Jack Russell Terrier
A big dog in a small body — fearless, tireless and endlessly busy.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 25–30 cm |
| Weight | 5–6 kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–16 years |
| Energy | Very high — 90+ min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Smooth, broken or rough · mostly white with tan or black |
| Group | Terrier · FCI №345 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred to run with hounds all day and then go underground after the fox, the Jack Russell is wired for work: bold, quick-thinking and endlessly persistent. At home that reads as a hilarious, affectionate live wire that chases anything that moves and treats every stationary object as something to dig under, bark at, or dismantle.
Habits & quirks
Excavation projects
Digging is hardwired — offer a sandpit or lose the flowerbeds.
The vertical leap
A Jack Russell can spring several times its own height from a standstill, usually at your face, joyfully.
Squirrel patrol
Windows, fences and walks are all surveillance duty; anything furry triggers full alert.
Toy surgery
Squeakers are removed with clinical precision — it's the terrier version of dispatching prey.
Care
| Exercise | Ninety minutes minimum, ideally with running, fetching and nose work — a walked-only Jack Russell is an under-employed one. |
| Training | Sharp and fast-learning but easily bored; keep sessions short, rewarding and one step ahead of it. |
| Containment | A determined digger and jumper — fences need depth below and height above. |
| Prey drive | Cats, rodents and wildlife are targets by design; manage introductions and keep leads on near roads. |
Common questions
Are Jack Russells good family dogs?
For active families, yes — but their energy and prey drive suit older children and homes that can give them a real job and hours of exercise.
Do Jack Russells bark and dig a lot?
Yes — both are hardwired hunting behaviours. Plenty of exercise, training and enrichment channel it; boredom makes it much worse.
How long do Jack Russells live?
They're among the longest-lived breeds, commonly reaching 13–16 years. Expect the energy to last well into double digits too.