With their spunky personalities, endless energy, and remarkable intelligence, it’s no wonder Jack Russell Terriers have become a favorite for television ads and Hollywood films. Performing comes naturally to Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs for short). They love to show off their strange and quirky personalities, and they have more than their share of fun while entertaining you and themselves.
Despite their winsome ways, Jack Russell Terriers aren’t for everyone. It takes time, patience, and an unmistakable sense of humor to tolerate their endless antics and tireless energy. For thousands of dog owners across the country, however, no other breed is worth considering. Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies is the guide for you if
- You're thinking of owning a Jack Russell Terrier
- You just brought a new puppy home
- You are curious about this popular breed
- You already own a JRT and want to know more about its temperament
Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies shows you how to cope with the breed's high energy levels and odd but common behaviors. You'll become acquainted with the breed standard and look at common faults. This book also covers the following topics and more:
- Distinguishing between a pet dog and a show dog
- Deciding if a puppy or an adult dog is best for you
- Puppy-proofing your house
- Understanding guidelines for obedience training and agility training,
- Dealing with behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, aggression, and barking
- Finding a great veterinarian
- Knowing how to care for your pet: Health, grooming, exercise
- Dealing with health concerns specific to JRTs
Jack Russell Terriers are cute, charming, and very smart. They're a big dog in a little dog’s body and are fun, fearless, and funny to be around. Remember, however, that they also are pushy, extremely active, and have a voracious appetite for attention. Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies will help you make sure you’re making a well-educated, conscious choice to purchase one of these little white tornadoes and to give you the knowledge to keep your sanity after the decision has been made.
Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies (9781119675631) was previously published as Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies (9780764552687). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 2
How This Book Is Organized 2
Part 1: Personality Plus! The Basics on Jack Terriers 2
Part 2: It’s All in the Details: Tips for Making the Perfect Match 2
Part 3: Setting Out the Welcome Mat 3
Part 4: Creating a Healthy Lifestyle 3
Part 5: The Part of Tens 3
Icons Used in This Book 3
Where to Go from Here 4
Beyond the Book 4
PART 1: PERSONALITY PLUS! THE BASICS ON JACK TERRIERS 5
Chapter 1: What’s a JRT’s Temperament Really Like? 7
Talking about Turbo JRTs 7
Observing Forms of Aggression 9
Hunting High and Low 10
Examining Random, Nutty Behavior 10
Understanding the Napoleon Complex 14
Admiring Their Amazing Feats 15
Chapter 2: The Telltale Signs of a Jack Russell Terrier 17
Looking for Perfection 18
Hunting faults 19
Specific physical flaws 19
Your personal choice 20
Getting Acquainted with the JRT’s Characteristics 22
Basic temperament 23
Intelligence 24
Taking a Look at the JRT’s General Appearance 24
Body fundamentals 25
Tops and tails 26
Coat types and colors 27
Chapter 3: A Day in the Life of a JRT 29
Finding Room to Roam 29
Appreciating a fenced yard 30
Making play dates 31
Living with a JRT in the city 31
Spending Time with Your JRT 32
Appreciating your JRT’s personality 32
Including your JRT in everyday events 34
Understanding the Importance of Patience 34
PART 2: IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS: TIPS FOR MAKING A PERFECT MATCH 37
Chapter 4: Knowing What You Want in a JRT 39
Knowing Whether You Want a Pet or a Show Piece 40
Selecting a show dog 40
Choosing the perfect pet 41
Deciding between Youth and Wisdom 42
Looking at the pros and cons of puppies 43
Evaluating the pros and cons of adult dogs 43
Considering Jack Russell rescue 45
Chapter 5: Finding Your Soulmate 47
Understanding That Cost Is Only One Factor 48
Reviewing the Take-Back Policy 48
Asking Questions 49
Using your breeder as a resource 49
Looking at health issues 50
Getting ready to get grilled 50
Choosing perfect parents 51
Reaching maturity milestones 51
Picking the Perfect Puppy 52
Watching the litter interact 52
Checking out your choice 53
Assessing temperament 53
Aiming for the center 54
Taking a family poll 55
Determining whether looks matter 55
PART 3: SETTING OUT THE WELCOME MAT 57
Chapter 6: Dog-Proofing Your Home 59
Puppy-Proofing 101 59
Avoiding the zap attack 60
Looking out for tower terrors 60
Looking for friends in high places 61
Dealing with doors 61
Keeping your JRT away from garage doors 62
Protecting your Jack Russell from perilous poisons 62
Taking a Look at Outdoor Safety Tips 65
Using Sanity Savers from the Start 67
Introducing Your JRT to Her New Home 69
Mixing babies and Jack Russells 69
Mixing tiny tots and terriers 70
Introducing your JRT to another dog 73
Being cautious with feline foes 75
Chapter 7: House-training Your Jack Russell 77
Getting Started 78
Selecting an indoor confinement area 78
Making a lot of potty trips 78
Using a crate 79
Making Adjustments 80
Spotting the patterns 81
Recognizing bathroom body language 82
Getting caught in the act 82
Avoiding common house-training mistakes 83
Becoming Perfect with Practice 83
Chapter 8: Obedience Training Your JRT 85
Establishing Boundaries and Rules 86
Becoming the leader of the pack 86
Being consistent in your training 87
Perfecting your timing 88
Setting Your Sights on Obedience Training 88
Teaching Commands 89
Sitting pretty 91
Come hither yon terrier 92
Staying in one place 93
Down and out 94
Heads and heels 95
Recognizing the Power of Praise 98
Nixing Negative Behavior 98
No — more than just a two-letter word 99
Using diversionary tactics 99
Creating a United Front 100
Chapter 9: Dealing with Behavioral Problems and Concerns 101
Taming the Terrorist 101
Giving Time-outs 102
Dealing with Digging Demons 106
Chewing on This 107
Barking Up a Storm 108
The Chase Is On! 109
Managing Separation Anxiety 110
Dealing with Aggression 113
Puppy aggression 113
Dog-to-human aggression 114
Dog-to-dog aggression 115
PART 4: CREATING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 117
Chapter 10: Keeping Your JRT Safe and Sound 119
Doctor Jekyll or Mr Hyde? 119
Judging bedside manners 120
Understanding vet’s fees 121
The Lowdown on Shots 121
Managing Bumps and Bruises 122
Knowing When You Have an Emergency 123
Taking your dog’s temperature 124
Leaving some things to the pros 124
Keeping Out Those Nasty Pests 125
The JRT flea circus 125
Tick, tack, oh no! 127
Watch out for the creepy crawlies 128
Jack Rabbits or Jack Russells? 130
Breeding is for pros 130
The benefits of spaying or neutering 131
Chapter 11: Feeding Your JRT 133
Finding the Right Food for Your JRT 133
Understanding Your Puppy’s Feeding Needs 135
Making Adult Dinners 136
Watching for weight loss 137
And for weight gain 137
Playing dinnertime hijinks 138
Looking at Options for Older Dogs 138
Chapter 12: Exercising Your Jack Russell 141
Bouncing Balls 141
Frisbee Fun 143
Running, Jet Setting, and Other Amusements 143
On the run 144
Biking 145
Swimming 145
Horsing around 150
Dog Parks 151
Nature at Its Best 152
Winter Wonderland 153
Laser tag 154
Toys for tugging 156
Chapter 13: Grooming Your Jack Terrier 157
Bathing Beauties 157
Preparing for the bath 158
Finding a shampoo and using it 158
Coat Care 158
Tough Teeth 159
The Ears Have It! 161
The Pedicure 162
Chapter 14: Competing in Trials 165
What’s a Terrier Trial? 165
Conformation critique 166
Only obedience 167
Get down and go to ground! 168
Russell Racing 170
Racing particulars 171
The steeplechase 171
Getting ready to race 172
Agility Angles 173
Agility for kids 174
Teamwork at its best 176
Chapter 15: Dealing with Special Concerns 177
General Genetics 177
Disabilities Demystified 180
Elegant Elders 181
Fitness for seniors 181
Weather woes 181
The elder appetite 182
Other aging issues 182
PART 5: THE PART OF TENS 185
Chapter 16: Ten Things to Know about the JRTCA and the AKC 187
The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) 187
The JRTCA opposes registration with the AKC and UKC 188
The JRTCA registers JRTs one by one 188
The JRTCA operates a Russell Rescue 190
The American Kennel Club (AKC) 190
The AKC registers many breeds of dogs 190
The AKC researches pedigrees 191
The AKC helps with ownership issues 191
The AKC offers ingenious identifications 192
The AKC extends research resources 193
The AKC sponsors the Canine Good Citizen Program 194
The AKC established the Canine Health Foundation 194
The AKC awards scholarships 195
Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Take a Vacation with your JRT 197
Go to the Vet Before You Leave 197
Plan Ahead 198
Pack Your Pooch’s Suitcase 198
Take a Travel ID 199
Travel Comfortably by Car 200
Make Rover’s Home Away from Home Comfortable 201
Fly Away 203
Leave Your JRT Home 204
Home alone 204
Pet sitting 204
A stay at the kennel 204
Chapter 18: Ten Great Web Sites to Visit 209
JRTCA Official Site 210
The American Kennel Club (AKC) 211
JRT Classifieds 211
Dirt-Dog.com 211
The Dog Zone 212
Canine Connections 212
The English Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Inc. 212
Other Organizations 212
Appendix: Recommended Reading And Resources 215
Index 217
Other versions by this Author