Have you ever thought of getting a working terrier such as a jack russell terrier but doubted if he will make a good household pet? Yes, one cannot deny that the jack russell terrier is primarily a working terrier. But despite that, these sturdy, spirited and absolutely fearless dogs can also become loving, perky, devoted and friendly additional member of the family.

The jack russell terrier measures between ten to fifteen inches at the withers with the body length proportioned to the height. The coat could be smooth, broken or rough coat which is dominantly white with black and/or tan markings. Show ring calls for tails that are set high and docked to approximately four to five inches long to provide a good hand-hold for gripping the terrier. As a working terrier, one of the most important characteristics of a jack russell terrier is the chest size. It should be small enough to allow the dog to enter and work in burrows.

Jack russell terriers are absolutely fearless, intelligent, athletic and vocal dogs. Those characteristics made them ideal for hunting ground-dwelling creatures such as groundhog, badger as well as red and gray fox. But despite of their strong hunting instincts, owners or potential jack russell owners need not be afraid of this breed. With proper obedience training and socialization, jacks can become friendly and kind even to children. Just remember to teach the kids not to tease or strike the dog.

Just like other breeds and even humans, jacks need exercise too. Lack of exercise may cause your jack to become restless and destructive. Lack of leadership on your part will also lead to the occurrence of negative behaviors such as guarding, snapping, separation anxiety and obsessive barking. Take your dog out for his daily walks and never ever allow your dog to believe that he is the leader of the pack.

Although the jack russell terrier breed is known for longevity, there are some health issues that can affect them. These health issues include hereditary cataracts, primary lens luxation, congenital deafness, medical patellar luxation, cerebellar ataxia, atopy, general joint problems and von Willebrand's disease. The typical lifespan of a jack russell terrier is between 11 and 18 years.