of Jack
Russells to make sure that anyone who is
interested in this type of dog be fully
aware of the facts.
People take one look at a Jack Russell Terrier
puppy and fall in love. We would have to agree
that there are no cuter puppies in the canine world
-- but that little puppy will grow into an adult Jack
Russell Terrier. Getting a JRT because they are cute is a dangerous proposition.
Jack Russell Terriers are true working terriers -- they were originally and are still being bred for
hunting. They hunt foxes, groundhogs, raccoons, possums, rats mice and moles. Some of them
hunt and this can be a real problem if your JRT regards your neighbour's kitty as "game". A
solitary JRT raised with a cat shouldn't be a problem with your own cat, but several Jack Russell
Terriers alone with a cat have been known to create an unfriendly atmosphere for the cat.
When hunting the smaller game, including
cats, Jack Russells can and often will kill
their quarry. Jack Russells will fight with
and often get hurt by raccoons, groundhogs
and foxes. An experienced, smart, Jack
Russell won't get hurt often, but the
potential is there. This pursuit is a Jack
Russell's "raison d'etre" -- it's a part of their
nature. Some Jack Russells, it's true, are
never introduced to hunting and will never
show an interest in it, but many, by sheer
instinct, will hunt on their own.
If the prospect of your little dog actually killing and sometimes eating another living thing bothers
you, a Jack Russell Terrier is not the dog for you!
While there are many famous Jack Russell Terriers in the movies and on TV, please remember
that their trainers have spent long hours producing a JRT who will follow directions. Wishbone
and Milo [from the Mask] weren't born obedient. Jack Russell Terrier puppies do not come to
you with the level of obedience training needed to accomplish the feats seen on TV and in the
movies. It is recommended that you decide to have the dedication to take your JRT puppy to
obedience classes. While other types of dogs might be able to wait 6 months or a year before
beginning obedience classes, we recommend that your JRT puppy begin between 9 to 12 weeks.
Let's face it, from birth your puppy learns things -- by the time you take him/her home, he/she
might as well begin learning the right things.
Enroll your JRT in a puppy kindergarten class. This will give you the basic commands needed to have a well rounded house dog. If you find you enjoy obedience training, you can take more advanced forms later on. Initially most puppy owners are pleased to master "sit", "sit stay", "come" and a few other basic commands that give you control over your dog. If you can't attend a regular class, or there are no classes in your area there are a number of good books on the market. How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete is one of the best and if you follow their plan, you have the equivalent of at least a puppy kindergarten class.
sound working abilities.
Hot Pursuit is dedicated to breeding Jack Russell Terriers with good
health, intelligence, exceptional temperaments, small chest spans and sound working abilities.