Life expectancy: 13-16 years (one of the longest living dog breeds)
Size: 10-15-inches (male); 13 inches (female)
Coat: Smooth or rough
Temperament: Intelligent, athletic, vocal, fearless, stubborn
Exercise needs: Around an hour daily
Origin/native country: England
These dogs were bred for fox-hunting in the early 19th Century, originally by a vicar called Jack Russell – hence their name. As energetic dogs, Jack Russells have long proven popular thanks to their big personalities and, while they can pose a challenge, these feisty little terriers sure can entertain.
Always up for an adventure and supremely confident, these terriers certainly a breed to consider if you and your family fit the bill. But what exactly does it take to own and care for a Jack Russell and should you consider getting one? With the help of expert vet Dr Hannah Godfrey, we give you the full lowdown on this breed.
Do Jack Russells need a lot of exercise?
It can be hard to keep up with Jack Russells at times – and that’s not simply because they can run at 38mph. They seem to be darting here and there and everywhere and it seldom feels as if they sit still.
“Jack Russell Terriers tend to have a lot of energy and they like to run and explore,” says Dr Hannah Godfrey. “That’s why, historically, they’ve been used as working dogs.”
This means, if you bring a Jack Russell into your home, you’ll need to be active yourself. If you don’t, at the very least, have the motivation to take this breed out on long walks each day for about an hour, then you may start to run into some trouble.
“While I see a lot of very fit Jack Russells in practice, I also see some that are very overweight, and others who have behavior problems like barking or chewing,” says Dr Godfrey. “In many cases, these could be improved with more exercise.”
By investing in the best dog toys and creating a dog friendly backyard, you can help Jack Russells burn off energy while also engaging their mind. Be aware this breed has a high prey drive, though, so keep them on a leash in a public place where small animals may be around.
Are Jack Russells easy to train?
It may be surprising, given their breeding background and position as one of the smartest dog breeds, but Jack Russels can be a challenge.
“Although they’re often used as working dogs, Jack Russells aren’t particularly easy to train,” affirms Dr Godfrey.
The task requires patience and understanding – you can’t force a Jack Russell to do something if they appear to be resisting. The priority is to keep them motivated and to ensure that training sessions are short and fun so that they don’t become bored.
“Jack Russells are intelligent but they’re also strong-willed, which can make training a little more challenging,” says Dr Godfrey. “Make sure that you have a high value toy or treat to motivate them to follow your commands.”
Are Jack Russells big barkers?
Jack Russells tend to be very vocal dogs.
“The majority that I treat in practice tend to bark a lot,” says Dr Godfrey. “Sometimes they bark because they’re being protective, as they often see themselves as guard dogs. However, they can also bark more frequently if they’re bored.”
Jack Russells can also bark if they’re excited so you need to use some reward-based training to encourage them to ease up. Indeed, it’s a good idea to learn how to stop excessive barking although, as Dr Godfrey says, this can be as easy as playing with them.
“Sometimes an activity to stimulate their mind or run around to burn some energy can help with the barking,” she says.
Do Jack Russells make good family pets?
Jack Russells can make good family pets but much depends on your setup.
“They can be unpredictable so they’re not necessarily a great choice with young children,” says Dr Godfrey.
“I’ve been bitten by quite a few Jack Russell Terriers in my time – of course, my consultation room is a scary place and often they’re in pain or feel unwell, so this isn’t a judgment on the breed, but it’s important with any breed not to take any risks around children.”
In that respect, good training and socialization is important – you need to introduce them to other dogs from a young age as well and be wary of that high prey drive.
Jack Russells can also suffer from separation anxiety given how much they love to be around people.
“This could explain a Jack Russell’s barking but, as a breed they tend to be quite adaptable, so it’s more likely that they’re barking to alert you to a perceived danger or because they’re bored.”
In any case, as long as you learn how to reduce separation anxiety in dogs, this is an issue that can be tackled.
Do Jack Russells need a lot of grooming?
There are two types of Jack Russell: those with a rough coat and those with a short coat. The former requires more regular grooming than the latter to ensure the hair doesn’t matt and tangle.
The undercoat of the rough variety should be stripped twice a year as well. So, if you’re looking to minimise the amount of work you have to do, go for a short-coat Jack Russell that really only needs a once-over with one of the best dog brushes weekly.
Common health problems in Jack Russells
Although generally healthy, Jack Russell do have some common health problems.
“Jack Russell Terriers are prone to an eye condition called primary lens luxation, which can cause glaucoma and severe eye pain. Many of the cases I’ve seen in practice have ended up needing to have their eye removed – after which they’ve been much more comfortable,” says Dr Godfrey.
Jack Russell Terriers, like many other small dog breeds, are also prone to patella luxation.
“This is where their kneecap easily slides side to side,” says Dr Godfrey. “This can cause just an occasional ship or hop, but it can also cause more intense pain depending on the severity, and some dogs require surgery.”
Should I get a Jack Russell Terrier?
Jack Russell dogs are great if you have an active, older family and can afford the time to take them out for walks and more strenuous exercise. They’re less suitable if you have smaller, younger children around – particularly if those kids are quite heavy-handed.
With good training, you’ll have a well behaved, fun-loving, loyal dog on your hands and, if you can get on top of the barking, you’ll find owning a Jack Russell is rewarding.
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Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focussed on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
She then began working at a smaller, independent practice close to home, in order to devote more time to her other love – writing comedy fiction. In February 2023, she moved from permanent clinical vet work to become an Editor for a global medical communications company. She hasn't given up clinical work altogether, though, and still does regular locum shifts at her local vet practices.
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
Recent updates
This feature was last updated on March 30, 2025.
