Jack Russell Terriers

In the middle of 1800, Parson Jack Russell who was supposed to be an avid fox hunter, decided that he needed a better terrier to hunt down the quarries. He wanted a terrier that could stand out amidst the foxes and yet possessed all the hunting and tracking abilities like a hound dog. He managed to breed what is now called one of the finest strains of terriers for hunting foxes.
If you look at a Jack Russell Terrier, you will notice that it is a very happy and energetic dog that always tries to be involved in the activities that you are doing. In addition they are very loyal and intelligent though they can be stubborn and very assertive at times.

Their greatest characteristic is their hunting ability that has been in their blood for years. Though they are gaining immense popularity as house pets, they are still a little unpredictable and are not for everyone. They can adapt well to any kind of environment but it has been found that their first and foremost instinct is to hunt. If you are patient and have experience, training dogs then the Jack Russell may be a good choice for you and may actually make you a perfect companion.

The Jack Russell terrier was a great hunting dog because of its tremendous vitality and flexibility. These same characteristics also make it a good house pet provided the family knows how to treat and handle the Jack Russell Terrier. Since it stands at just about twelve inches high and weighs barely fourteen pounds or so, this is a perfect pet for an apartment or a small house.

As we have mentioned before, the Jack Russell Terrier needs an experienced owner to train him and handle him later on. By nature, this dog is stubborn and likes to assert itself just as it may have done during the hunting trips in the past. It also has a bad tendency to want to attack other animals. Therefore if you already have pets, bringing in a Jack Russell may not be such a good idea. Many families who are fooled by the small size and sweet look of the terrier bring home a Jack Russell though they already own a cat and maybe another bird. This can often lead to some unfortunate and tragic situations. It also causes many Jack Russell Terriers to be abandoned very quickly by their new owner, as they are termed unusually violent.

However, if you are keen on getting a Jack Russell for your home, you may want to carry out some proper research and understand what it takes to own a Jack Russell as well as to train it.

If you already have experience, training dogs or put in the necessary efforts in understanding what is needed to handle these dogs, chances are the terrier too will respond positively. You need to give him plenty of attention, involve him in many activities and discipline him when needed.

In other words, treat a Jack Russell Terrier like a child. Give it plenty of love and affection but also deal with a firm hand and you will find yourself showered with love from your pet.