Jack Russell Terrier, is a lively, energetic, and sociable working breed.
The proportions of body length and shoulder height are balanced; the body is of medium size with moderate bone mass, and it has strong explosiveness and endurance. This breed attaches great importance to its natural appearance and does not allow trimming. The rough and hard coat can withstand harsh weather, and the structure of the coat is tight, but the overall contour looks clean and generous.
The dog is agile, alert, and confident. It always looks full of vitality, and its greatest charm should be its smart, enthusiastic, and patient temperament.
Although most kennel clubs in the world do not recognize Jack Russell as an independent breed, its many advantages will not be buried in dog shows. This may be more favorable for its enthusiasts.
The Jack Russell Terrier originated in the 19th century in southern England. Its main purpose was to capture European red foxes on the ground and underground. It was developed by a British "hunting clergyman" named Jack Russell in Devon County, which is why it is called the Jack Russell Terrier.
At that time, Russell was very fascinated by fox hunting and was not satisfied with the breeds of hunting dogs. He always hoped to have a breed with strong fighting spirit that could chase prey bravely and agilely in burrows. The Jack Russell Terrier can not only chase foxes, but also drive away mice. Its temperament also meets his requirements, and it has a very cheerful and lively personality, so it has been highly respected and loved by people.
At that time, the coat color was only black and white, and the limbs were also longer than they are now. Later, in order to improve its hunting ability, breeders made further improvements to it.
Jack Russell Terriers are independent, lively, and easily excited. They enjoy being with humans and are very loyal, making them excellent guard dogs.
However, due to their high energy levels and need for activity, their temperament can become anxious if not given enough exercise. This can gradually affect their beautiful physique. For this reason, they are not suitable for households with elderly people or young children, as well as individuals with limited free time.
1. Canine Infectious Diseases
The common infectious diseases that dogs are prone to include canine distemper, canine coronavirus, etc. The common clinical manifestations are: fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty breathing, bloody stool, purulent eye discharge, dry nose, cracked paws, etc.
Generally, these types of infectious and fatal diseases are more common in dogs during the weaning period or around 1 year old. Puppies are more susceptible, with a low cure rate and a high likelihood of leaving sequelae.
How to prevent:
When bringing a dog home, it is recommended that the owner choose a regular channel to select a dog, get the dog vaccinated on time, regularly disinfect the home, and refrain from taking the dog outside for a walk until it has been fully vaccinated. Avoid contact with strange dogs and prevent others from touching the dog's mouth and nose at will.
2. Canine Skin Diseases
Because dogs often go for walks outside, they may accidentally get infected with various skin diseases. If a dog is infected with mites, bacteria, or fungi while outside, there is a risk of long-term difficult recovery. So all owners must pay attention. Clinical manifestations of canine skin diseases include greasy skin, peeling, redness, itching, papules, ulceration, purulency, hair loss, scabs, etc.
How to prevent:
In daily care, it is necessary to keep the dog's living environment clean and tidy, avoiding dark and damp places. Regularly disinfect the dog's living environment, do internal and external deworming, use special dog shampoo, regularly groom the fur, and supplement with vitamins and fish oil.
3. Canine Parasites
Common parasites in dogs include roundworms, heartworms, ticks, fleas, etc., which often cause skin diseases and gastrointestinal diseases in dogs. They may cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, affecting their quality of life and physical development. In general, dogs with parasites are often weak and lack energy.
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How to prevent:
When feeding, owners need to pay attention and try not to feed dogs non-sterilized raw meat or unknown sources of meat. Deworming dogs internally should be done once every 3 months, while external deworming should be done once a month. When going out, prevent dogs from eating and licking indiscriminately or going into the grass. After returning home, be sure to check carefully.
Spring is the season for Jack Russell Terriers to mate, reproduce, and change their fur. Attention should be paid to the management of the mating dog, grooming their fur, and preventing skin diseases.
Spring is also the season for shedding. The thick winter coat will shed, so it is important to groom and clean the fur to prevent skin diseases.
In environments with high temperature and humidity, Jack Russell Terriers can easily suffer from heatstroke due to difficulty in dissipating body heat. Therefore, activities under the scorching sun should be avoided, and the kennel should be moved to a shady area. Cold water baths should be given to the dog frequently during hot weather.
In autumn, Jack Russell Terriers have increased metabolism, appetite, and food consumption. Therefore, the amount and quality of food should be increased. The summer coat starts to shed and the autumn coat starts to grow. It is also the second breeding season of the year, so the management methods are similar to those in spring. Pay attention to grooming the fur to promote the growth of winter coat.
In winter, the cold weather can cause dogs to catch a cold. Improper management, failure to keep warm, getting wet after exercise in the rain, and a damp kennel can all lead to respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The effective method to prevent a cold is to keep warm, use thicker bedding, replace it in a timely manner to keep it dry and prevent drafts. Strengthen outdoor activities on sunny and warm days to enhance physical fitness and improve disease resistance. Sunbathing not only provides warmth, but the ultraviolet rays in the sunlight also have the effect of disinfection and sterilization. It can promote the absorption of calcium and contribute to the growth and development of bones, preventing rickets in puppies.
Dog's fur gets dirty easily and needs regular bathing. In general, bathe them once a week in summer and once every two weeks in winter. If they get slightly dirty, wipe them with a damp towel. Use warm water for bathing and avoid cold water. Use pet shampoo, not human shampoo, soap, or detergent. When bathing, plug the ears with cotton to prevent water from entering and causing ear inflammation. Mix the shampoo with water, then put the dog into the water for bathing. After bathing, use a dry towel to absorb the water from the fur, and then blow dry while combing, do not let the sun or natural drying dry the fur, as it can easily make the dog sick. Pay attention to drying the undercoat, especially under the neck, armpits, groin, and between the fingers of the limbs, otherwise, it is prone to skin diseases.
1. Do not bathe frequently
Bathing a dog should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. However, the total number of baths should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. To promote healthy hair growth, regular brushing is important. Pet owners can use a special brush for pets to help the dog clean naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier hair.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is also closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depleting its nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Deworming medication can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have beautiful fur, dogs must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to their daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food that meets its needs. On the other hand, give the dog an appropriate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.