Jack Russell Terrier — breed guide

At a glance

Group

terrier

Size

Small

Weight

5–8 kg (11–18 lb)

Life span

13–16 years

Coat

Smooth, broken or rough white-based coat

Living with a Jack Russell Terrier

• Very high energy — built for work and long days out.
• Almost no grooming.
• Moderate shedding.
• Trainable with consistency.
• Very vocal.
• Can do well with children, with care — easier with older kids than toddlers.
• Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
• Not a safe bet with cats — this is prey drive rather than a training problem.
• Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
• Better with previous experience behind you.
• Average heat tolerance.
• Average cold tolerance.

Temperament

Fearless · Lively · Clever · Tireless

Health to watch

• Luxating patella
• Deafness
• Lens luxation
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes

Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.

Did you know

Bred by a parson for fox hunts, Jack Russells have starred everywhere from Frasier (Eddie) to The Artist (Uggie).

Questions people ask

Is a Jack Russell Terrier good with kids?

With care. Jack Russell Terriers generally do well with older children who already know how to behave around a dog; with toddlers, supervise every interaction and give the animal somewhere it can retreat to.

Is a Jack Russell Terrier good with cats?

Usually not. This is prey drive rather than a training problem — a cat that runs can trigger it in a dog that is otherwise impeccably behaved.

How much exercise does a Jack Russell Terrier need?

Hours — this breed needs a job or a long day out.

Can a Jack Russell Terrier handle hot weather?

About average — use normal hot-day sense.