History
The Jack Russell Terrier is named after The Reverend John Russell who was born on the 21st of December, 1795. He was a lover of dogs, both hounds and terriers. He was an enthusiastic hunter his entire life, and a very colorful individual.
In the mid 1800's there was no such thing as a kennel club and people used and bred dogs for whatever purpose suited them. The terriers that the Rev. Russell kept were known as foxterriers. Almost any small white bodied terrier in those days that excelled at
working fox were called "Fox Terriers". There was no registry and no standard except for their ability to work.
Toward the end of his life and afterward, the Rev. Jack Russell's terriers were very well known for their hunting
ability and greatly prized by other breeders that could obtain them or their bloodlines.
The Foxterrier went into the KC in the late 1800's. As the show fanciers bred and changed the terrier, they were quickly ruined for the purpose of hunting. There were numerous working terriermen that also hunted with terriers similar and/or related to the Reverends.
The KC's interest in the show ring and the terrierman's interest in working caused what was formerly called the
Foxterrier to became bifurcated into two separate breeds with separate purposes.
In memory of a great terrierman, the white bodied terriers that remained true to the purpose that the Reverend used them for became known as
Jack Russell Terriers instead of Fox Terriers, no matter if they were actually descended from the Reverends stock
or not.
It is said that the Reverend Jack Russell Prefered to hunt with a dog that was 14" tall and weighed 14 lbs.
Breed Standard
Note: An attempt has been made to show both the JRTCA and the AKC breed standards.
Characteristics
The terrier must present a lively, active and alert appearance. It should impress with its fearless and happy disposition. It should be remembered that the Jack Russell is a working terrier and should retain these instincts. Nervousness, cowardice or over-aggressiveness should be discouraged and it should always appear confident.
General Appearance
A sturdy, tough terrier, very much on its toes all the time, measuring between 10" and 15" at the withers. The body length must be in proportion to the height, and it should present a compact, balanced image, always being in solid, hard condition. (Dogs failing to meet the standard are not registered by the JRTCA.)
AKC only recognizes 12"-15" Jack Russells. Ideal size 13 for females and 14 for males. They also have an ideal ratio for height to length of 6:5 with the dog being slightly taller than long.
Head
Should be well balanced and in proportion to the body. The skull should be flat, of moderate width at the ears, narrowing to the eyes. There should be a defined stop but not overpronounced. The length of the muzzle from the nose to the stop should be slightly shorter than the distance from the stop to the occiput. The nose should be black. The jaw should be powerful and well boned with strongly muscled cheeks.
AKC - Skull --Flat and fairly broad between the ears, narrowing slightly to the eyes. The stop is well defined but not prominent. Muzzle -- Length from nose to stop is slightly shorter than the distance from stop to occiput. Jaws -- Upper and lower are of fair and punishing strength. Nose -- Must be black and fully pigmented. Disqualification - Liver color nose.
Eyes
Should be almond shaped, dark in color and full of life and intelligence.
AKC adds that Dark rims are desirable. Faults -- Light or yellow eye, round eye.
Ears
Small "V" shaped drop ears carried forward close to the head and of moderate thickness. (Prick Ear dogs are not registered)
AKC - Button ear. Small "V" shaped drop ears of moderate thickness carried forward close to the head with the tip so as to cover the orifice and pointing toward the eye. Fold is level with the top of the skull or slightly above. When alert, ear tips do not extend below the corner of the eye. Faults - Hound ear, fleshy ear, rounded tips. Disqualification - Prick ears.
Mouth
Strong teeth with the top slightly overlapping the lower. Scissor Bite is prefered, Level Bite is allowed and the dog is not registered if they have an Undershot Bite or Overshot Bite.
AKC - Bite -- Teeth are large with complete dentition in a perfect scissors bite, i.e., upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and teeth set square to the jaws. Disqualifications - Four or more missing teeth. Overshot, under-shot or wry mouth.
Neck
Clean and muscular, of good length, gradually widening at the shoulders.
AKC - Clean and muscular, moderately arched, of fair length, gradually widening so as to blend well into the shoulders.
Forequarters
The shoulders should be sloping and well laid back, fine at points and clearly cut at the withers. Forelegs should be strong and straight boned with joints in correct alignment. Elbows hanging perpendicular to the body and working free of the sides.
AKC - Shoulders -- Long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at the withers. Point of shoulder sits in a plane behind the point of the prosternum. The shoulder blade and upper arm are of approximately the same length; forelegs are placed well under the dog. Elbows -- hang perpendicular to the body, working free of the sides. Legs are strong and straight with good bone. Joints turn neither in nor out. Pasterns -- firm and nearly straight. Feet -- Round, cat-like, very compact, the pads thick and tough, the toes moderately arched pointing forward, turned neither in nor out. Fault -- Hare feet.
Body
The chest should be shallow, narrow and the front legs not too widely apart, giving an athletic, rather than heavily chested appearance. As a guide only, the chest should be small enough to be easily spanned behind the shoulders, by average sized hands, when the terrier is in a fit, working condition. The back should be strong, straight and, in comparison to the height of the terrier, give a balanced image. The loin should be slightly arched.
AKC - Body - in overall length to height proportion, the dog appears approximately square and balanced. The back is neither short nor long. The back gives no appearance of slackness but is laterally flexible, so that he may turn around in an earth. Tuck-up is moderate. Chest -- Narrow and of moderate depth, giving and athletic rather that heavily-chested appearance; must be flexible and compressible. The ribs are fairly well sprung, oval rather than round, not extending past the level of the elbow. Topline should be strong, straight, and level in motion, the loin slightly arched. Faults -- Chest not spannable or shallow; barrel ribs.
Hindquarters
Should be strong and muscular, well put together with good angulation and bend of stifle, giving plenty of drive and propulsion. Looking from behind, the hocks must be straight.
AKC - Strong and muscular, smoothly molded, with good angulation and bend of stifle. Hocks near the ground, parallel, and driving in action. Feet as in front.
Feet
Round, hard padded, wide, of cat-like appearance, neither turning in nor out.
Tail
Should be set rather high, carried gaily and in proportion to body length, usually about four inches long, providing a good hand-hold.
AKC - Tail -- Set high, strong, carried gaily but not over the back or curled. Docked so the tip is approximately level to the skull, providing a good handhold. Faults - Tail set low or carried over the back, i.e., squirrel tail.
Coat
Smooth, without being so sparse as not to provide a certain amount of protection from the elements and undergrowth. Rough or broken coated, without being woolly.
AKC - Smooth -- Double-coated. Coarse and weatherproof. Flat but hard, dense and abundant, belly and undersides of thighs are not bare. Broken -- Double-coated. Coarse and weatherproof. Short, dense undercoat covered with a harsh, straight, tight jacket which lies flat and close to the body and legs. There is a clear outline with only a hint of eyebrows and beard. Belly and undersides of thighs are not bare. Coat does not show a strong tendency to curl or wave. No sculpted furnishings. The terrier is shown in his natural appearance not excessively groomed. Sculpturing is to be severely penalized. Faults -- Soft, silky, wooly, or curly topcoat. Lacking undercoat.
Color
White should predominate (i.e., must be more than 51% white) with tan, black, or brown markings. Brindle markings are unacceptable.
AKC - White, white with black or tan markings, or a combination of these, tri-color. Colors are clear. Markings are preferably confined to the head and root of tail. Heavy body markings are not desirable. Grizzle is acceptable and should not be confused with brindle. Disqualification -- Brindle markings.
Gait
Movement should be free, lively, well coordinated with straight action in front and behind.
AKC - Movement or action is the crucial test of conformation. The terrier's movement is free, lively, well coordinated, with straight action in front and behind. There should be ample reach and drive with a good length of stride.
Special Notes
Old scars or injuries, the result of work or accident, should not be allowed to prejudice a terrier's chance in the show ring unless they interfere with its movement or with its utility for work or stud.
A Jack Russell Terrier should not show any strong characteristics of another breed.
Faults
Shyness. Disinterest. Overly aggressive. Defects in bite. Weak jaws. Fleshy ears. Down at the shoulder. Barrel ribs. Out at elbow. Narrow hips. Straight stifles. Weak feet. Sluggish or unsound movement. Dishing. Plaiting. Toeing. Silky or woolly coats. Too much color (less than 51% white). Shrill or weak voice. Lack of muscle or skin tone. Lack of stamina or lung reserve. Evidence of foreign blood.
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