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. |