The Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is very popular and spirited breed of dog that has won the hearts of canine owners nationwide. This rather small breed of dog has a rather disproportionate amount of spunk and vitality which makes them both a joy and a handful to handle at times.

The Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred as a hunting dog which means this breed has a tendency to be energetic and to enjoy outdoor activities. If you’re considering adopting a Jack Russell Terrier, there are certain characteristics you should know about this dog breed. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of adopting a Jack Russell Terrier:

Advantages of adopting a Jack Russell Terrier:

The Jack Russell Terrier is intelligent.

The Jack Russell Terrier is considered to be one of the more intelligent dog breeds which means they are quite responsive to training. If you want a dog that has limitless potential to learn clever tricks, this dog may be for you. Unfortunately, their intelligence can be a double edged sword. If you don’t stimulate their mind and keep them occupied, they can become bored and destructive.

The Jack Russell Terrier is good with children.

The Jack Russell Terrier has a reputation of getting along well with children. Despite their boundless energy and rather high strung personalities, they also have a kind and gentle side especially when they’re exposed early to children. Although this dog breed, in general, responds well to children, children should be taught to respect a Jack Russell since they will defend themselves if they are given abusive treatment by a child.

The Jack Russell Terrier has a long life span.

The Jack Russell is one of the longer living breeds of dog. It’s not uncommon for a Jack Russell to live more than fifteen years. They also tend to have fewer of the genetic diseases that are seen in extensively inbred purebred dogs.

The Jack Russell Terrier is an affectionate breed.

The Jack Russell Terrier tends to be affectionate with both adults and children and are tolerant of strangers. Their loving nature makes them a very popular dog breed.

The Jack Russell Terrier doesn’t require special grooming.

You can generally get by with a daily brushing and a bath carried out at home whenever his coat takes on a yellowish cast. There’s no need for professional grooming or fancy cuts.

Disadvantages of adopting a Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is high energy.

This dog breed was bred to be a working dog which means the Jack Russell needs to stay active. If you don’t have the time or energy to devote to daily walks and exercise sessions, this may not be the breed for you.

The Jack Russell is not good with other pets.

The Jack Russell has a tendency to be aggressive with other dogs and can be particularly unfriendly towards cats. If you have other dogs in your household, you may want to reconsider adopting a Jack Russell.

The Jack Russell Terrier is not a good apartment dog.

Due to this dog breed’s high energy level, apartment living doesn’t suit the energetic, high strung Jack Russell.

A Jack Russell Terrier can be an excellent choice in dog breed if you’re looking for a loving family pet and have the time to devote to exercise and training. Caution is in order if you have other pets in your household. A Jack Russell Terrier adoption may be ideal for a household that only wants one pet.