Jack Russell Terrier

		Jack Russell Terrier
		FCI standard Nº 345

Origin		England Country of development : Australia
Group		Group 3 Terriers
Section		Section 2 Small Terriers
Working		Working trial optional
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Wednesday 01 January 2003
Acceptance on a provisional basis by the FCI		Wednesday 25 October 2000
Publication of the official valid standard		Monday 08 October 2012
Last update		Wednesday 05 December 2012
En français, cette race se dit		Jack Russell Terrier
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Jack Russell Terrier
En español, esta raza se dice		Jack Russell Terrier
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Jack Russell Terrier

Usage

A good working Terrier with ability to go to ground. An excellent companion dog.

Brief historical summary

The Jack Russell Terrier originated in England in the 1800’s due to the efforts of the Reverend John Russell. He developed a strain of Fox Terriers to suit his needs for a dog to run with his foxhounds and go to ground to bolt the fox and other quarry from their dens. Two varieties evolved with basically similar Standards except for differences, mainly in height and proportions. The taller, more squarely built dog is now known as the Parson Russell Terrier and the shorter, slightly longer proportioned do, is known as the Jack Russell Terrier.

General appearance

A strong, active, lithe working Terrier of great character with flexible body of medium length. His smart movement matches his keen expression. Tail docking is optional and the coat may be smooth, rough or broken.

Important proportions

The overall dog is longer than high, i.e. rectangular.
The depth of the body from the withers to the brisket should equal the length of foreleg from elbows to the ground.
The girth behind the elbows should be about 40 to 43 cms.

Behaviour / temperament

A lively, alert and active Terrier with a keen, intelligent expression. Bold and fearless, friendly but quietly confident.

Head
Cranial region
Skull		The skull should be flat and of moderate width gradually decreasing in width to the eyes and tapering to a wide muzzle.
Stop		Well defined but not over pronounced.

Facial region
Nose		Black.
Muzzle		The length from the stop to the nose should be slightly shorter than from the stop to the occiput.
Lips		Tight-fitting and pigmented black.
Jaws and teeth		Very strong, deep, wide and powerful. Strong teeth closing to a scissor bite.
Cheeks		The cheek muscles should be well developed.
Eyes		Small dark and with keen expression. Must not be prominent and eyelids should fit closely. The eyelid rims should be pigmented black. Almond shaped.
Ears		Button or dropped of good texture and great mobility.

Neck

Strong and clean allowing head to be carried with poise.

Body
Back		Level. The length from the withers to the root of tail slightly greater than the height from the withers to the ground.
Loin		The loins should be short, strong and deeply muscled.
Chest		Chest deep rather than wide, with good clearance from the ground, enabling the brisket to be located at the height mid-way between the ground and the withers. Ribs should be well sprung from the spine, flattening on the sides so that the girth behind the elbows can be spanned by two hands - about 40 cm to 43 cm. Point of sternum clearly in front of the point of shoulder.

Tail

May droop at rest. When moving should be erect and if docked the tip should be on the same level as ears.

Limbs

Forequarters
Shoulders		Well sloped back and not heavily loaded with muscle.
Upper arm		Of sufficient length and angulation to ensure elbows are set under the body.
Forearm		Straight in bone from the elbows to the toes whether viewed from the front or the side.

Hindquarters
Generality		Strong and muscular, balanced in proportion to the shoulder.
Stifle		Well angulated.
Metatarsus		Parallel when viewed from behind while in free standing position.
Hock		Low set.

Feet

Round, hard, padded, not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in nor out.

Gait and movement

rue, free and springy.

Coat
Hair		May be smooth, broken or rough. Must be weatherproof. Coats should not be altered (stripped out) to appear smooth or broken.
Colour		White must predominate with black and/or tan markings. The tan markings can be from the lightest tan to the richest tan (chestnut).

Size and weight
Height at withers		Ideal Height at the withers: 25 cms to 30 cms.
Weight		Being the equivalent of 1 kg to each 5 cms in height, i.e. a 25 cms high dog should weigh approximately 5 kgs and a 30 cms high dog should weigh 6 kgs.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

Lack of true terrier characteristics.

Lack of balance, ie exaggeration of any points.

Sluggish or unsound movement.

Faulty mouth.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

Details: Also available:; Last Updated: 29 January 2024; Hits: 1227

Jack Russell Terrier