| History of the Jack Russell |
In the 19th century, the Rev. John Russell of Devonshire, England, an avid
foxhunter, developed a small dog to help him hunt fox. Following his death,
other breeds were often crossbred with some of his dogs to increase their
salability as being from "Jack Russell’s Terriers". Eventually these dogs
developed into the Jack Russell Terrier we know today. This small but brave
dog excelled at hunting fox. He was also used to hunt other small animals such
as raccoons.
The Jack Russell Terrier stands between 10 and 15 inches tall at the shoulder
(the Parson Russell is 12 to 15, the Shorty" Russells are not over 12 inches tall
at the shoulder). He may have a smooth or rough coat that is white or white
with black and/or tan markings. His small size allows him to follow his prey into
its den to flush it out
During this same time period there were other breeders who took up the
challenge to create a shorter terrier. These dogs evolved into a group of dogs
noted as the English Jack Russell Terrier. The Jack Russell has since found its
way into the hearts and homes of families throughout Britain and North
America. They are popular to this day as a working dog on farms and stables.
Like a true terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier is bold, agile, alert, and lively.
Possessing a 'big dog personality in the body of a small dog', the Jack Russell
is not the dog to back down, even when faced by other larger breeds. A loyal
and affectionate dog, he makes a good companion with early obedience
training and socialization.
It should be emphasized that the Jack Russell Terrier is used to working. On
the hunt, he is able to keep up with the horses, and therefore has a high energy
level. He requires daily outdoor exercise or a good round of fetch on days he
can't go out to play.
He is very intelligent and will invent his own entertainment if bored!
Below is an exert from the English Jack Russell of America (EJRTCA) web site
which includes the history of the "shorty" or English Jacks...
The English Jack Russell Terrier is a type of a working terrier that goes into
the earth after quarry. They are described as a small, sturdy, balanced terrier
that is slightly longer than the length of their legs. They have been bred for
hunting anything from rats to badgers since the early 1800's. The English Jack
Russell Terrier has survived because of the dedication of the people who own
them. Breeders took up the challenge to create a short terrier, with the
purpose to be able to go in the ground and bolt the varmints out of their dens.
Sometimes you have to dig down to them, because the varmint won't bolt and
the terrier will not leave the side of the quarry.
The scene in England in the 1800's was very civilized, dominated by an
intelligent, wealthy and bored upper class...very much inclined to any kind of
sport. While still a very "rural" society by modern standards, the science of
selective breeding is well advanced (more milk, more meat, and more kernels on
the cob and grains on the shaft). Meanwhile, across the country, foxes are
eating chickens, eggs, and rabbits by the score. And rats are decimating the
stores of grain and corn meant for wealth-producing livestock (not to mention
the more personal damage to the cook's stocks of cheese and bread).
On a partridge hunt, m'Lord notices one of his dogs drive a vixen to ground
and then, too big to follow the quarry into the hole, frantically attempts to dig
up the world to find where she's gone. A stag hunt produces similar
observations. Another notices one of his dogs patiently staring at a rat's
favorite entrance to the grain bins and, perhaps, witnesses the quick kills that
ensue. The idea catches on that certain dogs are both: 1) of great utility in
solving a rash of current problems and, 2) the source of a great new sport!
Enter the terrier!
Like mad scientists in the laboratory, terrier men across England began to mix
"a little of this" with "a little of that" to create the working dog they needed.
Probably starting with the old Fox Terrier, then adding Beagle, Hound,
Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dachshund,
Lakeland Terrier, pre war, old style Sealyham Terrier, West Highland White
Terrier, and who knows what else, they experimented and refined, always with
the firm focus on performance in the hunt.
The English Jack Russell Terriers have appeared in literature and prints dating
back hundreds of years. Their size has made them superior earth dogs. They
were not only used to go to ground, but also to keep the rodent population
down on farms and to help eradicate the Bubonic Plague in England.
Every effort has been made to keep the English Jack Russell Terrier from
their rightful place in the Dog World. They are movie stars, seen on television,
models in magazines, used to advertise anything from dog food to automobiles.
The public has fallen in love with them and they have brought smiles to
thousands of faces over the years. Owning an English Jack Russell Terrier is
better than watching the TV or movies. On your worst day they can make you
smile. English Jack Russell Terriers are a challenge, they own you, you do not
own them. If we can learn one thing from them it is to live life to the fullest.
The English Jack Russell Terrier is very intelligent. They learn what buttons to
push, and push they will. They make great pets but they also need discipline
and plenty of exercise. Owning an English Jack is like having a big dog in a
small body, or a two-year-old child even in their old age. They prefer to be with
you 24/7. They love to sleep with you, hunt with you, ride in the truck with you,
work with you, laugh with you and cry with you because they seem to have so
much intelligence they know when you are down and want to be by your side.
The Quorn is the largest hunt in England. Prince Charles hunts his terriers at
the Quorn where the terrier man as they are called, sets on his horse. When
the fox is located the terrier is put down the hole to bring fox up, so the ride
can began.
The English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance, Inc. or better known as the
EJRTCA provides a membership and registry that is dedicated to preserving
the English Jack Russell Terrier. They are dedicated to setting the type of
terrier that was used in the early 1800's.
foxhunter, developed a small dog to help him hunt fox. Following his death,
other breeds were often crossbred with some of his dogs to increase their
salability as being from "Jack Russell’s Terriers". Eventually these dogs
developed into the Jack Russell Terrier we know today. This small but brave
dog excelled at hunting fox. He was also used to hunt other small animals such
as raccoons.
The Jack Russell Terrier stands between 10 and 15 inches tall at the shoulder
(the Parson Russell is 12 to 15, the Shorty" Russells are not over 12 inches tall
at the shoulder). He may have a smooth or rough coat that is white or white
with black and/or tan markings. His small size allows him to follow his prey into
its den to flush it out
During this same time period there were other breeders who took up the
challenge to create a shorter terrier. These dogs evolved into a group of dogs
noted as the English Jack Russell Terrier. The Jack Russell has since found its
way into the hearts and homes of families throughout Britain and North
America. They are popular to this day as a working dog on farms and stables.
Like a true terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier is bold, agile, alert, and lively.
Possessing a 'big dog personality in the body of a small dog', the Jack Russell
is not the dog to back down, even when faced by other larger breeds. A loyal
and affectionate dog, he makes a good companion with early obedience
training and socialization.
It should be emphasized that the Jack Russell Terrier is used to working. On
the hunt, he is able to keep up with the horses, and therefore has a high energy
level. He requires daily outdoor exercise or a good round of fetch on days he
can't go out to play.
He is very intelligent and will invent his own entertainment if bored!
Below is an exert from the English Jack Russell of America (EJRTCA) web site
which includes the history of the "shorty" or English Jacks...
The English Jack Russell Terrier is a type of a working terrier that goes into
the earth after quarry. They are described as a small, sturdy, balanced terrier
that is slightly longer than the length of their legs. They have been bred for
hunting anything from rats to badgers since the early 1800's. The English Jack
Russell Terrier has survived because of the dedication of the people who own
them. Breeders took up the challenge to create a short terrier, with the
purpose to be able to go in the ground and bolt the varmints out of their dens.
Sometimes you have to dig down to them, because the varmint won't bolt and
the terrier will not leave the side of the quarry.
The scene in England in the 1800's was very civilized, dominated by an
intelligent, wealthy and bored upper class...very much inclined to any kind of
sport. While still a very "rural" society by modern standards, the science of
selective breeding is well advanced (more milk, more meat, and more kernels on
the cob and grains on the shaft). Meanwhile, across the country, foxes are
eating chickens, eggs, and rabbits by the score. And rats are decimating the
stores of grain and corn meant for wealth-producing livestock (not to mention
the more personal damage to the cook's stocks of cheese and bread).
On a partridge hunt, m'Lord notices one of his dogs drive a vixen to ground
and then, too big to follow the quarry into the hole, frantically attempts to dig
up the world to find where she's gone. A stag hunt produces similar
observations. Another notices one of his dogs patiently staring at a rat's
favorite entrance to the grain bins and, perhaps, witnesses the quick kills that
ensue. The idea catches on that certain dogs are both: 1) of great utility in
solving a rash of current problems and, 2) the source of a great new sport!
Enter the terrier!
Like mad scientists in the laboratory, terrier men across England began to mix
"a little of this" with "a little of that" to create the working dog they needed.
Probably starting with the old Fox Terrier, then adding Beagle, Hound,
Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dachshund,
Lakeland Terrier, pre war, old style Sealyham Terrier, West Highland White
Terrier, and who knows what else, they experimented and refined, always with
the firm focus on performance in the hunt.
The English Jack Russell Terriers have appeared in literature and prints dating
back hundreds of years. Their size has made them superior earth dogs. They
were not only used to go to ground, but also to keep the rodent population
down on farms and to help eradicate the Bubonic Plague in England.
Every effort has been made to keep the English Jack Russell Terrier from
their rightful place in the Dog World. They are movie stars, seen on television,
models in magazines, used to advertise anything from dog food to automobiles.
The public has fallen in love with them and they have brought smiles to
thousands of faces over the years. Owning an English Jack Russell Terrier is
better than watching the TV or movies. On your worst day they can make you
smile. English Jack Russell Terriers are a challenge, they own you, you do not
own them. If we can learn one thing from them it is to live life to the fullest.
The English Jack Russell Terrier is very intelligent. They learn what buttons to
push, and push they will. They make great pets but they also need discipline
and plenty of exercise. Owning an English Jack is like having a big dog in a
small body, or a two-year-old child even in their old age. They prefer to be with
you 24/7. They love to sleep with you, hunt with you, ride in the truck with you,
work with you, laugh with you and cry with you because they seem to have so
much intelligence they know when you are down and want to be by your side.
The Quorn is the largest hunt in England. Prince Charles hunts his terriers at
the Quorn where the terrier man as they are called, sets on his horse. When
the fox is located the terrier is put down the hole to bring fox up, so the ride
can began.
The English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance, Inc. or better known as the
EJRTCA provides a membership and registry that is dedicated to preserving
the English Jack Russell Terrier. They are dedicated to setting the type of
terrier that was used in the early 1800's.
| History of the Jack Russell |
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| bobbie@dishmail.net 208-263-1168 ©Bobbie Johnson 2011 All Rights Reserved |