Jack Russell Terriers are happy-go-lucky, adventurous dogs – they tend to be friendly with almost everyone they meet, though they are especially devoted to their family and friends. Because they were bred to be hunting dogs, they’re fearless and highly energetic, which is great for active owners.

They are usually gentle and playful with children, but will do best with older kids as their endless energy and zest for play may overwhelm very young children. 

Jack Russell Terriers are not couch potatoes by any means. They only really rest when they’ve exhausted all possibilities for play, or they’ve tired themselves out. They aren’t aggressive with people or other dogs if they’re properly trained and socialized. However, they will never get along with cats.

Most Jack Russell Terriers have an independent nature and love figuring things out by themselves, but they also love the praise and recognition of their humans. 

Owning a Jack Russell Terrier means you’ll have to adapt to their significant exercise needs. Their energy levels are very high and most Jack Russell Terriers will have no problem playing for hours before they get tired. 

Jack Russell Terriers need vigorous exercise sessions, totaling at least an hour each day. Very high-energy Jack Russell Terriers can need even more time, depending on the intensity of the exercise they get. Fetch, tug of war, and other challenging games are all good options to tire out a Jack Russell Terrier. 

Most Jack Russell Terriers also excel at agility courses, which can be done at home in a fenced yard, even if you aren’t planning to have your dog join competitions. It’s important to have a secure space to do this, as Jack Russell Terriers can run off to chase smaller animals due to their high prey drive.

Like other terrier breeds, Jack Russell Terriers will also need a space to dig – it’s very difficult to break this habit, so most owners find it easier to just have a specific place where their dog is allowed to do it. 

It’s not too difficult to groom a Jack Russell Terrier, as their coats are short and fairly low-maintenance. They don’t shed too much, and any shedding can be addressed with fairly regular brushing. Most Jack Russell Terriers will need to be brushed once or twice a week – these sessions don’t take too much time due to the dog’s small size. 

Most owners will bathe their Jack Russell Terrier around once a month. Because the Jack Russell Terrier loves to dig, there is a tendency for their coats to get dirty or muddy. You can opt to use dog wipes or a damp towel to clean them off after they’re done digging. 

Like most other small breed dogs, Jack Russell Terriers can be prone to dental issues. Brushing their teeth three to four times a week is a good idea, but daily tooth brushing is ideal. Nail trimming can be done every two to four weeks. 

Jack Russell Terriers are now rarely used for hunting by their owners, so their extremely high energy and independent nature can catch novice owners by surprise. They’re also highly intelligent dogs and capable of very creative problem-solving. While this means they’re very trainable, it can also mean that your Jack Russell Terrier will try to out-think you – and may succeed. 

The best way to motivate a Jack Russell Terrier to engage in training is to give them lots of positive reinforcement. A heavy hand and harsh punishment may only succeed in making a Jack Russell Terrier uncooperative and stubborn. Treats, toys, and praise are more effective in teaching them commands and proper behaviors. 

It’s also more productive to keep training sessions on the short side – between 10 to 15 minutes long – so that your Jack Russell Terrier doesn’t get bored. A frequent, regular training schedule that’s fun for the dog is more effective than marathon training sessions where your dog will get tired of repetitive tasks.

Jack Russell Terriers are generally healthy animals and can have a life expectancy of up to 13 to 15 years. Jack Russell Terriers may be prone to:

• Legg-Calves-Perthes Disease – a condition in which the “ball” in the ball-and-socket joint that forms the hip begins to degenerate, leading to arthritis and limping
• Patellar luxation – a condition in which the kneecap or patella slips out of place, causing pain and lameness
• Lens luxation – an eye condition where the lens of the eye can become displaced, causing vision loss
• Deafness – deafness is associated with a white coat coloring and some Jack Russell Terriers may be deaf in one or both ears

As a small breed, Jack Russell Terriers don’t take up too much space in a home. They stand between 10 to 15 inches at the shoulder. Both male and female Jack Russell Terriers will weigh between 13 to 17 pounds when fully grown.

Jack Russell Terriers are very adaptable and can fit into most households, whether in urban settings or rural homesteads. However, their tendency to be vocal may not be appreciated by nearby neighbors. They also need a surprisingly large amount of space to run around due to their high energy levels. They can live in an apartment if you are able to give them a significant amount of outdoor time. 

It is not recommended to have a Jack Russell Terrier live outdoors as their coat does not protect them from the elements very well. They also will want to be close to their humans fairly often, so most Jack Russell Terriers are indoor dogs.