Canis lupus familiaris
Jack Russell Terrier
Featured photojack-russell-terrier.jpgThe Jack Russell Terrier is a Reverend Jack Russell's 1819 foundation fox-working terrier line. The breed traces to a single foundation bitch named Trump, purchased by Reverend John 'Jack' Russell while he was a 19-year-old Oxford undergraduate in 1819, and bred to produce a small, predominantly-white fox-working terrier.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Terrier
- Origin country
- England
- Origin period
- Mid-19th century (1819 foundation)
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- White ground with Black, Tan, or Tricolor markings
- Average lifespan
- 13-16 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2012 · FCI 2000 · UKC 1991 · Group 3 — Terriers (Section 2: Small-sized Terriers)
Origin
The breed traces to a single foundation bitch named Trump, purchased by Reverend John 'Jack' Russell (1795-1883) from a milkman in Marston, Oxfordshire while Russell was a 19-year-old Oxford undergraduate in 1819. Russell, who became a clergyman in Devon, bred from Trump for the rest of his life, producing a small, predominantly-white fox-working terrier suited to going to ground after fox in pursuit of the local hunts. The modern breed split into three FCI/AKC-recognized lines: the Parson Russell Terrier (taller, leggier — AKC 1997), the Jack Russell Terrier (FCI 2000), and the Russell Terrier (the smaller American type — AKC 2012).
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2012, the United Kennel Club followed in 1991, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 345) in 2000. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 3 — Terriers (Section 2: Small-sized Terriers).
Standard
The AKC standard for the Russell Terrier describes a strong, sturdy, smartly-built, racy little working terrier with a flexible chest of moderate depth, allowing the dog to follow the fox to ground. The FCI Jack Russell Terrier standard differs principally in the upper-height limit. The harsh weatherproof coat is recognized in three textures (smooth, rough, broken) and a predominantly white ground colour with black, tan, or tricolour markings concentrated on the head and at the tail base. The Russell Terrier (AKC) stands 25-30 cm; the Jack Russell Terrier (FCI) stands 25-38 cm.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-04
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-04
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-05-04
Frequently asked questions
What is the Jack Russell Terrier's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Jack Russell Terrier in the Terrier Group. The Terrier Group gathers breeds developed to hunt and dispatch vermin or to go to ground after fox and badger; the name derives from the Latin terra ('earth'). The breed's foundation working role was as a Reverend Jack Russell's 1819 foundation fox-working terrier line.
When was the Jack Russell Terrier officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2012; the United Kennel Club followed in 1991; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 345) in 2000.
What is the average lifespan of a Jack Russell Terrier?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Jack Russell Terrier's average lifespan in the 13-16 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
