|
Utilization
A good working Terrier with ability to go to ground. An
excellent companion dog.
Classification
FCI
Group 3
Terriers.
Section 2 Small Terriers.
With working
trial.
Brief
historical summary
The
Jack Russell Terrier originated in England in the 1800’s due to the
efforts of the Reverend John Russell. He developed a strain of Fox
Terriers to suit his needs for a dog to run with his foxhounds and go to
ground to bolt the fox and other quarry from their dens. Two
varieties evolved with basically similar Standards except for differences,
mainly in height and proportions. The taller, more squarely built
dog is now known as the Parson Russell Terrier and the shorter, slightly
longer proportioned dog, is known as the Jack Russell
Terrier.
General
appearance
A strong, active, lithe working Terrier of
great character with flexible body of medium length. His smart
movement matches his keen expression. Tail docking is optional and
the coat may be smooth, rough or broken.
Important
proportions
The overall dog is longer than high.
The depth of the body
from the withers to the brisket should equal the length of foreleg from
elbows to the ground.
The girth behind the elbows should be about 40 to
43 cm.
Behaviour / temperament
A lively, alert and active Terrier with a keen,
intelligent expression. Bold and fearless, friendly but quietly
confident.
Head
Cranial
region
Skull: The skull should be flat and of moderate width gradually
decreasing in width to the eyes and tapering to a wide
muzzle.
Stop: Well defined but not over
pronounced.
Facial
region
Nose: Black.
Muzzle: The length
from the stop to the nose should be slightly shorter than from the stop to
the occiput.
Lips:
Tight-fitting and pigmented
black.
Jaws/Teeth: Very
strong, deep, wide and powerful. Strong teeth closing to a scissor
bite.
Eyes: Small dark
and with keen expression. MUST not be prominent and eyelids should
fit closely. The eyelid rims should be pigmented black. Almond
shape.
Ears: Button
or dropped of good texture and great mobility.
Cheeks: The cheek muscles should be well
developed.
Neck
Strong and clean allowing head to be carried with
poise.
Body
General:
Rectangular.
Back: Level. The
length from the withers to the root of tail slightly greater than the
height from the withers to the ground.
Loin: The loins should be
short, strong and deeply muscled.
Chest: Chest deep rather than
wide, with good clearance from the ground, enabling the brisket to be
located at the height mid-way between the ground and the withers. Ribs
should be well sprung from the spine, flattening on the sides so that the
girth behind the elbows can be spanned by two hands - about 40 cm to 43
cm.
Sternum: Point of sternum clearly in front of the point of
shoulder.
Tail
May droop at rest. When moving should be
erect and if docked the tip should be on the same level as
ears.
Limbs
Forequarters
Shoulders: Well sloped back and
not heavily loaded with muscle.
Upper arm: Of
sufficient length and angulation to ensure elbows are set under the
body.
Forelegs: Straight
in bone from the elbows to the toes whether viewed
from the
front or the side.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular, balanced in proportion to the
shoulder.
Stifles: Well angulated.
Hock joints: Low set.
Rear pastern (Metatarsus): Parallel when viewed from behind while
in free standing position.
Feet
Round,
hard, padded, not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in nor
out.
Gait /
movement
True, free and springy.
Coat
Hair: May be smooth, broken or rough. Must be weatherproof. Coats should
not be altered (stripped out) to appear smooth or
broken.
Colour White MUST predominate with black and/or tan
markings. The tan markings can be from the lightest tan to the
richest tan (chestnut).
Size
and weight
Ideal Height : 25 cm (10 ins) to 30 cm (12 ins).
Weight :
Being the equivalent of 1 kg to each 5 cm in height, i.e. a 25 cm high dog
should weigh approximately 5 kg and a 30 cm high dog should weigh 6
kg.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a
fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should
be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and
welfare of the dog. However, the following weaknesses should be
particularly penalised:
Lack of true Terrier
characteristics.
Lack of balance, i.e. over exaggeration of any
points.
Sluggish or unsound movement.
Faulty
mouth.
Any dog clearly showing
physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be
disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal
testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Standard
AKC
Russell
Terrier
Standard
UKC
Jack Russell
Terrier | 
Parson Russell · 
Russell AKC · 
