Jack Russel

Just got my self a Jack Russel. Got my self into a discussion on another forum about the breed and use by ph's in South Africa.
I discovered that there are a bit of controversy about this breed, also in South Africa.
My questions then are: What type of Jacks are most ph's use; the real Jack Russel as breeding standard from JRTCA in US or the FCI approved Russel terrier or shortie?
And how common are Jacks as working dogs for ph's?

I don't know all of the answers to your questions, but I do know that they make a great squirrel dog. They are also good pets by the way.

I've always seen the very short legged version. Also seen a few "fox terriers". Both seem to be very smart dogs.

I make use of the long-legged Jack Russel and many, many PH's use the breed. The one problem that I have with the fox terriers , is that they almost get too aggressive and too brave.Instead of just baying the animal, they will actually attack, which is not what you want. We also know what happens with aggressive dogs on wounded Bushbuck.
With the amount of time that gets put into a dog to get him to be worth anything, there is nothing worse than losing him to a wounded ram.
Its a fine line on training on getting a dog to stick with the animal and successfully baying him, but still keep his distance in case of a charge.

Just love watching my dog, or any dog for that matter, work. Good luck with your pup!

Thanks Marius. I have already discovered that the breed is somewhat "active"....

Hi There,

Our one has short legs and hair with no spikey beard :-)

regards

Originally Posted by KMG Hunting Safaris

I make use of the long-legged Jack Russel and many, many PH's use the breed. The one problem that I have with the fox terriers , is that they almost get too aggressive and too brave.Instead of just baying the animal, they will actually attack, which is not what you want. We also know what happens with aggressive dogs on wounded Bushbuck.
With the amount of time that gets put into a dog to get him to be worth anything, there is nothing worse than losing him to a wounded ram.
Its a fine line on training on getting a dog to stick with the animal and successfully baying him, but still keep his distance in case of a charge.

Just love watching my dog, or any dog for that matter, work. Good luck with your pup!

Have a blacked headed short legged Jack Russell. Been mauled by caracal twice. The problem with this breed is that it thinks everything is smaller than them. Not only my dog but my best companioning in the veldt or on my lap in front of the telly.

Originally Posted by Wolverine67

Thanks Marius. I have already discovered that the breed is somewhat "active"....

Make sure you work him. If you don't you will have problems.

Good luck.

Breed standards change on the group writing them up.
If you like the dog and he does what you want, be happy. Stay out of the ring and go hunting or whatever.

Originally Posted by andriesdeklerk

The problem with this breed is that it thinks everything is smaller than them. Not only my dog but my best companioning in the veldt or on my lap in front of the telly.

I think the perfect way to describe the Jack Russel,could not be described more perfectly as someone once told me, " Its dificult to believe that they could fit such a big heart into such a small body." Says it all, really.

Andries, I agree. If for some reason my dog can't be with me in the veld, it feels like I have forgotten my most important piece of equipment. Something is just missing. He just loves hunting so much, sometimes I have to remind myself, who is actually the PH?

Originally Posted by KMG Hunting Safaris

.... He just loves hunting so much, sometimes I have to remind myself, who is actually the PH?

He is, you just hold the license for him!

Originally Posted by KMG Hunting Safaris

I think the perfect way to describe the Jack Russel,could not be described more perfectly as someone once told me, " Its dificult to believe that they could fit such a big heart into such a small body." Says it all, really.

Andries, I agree. If for some reason my dog can't be with me in the veld, it feels like I have forgotten my most important piece of equipment. Something is just missing. He just loves hunting so much, sometimes I have to remind myself, who is actually the PH?

Marius, very well put!! Jack's are an awesome breed!
An SA PH...whom I won't name...once had a GSHP cross Pitbull which was probably the very best hunting dog I've ever had the privilege of hunting with! Incredibly smart, incredibly powerful and very savage when he had to be! Looked like a GSHP on steroids!!

Great Topic, have had both short and long legged in the past and worked just fine.... awesome dogs, they need to be worked and expect it as well,

I struck gold a couple of years ago, and stumbeled upon a Parsons jack russel breeder (rough coat), they are a little more even tempered than the others I have had and slightly toned down, learn quick just becaudse of their more relaxed attitude and make awesome companions as do all the others.

A big thing with these little fellows for me, is the fact that they are easy to handle and travel with..... unlike the bigger breeds which some of which can take much older track than the Jacks, but the bigger breeds are just a mission to have on the back (they take up more space).

I have to agree with Marius and Andries, not having them with you every day is like missing a limb, and it feels like such an injustice not to give the little buggers every opportunity to hunt and be out in the field, they are also excellent camp dogs, at night they seek the closest warmest lap around the fire to lie in!!

Long live the Jacks!

They make wonderful friends and hunting companions. My two usually know, two days before the time, that I'm leaving on a hunt.

IMG_0202.JPG IMG_0206.JPG

..and there's my newest hunting mate in training, Buddy, the Staffie pup..

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Very nice pics Docman - especially the Staffie - i have a soft spot for Staffies and Jacks since childhood and have owned 4 or 5 of each so far - when i buy my new property one of the first things will be to get me one of each again.

About Jacks - yeah - just make sure you take your vitamins every day - they are like little rubber balls - bouncing all over the place and it just do not stop - even if they get mature - a ball of energy with a lion heart. And prepare your spouse - they love re-arranging the garden and everything planted in it.

3 years ago i wounded a kudu (left front leg shot off just above the knee - misjudged distance) and as we all know how kudu takes after the disappearing act - especially when wounded. The farmer let loose his 3 Jacks - i was a bit sceptic - but within 90 minutes one of the farm workers came running to us and told us the Jacks had the bull cornered aout 2 km from our position.

An unbelievable sight when we eventually arrived there - the 3 x Jacks like little furry-tornadoes around and around the Kudu - poor Kudu did not know where to turn and which one to target with his horns - he did not even notice us when we arrived there - all attention on the Jacks around him. I had a 50 y shot to his head. Because of those Jacks i slept well that evening and did not write a cheque for a wounded / not found animal because off them.
I respect the fiesty little buggers.

A great dog Jack Russell/Bull terrier

Hey guys,

I have 2 Jack Russel's I hunt with and Bullet the male is like my son! Saved me countles hours of tracking wounded animals.... I have a great video of him baying a blesbuck, I will se if I can post it soon. He hunts with me like a human would, look,smell and listen for animals all the time! Simply amazing!

Here he is with some animals he has found! Once he bayed an animal no one exept me and the client can come close to the animal otherwise you will have a few bite marks on the ankle! He has been a few articles in overseas magazines. Will post some copies of the article aswell.

Great dogs for families and hunting!

I have a long legged jack and he is a machine. If training is good the JR will do everything you ask of him. They are even better snake dogs than anything els. Has saved my life many times. They do have a tendency of taking on everything, even warthogs and baboons.

Thanks for all the replies. One thing seems to be true, a good dog are worth its weight in gold for a hunter.