When hunting smaller game 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 are never formally introduced to hunting but will still, by sheer instinct, 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!
This page has wonderful descriptions of JRT traits.
We strongly encourage everyone to read the Bad Dog Talk
The JRTCA, the largest Jack Russell Terrier club and registry in the world, was founded to protect and preserve the unique characteristics and working heritage of this great little terrier, and remains dedicated to that purpose today.
The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA), founded in 1976, is the National Breed Club and Registry for the Jack Russell Terrier in the United States. The JRTCA is affiliated with the Jack Russell Terrier United World Federation (JRTUWF), an organization of Jack Russell clubs dedicated to protecting the working Jack Russell Terrier worldwide. Please note that the JRTCA is NOT affiliated in any way with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The JRTCA site is loaded with great information on Jack Russell Terriers. Please be sure to browse the site. You will also find a listing of terrier trials around the country. These are wonderful events including racing, go-to-ground, agility and other events. There are child/junior classes available as well. Please try to attend a trial near you they are great fun!
If you would like to join the JRTCA, call the JRTCA Club Office at (410) 561-3655 or go to the JRTCA page to join. Membership includes a subscription to the quarterly club magazine, True Grit.
An off-leash JRT may find a hole where a prey animal lives; his instinct will send him down the hole into the maze of tunnels below. You run the risk of losing your dog please keep him on leash at all times except in safely fenced areas. If you are interested in hunting your dog please contact me and I will either take you out or put you in touch with a hunting judge approved by the JRTCA. JRTs do not kill underground they either bolt the prey or keep it in place until dug to. It is an amazing experience to see the hunting instinct in your dog!
Jack Russell Terriers are great climbers and diggers. Some have been known to climb trees. A fenced yard with a minimum of a 4 fence is needed. Some JRTs have no problem scaling or jumping a 4 fence your dog should never be outside unsupervised. If your dog is a digger, lay some chicken or turkey wire on the ground extending 1 ½ - 2 feet inside the fencing, and either 6 outside or attached to the fence. Make sure the wire is flush with the ground and that there are no sharp ends exposed. Bury the wire with leaves or soil.
The most important safety rule for a young pup is to be sure he is always confined if unsupervised. Even if your house has been puppy-proofed, he will find something to get into. It is not safe for your dog to ride loose in a car he should always be crated. See the section on crate training for more info. We recommend that you have 2 crates, one for the house and one for the car, to avoid having to move it in and out.