A cute Jack Russell in long grass

Jack Russell Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Hardy, healthy and with loads of energy, Jack Russells are happiest when they’ve got a job to do!  But it’s definitely not a case of all work and no play with these little guys. Walk through the door and their joy at having you home is obvious. And with that special combination of loyalty, affection and enthusiasm, it’s no surprise that this is one of the UK’s best-loved breeds.

Jack Russell Terrier Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Terrier
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
13 - 16 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small
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Weight
6 - 8 kg
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Height
26 - 33 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Active, fearless, vocal
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
60 mins per day
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Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Jack Russell Terrier Right for Me?

If twice-daily long brisk walks are what you’re into, then you and your Jack Russell are likely to get along just fine. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a companion to spend hours on end chilling in front of the TV, this probably isn’t the best dog for you.

These guys can get bored easily when left to their own devices and they can also make a lot of noise. As such, they’re not ideal for you (or your neighbours!) if the house is empty for long stretches of the day.

A Jack Russell puppy with a lead wants to go walkies

What Are Jack Russell Puppies Like?

Jack Russell puppies are adorably small and fortunately they do enjoy cuddle time, but they like their own time and space as well.

From a young age, they have a hunting instinct that will get them in all kinds of trouble. Don’t leave your puppy alone in the garden as Jack Russells are prone to digging and can easily escape.

They’re an intelligent breed that responds well to training, but they can also be stubborn and will try to test you, so be consistent, convey authority and use positive reinforcement.

A wirehaired Jack Russell puppy

Life with a Jack Russell Terrier

This energetic breed is fearless and stubborn - they will happily venture off on their own especially if they catch the scent of another animal. They may be small but they have a lot of character and a loud bark to go with it.

That strong prey drive means that introducing a Jack Russell into a home where there’s a rabbit, cat or other small animal is a highly risky move. They don’t always get along with other dogs although this potential problem can be overcome with a socialisation programme from a very young age.

Although their playful side means they can easily become best buddies with older kids, Jack Russells can get very snappy - so they aren’t the best choice if there are younger children around.

Caring for Your Jack Russell

A high energy dog like this demands a good quality, fuel-rich diet. Your vet will advise on the right quantity depending on age and any specific health needs, as well as on the right proportion of dry to wet feed.

Generally, Jack Russells are not picky eaters and have a big appetite. But they do prefer a small biscuit size, as it is easier for them to eat. They can easily gain weight so will need their food weighing to make sure they are getting the right amount. Daily feeding guidelines are printed on dog food packaging. It is best to split this amount into two separate meals for an adult dog, or 3-4 for a puppy.

For grooming, these guys are low-maintenance, although their coat tends to shed all year round; more so in the Spring and Autumn. If you brush their coat twice a week or so with a slicker brush, it can go a long way in reducing the amount of hair on your floors and furniture.

Both smooth coated and rough coated Jack Russells are popular in the UK. Especially for the rough coated doggies, a twice-yearly trip to a professional

A bored, restless Jack Russell can soon lead to furniture chewing and other types of destructive behaviour. So from the moment they arrive, it’s important to focus both on training - and on giving them lots to do!

On the training front, their intelligence means that a Jack Russell can soon pick up the basics (e.g. Sit, Stay, Down, Heel and Bed). The way forward generally involves a firm (but not harsh!) manner and lots of positive reinforcement. This type of approach can also help to address some of their more antisocial traits such as their tendency to jump up at their favourite people as soon as they walk into the room (especially if you address it from a very young age).

Activity-wise, one of the best home setups for a Jack Russell involves giving them access to a well-secured back garden for them to burn off any pent up energy during the day. And of course, they’re even happier if you can take lots of time out to give them a game of fetch!

For walking, you are looking at around 60 minutes each day for an adult dog; usually split between a morning and evening session. If it’s safe to do so, this should ideally include some time off the lead.

Jack Russell Insurance

If you’re looking to bring tons of fun home, a Jack Russell could be the one for you. We’ll leave the training and exercise up to you, but we’re more than happy to look after your pups healthcare. Everypaw’s Lifetime Jack Russel Insurance can help your Jack Russell when it comes to those accidental bumps and bruises, as well as unexpected illnesses.

We have a range of Lifetime cover for you to choose from, and you can compare our policies and the extra benefits included on our dog insurance page.

Start a quote

Common Jack Russell Health Problems by Vetstream

Jack Russells are prone to several health issues, most of which are treatable or manageable with medication. Vetstream have helped out and identified the following are the most common conditions in this breed.

In a normal eye, a lens is held in place by fibres called lens zonules. Lens luxation is when there is a progressive breakdown of the lens zonules, which causes instability. Eventually, the lens will become fully loose and move forward (anterior) or backwards (posterior), causing further problems such as blindness, eye pain, redness and clouding of the eye surface.

It is a recessively inherited condition that can be tested for before breeding.

Urgent surgery is required for anterior lens luxation to remove the lens. Even after surgery, affected dogs will have poor vision. There are also risks of glaucoma or retinal detachment. In some cases, posterior lens luxation has been managed with eye drops but this is not always possible.

Luxation of the patella is when the kneecap jumps out of the groove that it is supposed to sit in to, and instead slides down one side of it. This causes the leg to lock up, making it painful to bend. Affected dogs will carry the affected leg and hop on the other.

Sometimes the patella will jump in and out of place resulting in on/off lameness. In most cases, the patella remains out of place and requires an operation to correct the problem.

Dogs born with a groove that is too shallow or ligaments that are attached to the wrong place is what causes this condition. Affected dogs should not be bred from as the condition can be passed on.

Impacted anal glands are when the anal sac is unable to be released and therefore fills up with fluid, causing infection and inflammation. The cause is unknown but is likely related to diet, external anal sphincter dysfunction, undersized anal sac ducts, or loose stools. 

Affected dogs will lick and bite their backside, have redness and swelling of the anal sac region, and will experience pain when emptying their bowels. They may also drag their bottom along the ground.

To treat the problem the anal sac needs to be emptied and flushed with antibiotic ointment by a vet. Surgery may be required in severe cases.

Atopy is a genetic predisposition to develop an allergy to environmental allergens such as pollens, moulds, house dust mites, storage mites, skin dander or dietary proteins. The immune system over-reacts to these foreign substances leading to inflammation and itchiness.

Affected dogs will lick, scratch, bite or chew themselves or scoot their backside along the floor. They also have recurrent ear or skin infections – the most affected areas being their pads, armpits, face, ears and groin area.

Treatment involves avoiding the allergens, feeding a diet high in fatty acids, anti-inflammatory medications or desensitisation vaccinations.

Quick Jack Russell Terrier Q&A

Jack Russells have a life expectancy of 13-16 years.

Jack Russells are heavy shedders and will need brushing once a week, especially during high moulting seasons (spring and autumn). Brushing will help to reduce the amount of fur that falls out but will not completely eliminate dog hair on your clothes and furniture.

Jack Russells often form a dependency on their owner who cares for them, especially the person who feeds, trains and exercises them. Following you could be a sign of separation anxiety if they are not often left alone, but is likely just their way of showing you that they love you.

Jack Russells can be quite snappy and they like their own space. They don’t have the patience or tolerance to be handled by children. But they do like to play games such as fetch. They would not be a suitable breed for young children but would get along well with an older child who understands how to handle them.

That’s All You Need to Know About Jack Russells

Lively, fearless and energetic, a Jack Russell has lots of personality wrapped up in a small bundle! They were originally bred for hunting, so they have a strong prey drive. They like being left alone for long periods though as they can get bored easily and get up to mischief. They also like to dig and bark. But their playful, intelligent and affectionate natures make them a popular breed of dog and great family pets.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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