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Jack-Rat Terrier |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> U.S.A. -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Jack-Rat Terrier |
| The Jack-Rat Terrier, also known as the Jersey Terrier, is a hybrid between the Rat Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier. This spirited dog is full of energy, fearless, alert and ready for anything. Despite its small size, this dog isn't afraid to act as guardian for its family, and tends to bark quite often at things it doesn't trust, including television. Taking on the appearance of the Jack Russell Terrier and Rat Terrier, this is a medium-sized dog with large ears, bright eyes and a cropped tail. Its coat is a double coat that tends to be very short and smooth, but often falls out. If you're looking for a small companion dog with a bit of attitude, the Jack-Rat Terrier may be perfect for you. Just keep in mind that while this dog is good with children, it is a great prey for other animals. Early socialization and training are essential for this Terrier and for any type of Terrier. |
History of the Jack-Rat Terrier |
| Although the Jack-Rat Terrier is a rather new hybrid breed without much history, fortunately, its parent breeds have plenty of information about their origins. When these two unique parent breeds are combined, we are presented with the Jack Rat Terrier or Jersey Terrier. This is an excellent companion dog with an inner fire that makes him equally passionate about guarding his family and hunting the next pest that might come along. Because of these natural instincts, it's important to start socialization and training early, so that this hybrid knows which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. |
A little of the Jack Russell Terrier |
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| The Jack Russell Terrier certainly defines the term "adorable". His playful character and ever-pricked stubby tail go well with the bright light of his big, dark eyes. These dogs were first created in the 1800s when an Oxford University student, Jack Russell, fell in love with a Terrier. As a keen foxhunter himself, Jack used his newly acquired Terrier to develop a line of Fox Terriers that were known for their ever-present skill and passion for tracking foxes. From then on, the rest is history. A club in America specific to the Jack Russell Terrier developed rapidly and soon after, the American Kennel Club decided to recognize the breed, which didn't sit well with American fans of the breed due to the fact that it had trademarked the name "Jack Russell" and had rather strict standards as to what the breed should be. The AKC decided | ||
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| Standard of the Jack Russell Terrier | ||
A little of the Rat Terrier |
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| The Rat Terrier is one of the few dog breeds to claim to have originated in the USA. Originally, this breed was created to work as a farm dog with tasks such as hunting vermin and small game around the property. Its ancestors include dogs such as Fox Terriers, Beagles, Italian Greyhounds and Whippets. All these unique, athletic dogs combined into one make a very impressive breed. The Rat Terrier was agile, intelligent and had great flair, making it irreplaceable when it came to hunting vermin. Slowly, however, despite their once great popularity, the Rat Terrier began to disappear from the spotlight as more and more people moved to bigger cities. Fortunately, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1999 and brought it back as a show, companion and working animal. | ||
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| Presentation of the Rat Terrier |
Appearance of the Jack-Rat Terrier |
| The Jack-Rat Terrier is a very athletic, lively dog. Its appearance can vary considerably, even within the same litter, as it is a hybrid, however, the typical appearance is that of a medium-sized dog with large ears and intelligent eyes. The breed tends to weigh between 9 and 12 kilos and between 33 and 46 centimeters at maturity. They have large ears and a cropped tail that make them appear alert and ready at a moment's notice. The coat is a double layer that tends to come off quite often and comes in many different colors such as white, blue, beige, yellow and a tricolor variation. Although their coat is a double layer, this doesn't mean it's thick and well equipped for the cold. This breed tolerates the cold rather poorly and would do better in a warmer climate. |
Temperament of the Jack-Rat Terrier |
| The Jack-Rat Terrier is definitely a firecracker waiting to happen. His energy is contagious and when he gets going, it can be hard to get him to stop. This doesn't mean he's aggressive or bad with children, it just means he can be a little hard to contain and will do his best if he's in a more suburban area, as barking can be a problem. Despite its excessive exuberance in some areas, this Terrier is a gentle, loyal, intelligent, playful and moderately trainable dog that should be a fairly easy pet for any level of experience. While the Jersey Terrier is great with children, it's important to note that it does best when raised with them from an early age. The same applies to other household pets. If you're looking for a pet dog that will love to get out into nature and explore the world with you, but is also small enough to live in homes of different sizes, the Jack-Rat Terrier may be the ideal pet for you. Although it can sometimes be a handful, it will love you unconditionally and be a great friend for life. |
Needs and activities of the Jack-Rat Terrier |
| Because the Jack-Rat Terrier has two active parents who were designed to hunt, it's going to have a lot of natural energy that needs to be put to productive use. The best way to do this is to spend a few 1-2 hour sessions a day, either playing, walking, jogging, hiking or exercising. All these activities are just a few of the many things you can do with your dog to wear him out and keep him out of trouble. While physical exercise is very important, it's essential to remember the mental side of things too. The Jack-Rat Terrier is a highly intelligent and stubborn breed that needs to work on its mind to get it to listen to you. Puppy training and interaction classes are a great way to wear a dog out and teach him the rudiments of good manners. |
Maintenance of the Jack-Rat Terrier |
| Although Jack-Rat Terriers tend to shed quite often, their coats are easy to care for and only require brushing at least twice a week. Regular grooming will help remove any loose hairs or dirt that may be on the coat, as well as keeping it shiny and healthy. Bathing should only take place every few months or so, as the Jack-Rat Terrier doesn't have a bad dog smell. In addition to brushing and bathing, be sure to clip your dog's nails every few weeks or whenever you hear them clicking on the floor. This will ensure that your dog doesn't scratch anyone severely if he jumps, and will also keep the paws nice and healthy. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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