Good care starts with getting to know your dog.

Know your dog · Pedigree breed

Jack Russell Terrier care guide.

A small working terrier with plenty to investigate. Coat texture and individual behaviour matter more than size.

General education · See individual source dates below

Original editorial illustration of an adult Jack Russell Terrier
Original editorial illustration. An illustrative example. Not a breed identification or health assessment.

A working terrier, not a miniature lapdog

The breed takes its name from Reverend John Russell’s nineteenth-century working terriers. British dogs also contributed to development in Australia. The Royal Kennel Club recognised the Jack Russell Terrier in 2016; the similarly named Parson Russell is a separate breed.

Read the evidence: Jack Russell Terrier breed background — Royal Kennel Club · Jack Russell Terrier breed standard — Royal Kennel Club

Lively does not mean identical

The breed ideal is confident and outgoing. Many enjoy chasing and digging, but personality and past experience vary. Ask about the individual dog rather than assuming that every small terrier will fit the same home.

Read the evidence: Jack Russell Terrier breed standard — Royal Kennel Club · Jack Russell Terrier — PDSA

Three textures to recognise

A Jack Russell’s weather-resistant coat may be smooth, broken or rough. Match grooming to the actual texture rather than treating every Jack Russell as a smooth-coated dog.

Read the evidence: Jack Russell Terrier breed standard — Royal Kennel Club

Make recall worth choosing

Reward coming back and calm handling. Practise in easy settings first; use secure spaces where chasing could create danger.

Read the evidence: Reward-based training — Australian Veterinary Association · Jack Russell Terrier — PDSA

Food and portions

Choose complete life-stage food. Review portions, body condition and treats with your vet.

Read the evidence: Nutrition — Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Small body, active day

Allow daily walks, sniffing and play rather than assuming small dogs need little movement. Breed exercise charts differ, so adapt activity to age, fitness and comfort rather than imposing one fixed daily target.

Read the evidence: Jack Russell Terrier breed background — Royal Kennel Club · Jack Russell Terrier — PDSA

As your dog grows older

Growing puppies need growth-appropriate food; older dogs need individual dietary review, especially with illness.

Read the evidence: Nutrition — Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Ask about eyes, knees and coordination

PDSA lists slipping kneecaps, primary lens luxation and inherited ataxias among potential concerns. These are risks, not diagnoses. Ask about parental screening and seek veterinary advice for eye pain, limping or loss of coordination.

Read the evidence: Jack Russell Terrier — PDSA

Gentle maintenance

Check friction areas and remove loose hair gently. Ask a groomer about your dog’s texture; do not pull out painful mats.

Read the evidence: Coat Care: Preventing Matted Hair — USDA APHIS

Bathing is separate from brushing

Use lukewarm water and suitable dog shampoo, then rinse thoroughly. Keep water and shampoo away from eyes and ears.

Read the evidence: Dog grooming tips — ASPCA

Comfort comes first

Avoid cotton buds. Pain, redness or unusual ear odour needs veterinary advice rather than more cleaning.

Read the evidence: How to clean your dog’s ears — Cornell University

Sources & scope

Source retrieval dates are recorded individually below. Written as general owner education by Good Dog; not clinically reviewed or endorsed by the organisations linked below. Breed standards describe ideals, not guarantees. Screening advice can change. These are selected considerations, not a complete list of conditions.