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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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In Ireland, the 'Shortie', as you say in America,
was a working man's dog.
Nothing fancy, no Royal blood, no fancy pedigrees.
Their heritage is similar to that of the Lurcher. The registered Parsons and IKC Jacks
were the preserve of the nobility and commoners
were not permitted to own such dogs. So the 'commoners' bred their own type of Jack. Over
time, they were loved for what they were not where they came from.
This was the charm of the little Jacks.
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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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, IKC
Jack Russells or JRTCA Jacks. I raise Jack Russell Terriers, the old fashioned kind, they are non- conforming(like many an
Irishman), but all of my dogs share a few common traits, sweet disposition, balanced conformation and great eye appeal. 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 IKC Jack Russell Terrier
Similar to the Parson, is bred for conformation or
working ability. Slightly smaller than the Parson, slightly longer bodied but most IKC Jacks have had
some Parson infusion in their lines, at one time. The biggest difference between the Parson is length of leg,
they are between 10/12". Most have a similar disposition to the Parson.
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.
In fact, many IKC Jack 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'.
Down the years the reason Irish 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 :-)
In America, admiration and interest in this type of Jack has increased trememndously.
With this and due to the hardwork and dedication of certain breeders this 'type' of jack has become recognised as registered
with a variety of registries.
I have been cautious about embracing the AKC-FSS status of the Russell Terrier because
I was uncertain that I considered my dogs 'Russells', they have always been Jacks to me.
But as they say, "When in Rome"!
So I am in the exciting process of registering my dogs as Russell Terriers with the
AKC-FSS.
It should be very exciting to see how things evolve and to see what 'type' will be winning
in the ring.
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All 3 of the above mentioned terriers are considered a 'working'
breed. Therefore it is expected that a well bred one would prefer to work. People often tell me how horrid certain
Jacks can be, but in fairness it is more likely the dog is not suited to the quiet life that it has been given:-)
However, knowing this, I prefer to stick to my little jacks, often
referred to as miniature jack russells in Ireland because they are bred to be pets. Being a terrier they will still happily
rid the barn of vermin but can live very contently in an Urban setting. It is this ability to be content with a quieter
life that makes them so popular with an incresing number of families.
I do not breed working terriers, I specifically breed for
a mild mannered non working type. I prefer that the barn cats do their job in the barn and the dogs simply be my companion.
Please note if you prefer a working dog, one that will excel
in the field or at flyball or in 'dirtdog' competition I do not think my dogs are a good fit. But I can certainly refer
you to some excellent breeders that breed working type Jack Russells.
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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 too rigid a 'type'.
My Jacks or the type of JRT I like is not
used for formal work or hunting(except for a few exceptions), certainly in Ireland they were never in the showring. Instead they are most suited
to being the family pet, the family barnhand keeping
rodents at bay, the childrens best friend. They do 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.
Each breeder has their own idea
of ideal type, I follow mine and continue to try to improve my line while retaining the look that I
consider correct.
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In my opinion, if the dog is conformationally sound,
has a delightful temperament, is in great health with
the charm of an Irishman, you can't go wrong!!
Correct conformation is vitally important to ensure good health, so I always strive for
this. Tempermament is critical because so many terriers have acquired a name for themselves due to poor temperament, it is
important to breed dogs that are pleasant to live with.
There is no better dog than a really good Jack, once you meet one you will
understand why. There are alot of different Jack Russells and then there is a MadraBeag Farm Jack.
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I personally am cautious about introduction of the
Jacks into the AKC, under the name of Russell Terrier.
There are benefits to the breed but I think there is much to be lost in finetuning the
appearance of the Jack too much.
They have done well this long
left alone out of the large kennel clubs. That said some change can be good. I will continue to enjoy my type of jack
but will always look to improve upon genetic faults and to take advantage of new health testing as itis introduced.
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But these are just my opinions and observations over
the last
30 years both in Ireland and here in America.
I continue to observe and educate myself. I am open
to change if it truly benefits the breed, and the individual dogs.
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Be original, don't copy my ideas and pictures.
Fiona Leahy
Gunnison Rd, PO Box 313
York Beach, Maine
207-363-5013
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