Jack Russell Terrier
dog breed From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Jack Russell Terrier is a breed of small dog with a white coat that can be smooth, rough, or "wire-haired". It was bred in England for fox hunting.[1] It can also be used as a work dog.
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History
The Jack Russell terrier was originally bred in England by the Reverend John Russell, starting around 1819.[2] He enjoyed fox hunting and bred the Jack Russell for this activity.[3]
He was successful. Jack Russells are excellent at fox hunting. They are fast runners and are sturdier than the standard terrier. Their sense of smell is so strong that Jack Russells can even smell foxes when they go underground.[3]
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Variations
As with other domesticated animals, there are numerous variations.
Selective breeding
See the main article: Selective breeding
The Jack Russell terrier was bred specifically for fox hunting.[1] Humans have also selectively bred them for other characteristics, like height, to produce Jack Russells of different sizes.
Working dogs come in different sizes to make them better at different jobs. For example, taller terriers were historically used for hunting foxes, while smaller ones were used for hunting rabbits and rodents.
Parson Jack Russells
Different kennel clubs have different regulations about naming breeds. Some dog clubs differentiate "Parson Jack Russell Terriers" (which are over 12 inches at the shoulders), and "Jack Russell Terriers" (which are under 12 inches in height).
Other clubs do not make this distinction, because they are broadly the same type of dog.[4] Today, the only difference is leg length.[4]
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References
Other websites
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