Controversial is the correct word to describe the origin of the Jack Russell Terrier, as legend has a few different stories.
What’s not controversial is that Parson John Russell originated this breed, from crossing a milkman’s fox terrier that struck his fancy and he purchased. She had a rough coat and was predominantly white in coloration.
It gets fuzzy from there when it comes to what other breeds he crossed with this fox terrier…quite secretive business…Also, this all started sometime between 1815-1819…it’s not known exactly when…However, by 1850, he was one of the top breeders of the fox terrier.
The most controversial part of the story is the character of the Parson and his known associates, who were quite a rowdy, eccentric and rambunctious bunch; they were not what you’d expect from parsons and vicars in 19th century England. They are described as being more comfortable in a London pub than in a quiet village.
Some say there was no method to his madness and that he crossed any terrier that perked his interest at the time. He preferred the wire-coated/rough coated varieties of the fox terrier, I would imagine because he was such an avid hunter and this coat would have protected the dogs better than the smooth variety in the elements.
We do know that the Jack Russell terrier was bred, most importantly, to be a small terrier with a smaller chest; this is important, as they were used to rouse foxes from their dens and other animals from their burrows. The parson preferred to keep the dogs’ tails un-docked, as it was easier to grab the tail to pull them out of animal holes whilst hunting…
All-in-all, when it comes down to it, the exact origins of this breed are inconclusive, and do they really matter anyway? They are very different in temperament than other dog breeds…They are a terrier breed in their own right!
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I hope you enjoyed today’s installment of Terrier Lover! Until next time…
Love Your Terrier,
Kimberly Edwards ;D
P.S. Leave your opinion or any other juicy tidbits that relate to the Jack Russell terrier’s origin by leaving a Comment below…What’s your take?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Cheers for this compelling blog post. I would like to come back in the future. Thanks again
Thanks so much, Marcos! I’m glad you will…
Kimberly