Ruscal Jack Russell Terriers
Dreams and Dedication are a Powerful Combination
What to Look For
In a Good
Jack Russell Terrier
Background
The Reverend Jack Russell was very interested in Fox Hunting and saw the need for a small terrier to be used to flush out foxes that had gone to ground. In 1814 he acquired a terrier bitch named Trump from the local milkman which became his foundation bitch - and so the breed was born.
The first Jack Russells were quite tall dogs (35cms) but over the years the breed has changed, and there are now two distinct varieties which are recognised as separate breeds - the Parson Jack Russell which measures between 33 - 35 cms - and the Jack Russell which measures between 25-30 cms. There are three coat varieties - Smooth, Broken, and Rough Coat.
Jack Russell Terriers are great little hunting dogs and will tackle anything from a fox to a mouse. They are very intelligent which make them ideal for not only Showing, but for Agility, Obedience and Earth Dog Trials.
They are wonderful friends, companions and will play with children for hours while still being adaptable enough to be enjoyed by the elderly. They will be at home in either your home or as outside dogs. All in all, these are great little dogs with great big hearts, big enough to love everyone.
More History
A Bit More History For Those That Want It.
Jack Russell terriers have been around for over a hundred years but the breed has only been officially recogonised recently when Australia recognised the breed in 1991.
The breed takes it’s name from one of England’s hunting parsons, the Reverend John (or Jack, as he was known locally) Russell from Devon, who established the breed in the early nineteenth century.
The Reverend, being a keen fox hunter, needed an agile dog with plenty of spirit that could keep up with hounds and have the courage to face up to quarry underground. When not pursuing foxes, Jack Russells were used as exterminators of vermin, such as badgers and rats.
Jack Russell racing has become very popular with the owners and the public and most State Jack Russell Terrier Clubs hold race days. Another sport, “Earth Dog Trials”, first introduced in Queensland and, now approved as a recognised activity by the A.N.K.C. for all breeds bred to go to ground, has become very popular and at most meets Jack Russells are at the fore.
The Jack Russell Terrier Club of Australia (Inc.) was founded in 1972. A small group of breeders instigated the setting up of first stud book and register of Jack Russells in Australia and set about establishing type here. Although there were terriers of Jack Russell during the early 1970’s were known to be from the ‘right side of the track’, for they came from Duke of Beaufort, Duchess of Bedford, the Eastleigh and the Cowdray Hunts. Some did not have pedigrees but it was known they were the genuine article.
Members of the Jack Russell Club already had an expanding pool of dogs of similar type, which were carefully documented and registered. So truly we are all in debt to the wonderful job they have done, recording our heritage. The end result being that today Australia can boast of playing a leading role in the development of the Jack Russell Terrier as a genetically pure breed!
The JRTCA was entirely responsible for the development of the breed up until 1991, when the Jack Russell was officially recognized by the A.N.K.C. as a pure breed. State Breed Clubs have since been formed in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.