The Jack Russell Terrier is an energetic and playful dog breed that makes a great pet. However, you need to put a lot of time and effort into caring for this dog. In addition, the Jack Russell Terrier also has characteristics that may not suit everyone. For example, this dog may be more aggressive than other dog breeds. In addition, the Jack Russell Terrier is also very energetic and stubborn. Therefore, so that the dog does not become aggressive, he needs a master who can control his stubborn nature. If you can afford to give your dog the shelter he needs, choose the right Jack Russell puppy. Make sure the dog is up to standard, observe his personality, and find out information about the breed of dog to choose before choosing the Jack Russell Terrier that is right for you and your family.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Assessing the Dog's Personality
Step 1. Know the personality of the Jack Russell Terrier
If you want to adopt a Jack Russell Terrier, make sure you have considered it beforehand. This is done so that the selected dog fits your lifestyle.
- The Jack Russell Terrier considers itself larger than its actual size. Therefore, these dogs tend to fight larger dogs more often.
- The Jack Russell Terrier may be more aggressive than other dog breeds. This is because, when frightened, the Jack Russell Terrier's instincts are to attack instead of flee.
- These dogs are very smart, cheerful, and can lift the spirits of their owners. However, the Jack Russell Terrier is a fairly energetic working dog. This dog needs ample mental and physical stimulation. The Jack Russell Terrier is not suitable for apartment living. In addition, this dog should also not be left alone for too long.
- This dog is quite stubborn and requires a fair amount of training. You should start training your Jack Russell Terrier from day one. Immediately train the dog to be quiet, to sit down, not to be in a hurry, and to be more patient. Dogs also need to be immediately trained to hear and obey your commands. You and your family must be prepared to brave the storms that are coming when you start raising a Jack Russell Terrier.
- This dog also has a fairly high hunting instinct. Therefore, the Jack Russell Terrier should not live side by side with cats or other small mammals. This is to prevent the dog from chasing or hurting your other pets.
- This dog should be accompanied more often so as not to misbehave. The Jack Russell Terrier can engage in a variety of activities, such as dog agility competitions, dog contests, obedience training, track, ball, or discus throwing.
- This dog can be a good companion for children. However, make sure your child treats the dog well. This is because the Jack Russell Terrier does not like to be mistreated.
Step 2. Choose a dog that is alert, active, and energetic
Dogs should look brave and happy. The ideal Jack Russell Terrier looks confident, but not overly aggressive. Consider choosing a dog that seems happy, energetic, and courageous, but doesn't bully or attack other dogs.
- One of the characteristics of the Jack Russell Terrier that is not good is nervous and not brave. Dogs with this disposition may bite when frightened. In addition, this dog is also not suitable to be used as a companion or doing sports activities.
- Avoid dogs that seem unwilling, lethargic, or weak. These may be signs of an unhealthy dog.
Step 3. Observe how your dog responds to you and your family
If your dog is very excited and responds to the rest of your family, he may be a good choice. Some people believe that dogs also choose their masters, just as the master chooses the right dog for him.
If your dog doesn't want to respond or come to you, he may not be the right choice
Part 2 of 3: Observing the Physical Characteristics of the Jack Russell Terrier
Step 1. Observe the dog's sturdy stature
Even as a child, the Jack Russell Terrier was proportionately tall and long. In addition, the dog must also look balanced. The Jack Russell Terrier's body is longer than its height.
- Avoid dogs that are less muscular, skinny, or have a big belly. These may be signs of an unhealthy or malnourished dog.
- These dogs are generally 25-30 cm tall and weigh between 5 and 7 kg. Some Jack Russell Terriers may be smaller or larger, depending on the way of breeding or the purity of the breed.
Step 2. Check the flat shape of the dog's skull
By standards, the Jack Russell Terrier's head is medium in size at the ears, narrowing at the eyes, and wide at the muzzle.
- The dog's nose should be black and the jaw should have strong cheek muscles. The Jack Russell Terrier's eyes are dark brown or black, and are shaped like almonds.
- The dog's ears fell forward and approached his head. The Jack Russell Terrier's ears are shaped like the letter "v". The ears are generally quite agile, bending forward or close to each other when the dog is alert. (A dog's ears will become more agile as they get older. Therefore, the ears of a young dog may appear less active.)
- The dog's upper jaw should be slightly longer than its lower jaw. However, the dog's lower tusks are in front of the upper tusks when the dog's mouth is closed. The maxillary back molars should be parallel to and slightly outside the mandibular molars.
Step 3. Observe the dog's body to examine its distinctive characteristics
Make sure the dog's neck has clean lines and is full of muscle that extends across the shoulders. Make sure the dog's shoulders are slightly angled. The front legs should be straight, strong, and have parallel joints.
- The Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred for hunting. The Jack Russell is designed to get into a fox's den and lead it out. This dog was bred to be a brave hunter who has a muscular and flexible body. Body characteristics like this are very suitable for passing through narrow spaces.
- This dog has an elongated chest. His body also looks quite athletic.
- Check the dog's back is strong and the waist (the part below the back ribs, just above the dog's bottom) is short and muscular.
Step 4. Observe the back of the dog
The hock joint, or the joint on the back of the dog's hind leg, should be in line with the joint behind the dog's back leg. When viewed from behind, the Jack Russell Terrier should look strong and muscular. In addition, the thighs and buttocks should be rounded.
- The dog's paws should point forward (not in or out). The feet should also be round and soft.
- The tail of the Jack Russell Terrier is generally 10 cm long. The tail is generally seen raised and is above the back of the dog. When the tail is cut off, the tail will be in line with the dog's ears. The dog's tail may droop when the dog is resting, and tense up again when it moves.
Step 5. Observe the dog's fur
If the hair is short, make sure there are no thin sections. A Jack Russell Terrier with coarse or thick fur should not look like fleece. 70 percent of the Jack Russell Terrier's coat is generally white. Some of the common patterns of the Jack Russell Terrier are light brown, black, or brown.
If your dog's coat is dry, flaky, doesn't return to its original shape when pinched on the neck, or looks thin and uneven, the dog may be unwell
Step 6. Observe how the dog walks
The dog's gait should be well coordinated and appear active. Most puppies may be quite clumsy, fall over easily, and hesitate when they are at heights or encountering foreign objects. In addition, puppies also generally have a head that is heavier than the back of the body when eating or drinking.
However, make sure that all of the puppy's legs move back and forth properly. Also make sure your dog doesn't fall over when walking normally, and that his head and neck don't shake when he eats or drinks. This may be a symptom of a nervous breakdown in dogs
Part 3 of 3: Choosing a Dog from the Right Source
Step 1. Know a good dog breeder
Unfortunately, there are more poor breeders (breeding dogs with poor genetics, only concerned with money, forced to breed dogs because their parents weren't neutered properly, etc.) than trusted breeders.
- If you want to use the services of a dog breeder, ask for references from buyers who have bought dogs from these breeders. Ask for opinions from other dog owners. If the breeder does not want to provide a reference, you should not buy a dog from that breeder.
- Also ask who the breeding veterinarian is. If the breeder has a poor relationship with the vet, his dog breeding practice may be problematic.
Step 2. Ask the breeder a question
Start by asking the pedigree of the dog to the seller. Also ask what certificate you will get if you buy a dog from the breeder.
Is the puppy still with his parents? Make sure the puppy's parents are not siblings
Step 3. Ask the dog's social skills
Your puppy's sociability will have an effect on how well he gets along with your family and the environment around him.
- Also ask the breeder whether the dog has socialized with other animals or not. When you have, ask how the dog gets along with the animal. Does the breeder have dogs or other animals? Do breeders have children? How do dogs get along and behave when interacting with other animals or people?
- It's important to help the Jack Russell Terrier socialize to keep his hunting instincts from getting too high, especially if you have other pets or live on a farm. When a dog is 8-16 weeks old, there are many social interactions that will greatly affect the dog's behavior. The peak of a dog's socialization period is when he is 12 weeks old.
- Dogs also enter a period of socialization again at puberty (when they are 6-9 months old) and reach social maturity (when they are 18-24 months old). During this period, it is important that you monitor and correct the dog's bad behavior. This is done so that bad behavior does not become part of the dog's personality.
Step 4. Meet the breeder and the dog one-on-one
Observe the environment where the dog was bred. Make sure the property, land, and breeder match your criteria. This is done so that you don't buy puppies from “dog factories”.
- Was the dog raised in a clean environment? The dog's floor and environment must be clean and well-maintained, free of odors, and no liquid dog droppings around it. This is an indicator to determine whether the dog is well cared for or not. Watery stools may indicate that your dog has indigestion.
- Meet the puppies' moms and dads and observe their appearance and how they respond to the presence of you, your family members, and other animals. Ask the breeder for information about the health, personality, and social skills of the puppies' father and mother. A puppy's aggressiveness may be a personality inherited from his parents.
Step 5. Try visiting other places, including animal shelters (but avoid pet stores as most pet stores are affiliated with dog factories)
If you adopt a dog from an animal shelter, it can be difficult to know the dog's past and history.
Step 6. Pay then take the dog home
Make sure you understand the return policy that has been set. Immediately take the puppy to the veterinary clinic for examination. This is done to make sure the dog is in good health. You can also start vaccinating your puppy. Depending on his age, the dog should be vaccinated every 2-4 weeks until he is 4 months old.
Generally, Jack Russell Terrier puppies sell for IDR 5,000,000-Rp 9,000,000
Tips
- The Jack Russell was originally bred as a hunting dog. Therefore, the hunting instinct of this dog breed can still be found. Jack Russell may consider other small pets, such as cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, as prey. If a dog is introduced to a cat as a child and the two interact well, the dog and cat may become friends or can coexist as the dog grows up.
- Also consider other dogs that live in your home. This is because the Jack Russell Terrier is generally very busy, always wants to play, and always wants to be a leader even when he is young. The Jack Russell Terrier will quickly try to be a leader. In addition, he will also continue to test the limits of other animals if there is a change in his environment.
- However, if you have a pet that you want to keep company with, the Jack Russell Terrier is a great choice! Be careful of small dogs. This is because small dogs can be injured by larger dogs. Always supervise the dog when it plays for the first few months. This is done so that the smaller dog is not injured.
- Jack Russell's fur will fall out, especially if he has short hair. Make sure you set aside some time for bathing and combing (bathe your dog once a month to keep his coat from getting dry and itchy). Make sure you use the right dog shampoo. Most dog shampoos sold at pet stores are too strong and can dry out your dog's coat. Buying a high-quality dog shampoo is certainly better than dealing with an itchy dog. Do not use shampoo for humans. This is because the shampoo is not designed for the pH of a dog's skin. In addition, human shampoo may also cause problems.
Warning
- Microchip the dog! The Jack Russell Terrier loves to run away. It is important that you recognize and train your dog to obey your commands. When Jack Russell is running away, it is difficult for you to catch him, especially when he is chasing his prey. You need to control this dog breed well so that it doesn't disappear.
- Jack Russell Terriers don't like being left alone for too long. This dog is not suitable for a narrow house or do not have a large room. Jack Russell needs room large enough to run. This dog needs mental and physical stimulation every day to avoid bad behavior, such as digging holes, barking, and running away.
- If you have young children, the Jack Russell may not be an ideal choice. Although this dog is quite cheerful, he will not tolerate bad treatment from anyone, even unintentional.
