastic

Key facts

Loves to hunt
Makes a great sporting dog
Needs a lot of training

Jack Russell Terrier adult lying down in black and white

Origins of the breed

Jack Russell Terriers are believed to be one of the most active and agile small dog breeds in the world. Despite originally being developed in England in the mid-1800’s, the Jack Russell Terrier has only been recognised as a pedigree breed by the U.K. Kennel Club since January 1st, 2016.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier was previously identified as a “type” and not a breed due to the wide diversity of dogs that were described as Jack Russell Terriers. The breed standard as recognised by the U.K. Kennel Club is still to be drawn up.