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In Ireland, we tend to keep things fairly simple.
The Jack Russell Terrier has been loved and cherished as a family
pet for many a year in Ireland.
Here in America there is great interest in Ireland and anything
Irish. Which is lovely! The same is true for the Irish Jack Russell.
The Irish love a bit of story telling and I have heard some
grand stories of dogs with grand Irish ancestry and claims of 'blue' blood but really that isn't
what Irish 'shortie' Jacks are about.
Or indeed, what Ireland is about.
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The 'Shortie', as you say in America, was a working man's
dog.
Nothing fancy, no Royal blood, no fancy pedigrees.
Over time, they were loved for what they were not where they came
from.
This was the charm of the Jack Russell.
To me, many an Irishman and woman has the same charm! Irish
people are understated, much like a good Jack!
Spend 10 minutes with a good Jack Russell and they will win you
over,
without a word spoken!
No complication.
Just a good old fashioned little dog.
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Here at Madrabeag we raise terriers
as they have been for many a year, in Ireland.
No fuss, no bragging,
Just Happy, Healthy and Hardy dogs.
Come visit the dogs and
they will show you what makes them so special!
This is a brief, or not so, overview of the different types
of Jack Russells to help with some of the confusion!
Just to clarify, I do not raise Parson Jacks, or Russell terriers,
or JRTCA Jacks. I raise Jack Russell Terriers, the old fashioned kind, they are non- conforming(like many an Irishman) and
I have no plans to rename them to follow a new trend. They are what you see, and we like them that way!
The AKC Parson Jack Russell
Bred for conformation in the ring and/or working ability primarily."The
Parson Russell Terrier is a true working foxhunter"(AKC description)
The AKC (FSS) Russell Terrier
Similar to the Parson, is bred for conformation or working ability.
Slightly smaller than the Parson, slightly longer but most Russells have Parson infusion in their lines.
The JRTCA Jack Russell Terrier
Terriers from 10-15" tall.
The JRTCA terrier is also very similar to the AKC Parson Jack Russell
and Russell, except their focus and dedication is solely on the working terrier, they are affiliated with the JRTUWF, but
not in any way with the AKC.
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In fact, many Russells and JRTCA terriers would be interchangeable.
Most people could not differentiate between the two.
This split is very common with the purebred dogs, often breeds
are divided by those bred for show(conformation) and those bred for their ability to work. Then a breed often splits between
groups with different goals and beliefs in what the type 'should be'.
The reason Jack Russell breeders chose not to get involved
with the Kennel clubs is due largely to the complexity and control that often goes along with it.
There are other ways I have heard it described but I will keep
this polite!!
I raise 'The Jack Russell Terrier', which is not recognised by
either the JRTCA or the AKC.
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The Jack Russell Terrier has a lack of uniformity both in size
and overall appearance.
They are normally 9-11" tall, between 10- 16 lbs. They tend to
be longer than they are tall. Some are fine boned some are stocky and very muscular. Some are solid colored, some are the
more recognizable bi-color or tri-color.
Oponents of the breed frown on this 'lack of uniformity'
because they consider it not to be 'pure'.
However, I find it rather ironic that this short legged(shorty)
terrier is free from many of the genetic health issues which burden their 'purebred' cousins.
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I love this lack of uniformity and am opposed to the breed
having to conform to a rigid 'type'.
The JRT is not used for formal work or hunting,
they are not in the showring, instead they are most suited
to being the family pet, the family barn hand keeping rodents at
bay, the childrens best friend, they make great porch mats,
replacements for hot water bottles in the bed,
co-pilots in the car and just delightful, comical best friends.
The Jack Russell Terrier has thrived for over 150 years 'as is'.
They are remarkably healthy, athletic, low maintenance,
uncomplicated little dogs. Over the years, as with all purebreds,
there has been infusion of other breeds. This has led to variety
in appearance, people's individual preferances allowed
the breed to go in slightly different directions,
since the dog was not required to work or
conform to a very specific type.
But the breed has remained very recognisable,
whether they have button or prick ears, fine boned or
stocky, broad head or more refined and angular,
solid or spotted etc it doesn't matter they are all Jacks!
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In my opinion, if the dog is conformationally sound,
has a delightful temperament, is in great health and
the charm of an Irishman well you can't go wrong!!
I really don't care if the dogs ears go up, down, out or
round about, or if the dog has a white ear, a white spot
or
if they came out like their granny with an all brown body,
it is no bother so long as they fit the former statement.
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I personally do not support registry of the Jacks into the AKC.
They don't need to be, they have done fine this long
left alone out of the large kennel clubs. They are not
a new or rare breed and I can see no benefit to changing
what has worked since the breed was developed
well over 150 years ago.
The EJRTCA is a club for the Jack Russell Terrier
and I support them, because it is solely for recording bloodlines
and ongoing attempts to improve the breed without requiring rigid
conformation of type or rewarding their working abilities.
Neither of which is fitting for the Jack Russell Terrier.
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But these are just my opinions and observations over the last
35 years both in Ireland and here in America.
Think outside the box! Get a Jack!
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