Jack Russell Terrier - Frequently Asked Questions

Behavior/Training | Socialization | Medical | Physical | JRTCA | Miscellaneous

Behavior and Training Tips

• Aggression - Tips for solving aggression problems.
• Nipping/Biting - Discussion of nipping and biting by a Jack Russell puppy.
• Separation Anxiety - Three simple steps to help your dog overcome separation anxiety
• Boredom or Anxiety? - What separates a bored dog from one who suffers from separation anxiety?
• Submissive Urination - Submissive urination is not a house-training problem.
• Picky Eater - Having problems getting your dog to eat?
• House Breaking - Housebreaking is finding a means of preventing the puppy from doing his duties in the house and giving him only an opportunity to do it outside.
• Crate Training - In dozens of different ways, the addition of a crate means better care for your dog.
• Chasing Flashlights - If you need to exercise your dog, try to find a way to do it without using a flashlight.
• Grass Eating - Some dogs will ingest grass to induce vomiting.
• Stool Eating - Terriers fed diets they can't properly digest will eat their stool because they consider it semidigested food rather than waste.

Socialization Tips

• Cats and Jack Russells - Jack Russells are commonly known to harass, injure or kill other small pets, such as cats, birds, rabbits, mice, rats, gerbils, etc... simply due to their strong natural hunting instincts.
• Children and Jack Russells - Jack Russell Terriers are not good with small children, and are not recommended for families with children under the age of eight.
• Other Breeds and Jack Russells - Be aware that Jack Russell's will not get along with all breeds. Good common sense will help you make the right decision.
• Getting a 2nd Jack Russell - Same-sex aggression and aggression towards other breeds of dogs is well documented with this terrier.

Medical Information

• General Medical - General Links to Medical articles.
• Spay/Neuter - It is strongly recommended that you spay/neuter your JRT unless you are planning to start a breeding program.
• Scooting/Anal Sacs - Expressing the glands can prevent infection, impaction, or possible abscess.
• Vomiting - If your terrier is vomiting early morning, try giving a treat late at night before bed or feeding first thing in the morning.
• Skunk Treatment - How to treat your dog if it's been skunked underground.
• Hearing Problems - BAER tests record brain responses to click sounds delivered to an ear. It does not require a behavioral response from the animal, hence no chance of misinterpretation of a dog's response.
• Vision Problems - CERF provides a variety of reports to help educate owner/breeder on heritable eye disease questions, healthy breeding stock, and breed-specific eye problems.

Physical Characteristics

• Prick Ears - There is really nothing that can be done to get the ears to fall to their normal position
• Shedding - Jack Russell Terriers do shed. Typically, the shorter the hair in this breed, the more it will shed.
• Spots/Ticking - Ticking refers to small spots -- usually just a few hairs -- of color in the white coat.
• Brindle Markings - "Brindle" is a pattern of colors that is seen in the black, tan or brown colored area on a coat
• Tail Docking - Jack Russell tails should be docked between 3-5 days of age, and unless you are an experienced breeder it is best if performed by a licensed veterinarian.
• Grooming - Very few animals are exhibited exactly as nature has designed them, and the Jack Russell Terrier is one that can certainly benefit from some judicious grooming.

JRTCA-Related

• Terrier Registration - Each application for registration in the JRTCA is judged on the individual terrier's own merits.
• AKC - Please direct questions/concerns about the AKC, JRTCA club policy and rule changes to the JRTCA Club office.
• Finding a Breeder - The JRTCA cannot recommend specific breeders; however, please start with the Online Breeders Directory.

Miscellaneous Tips and Ideas