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The Jack Russell Terrier Dog BreedThe Jack Russell Terrier is now officially known as the Parson Russell Terrier in the American Kennel Club. The breed is descended from a dog bred by Parson John Russell in the mid 1800’s (hence the name). It was bred for fox hunting since Parson John Russell wanted a dog that could keep up with his horses and bolt the foxes that were being hunted. This breed has gained fame recently as it has been used in a lot of different media. The Television show Fraser comes to my mind as a great example of a famous Jack. Parson Russel Terrier Size and AppearanceThis is a small member of the Terrier Dog Breeds group. It stands 12 – 15 inches (30 – 36 cm) and weighs 13-17 pounds. They are cute dogs that are normally white and often have some tan or black markings on the head or tail. They have small v-shaped ears, cheery almond shaped eyes, a tail that is carried high and fairly long legs for a small dog (they needed longer legs to keep up with the horses and dig into fox holes). Their coats are fairly short and dense. Sometimes it is smooth and other times it is harsh Personality and TemperamentThe Jack Russell Terrier is a very high energy dog that loves to play and be in the middle of the action. They are very curious dogs that love to explore and hunt. If given the opportunity they will hunt for any small animal in the area they have access to. They are quite tenacious hunters and will climb and dig to reach their goals. So a very well secured yard is important! They are best kept as the solo pet in the home because they like to be top dog and they are so independent. Early training and socialization is important for this feisty breed. They are not terribly difficult to train but their independent and energetic nature can make them a handful if they are not well trained early on. They are good with older children who understand how to handle a dog with respect and care. They may be a bit too temperamental to deal with poking and prodding toddlers. They are known for being a bit on the barky side. Overall this is a fun breed that is affectionate towards its owner and anyone it meets. They require plenty of regular exercise and enjoy opportunities to run, play and jump. The Jack Russell Terrier is among Most Popular Dog Breeds. With good care they live an average lifespan of 113-15 years.
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