Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies®
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Copyright © 2000 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 00-104223
ISBN: 0-7645-5268-6
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8
1O/QV/QZ/QQ/IN
Deborah Britt-Hay has been breeding, training, and laughing at Jack Russell Terriers for the past nine years. She received her first JRT as a wedding present from her husband, Mark. As a nationally accomplished trainer of Arabian, Hackney, and dressage horses, Deborah found that her spunky Jack Russell fit right in with both her clients and her horses. She enjoyed her female so much that a mate was soon purchased, and the Hay household has never been the same.
Both dogs — Annie and Bubba — travel with Deborah and her horses to various shows across the nation. She rarely is found without one of her trusted terriers by her side. Intent on breeding just a few puppies with good conformation and temperament, Deborah and her husband breed only one litter each year, and most of the puppies end up in her clients’ households. “It's great to see them so often, to watch them grow, and to know I am providing a few great family dogs that are dearly loved,” Deborah says of her litters. “Now we have a whole herd of our Jack Russells at the barn!”
Deborah and her husband live in Southern California with their young daughter, Taylor. Her previous book, Horse Training Basics: An Indispensable Guide to Beginning Trainers, was published in 1994. She currently is working on a mainstream suspense series with her co-writer and mother, Nicole Bentley. As Deborah says, “I love to write and I love to teach, so now I have the best of both worlds!”
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I'd like to dedicate this book to the two special Jack Russell terriers in my life, Annie and Bubba, and to my beautiful daughter, Taylor. If it weren't for them, I’d would never truly experience the hysterical antics and blind love and devotion they freely offer to me every day. I hope that through this book, their influence in my life will last a long, long time. Thank you for being my friends and companions, and my one-and-only flesh-and-blood.
I want to take a brief moment to thank a few people whose support, encouragement, and suggestions were an integral part of this book's success. Thanks to my personal editor, Nicole Bentley, who made sure chapters were as good as they could get prior to sending them to my publisher. Thanks also to the staff at Wiley who gave it a chance as a For Dummies book and who, through its pages, allowed me to amuse and inform present and future JRT owners. Unending thanks to Dr. Sandra Singleton, the breeder who introduced me to this wonderful breed. If not for you, my family never would have known the laughter, joy, and frustration of being owned by JRTs. Thanks to the many friends and horse-training clients who generously offered pictures, stories, and ideas to help make this book unique. And special thanks to my husband, Mark, and to my daughter, Taylor. Their needs often took a back seat so I could provide this guide to all of you. You are all very special parts of my life, and words alone cannot express my appreciation for you.
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Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editors: Tere Drenth, Kelly Ewing
Senior Acquisitions Editor: Scott Prentzas
Editorial Manager: Pamela Mourouzis
Editorial Administrator: Michelle Hacker
Composition
Project Coordinator: Emily Wichlinski
Layout and Graphics: Amy Adrian, Jackie Bennett, Beth Brooks, Tracy K. Oliver, Jacque Schneider, Rashell Smith
Proofreaders: Vickie Broyles, Melissa D. Buddenbeck, Susan Moritz, Marianne Santy
Indexer: Liz Cunningham
Special Art: Barbara Frake
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Brice Gosnell, Associate Publisher, Travel
Suzanne Jannetta, Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
Title
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I : Personality Plus! The Basics on Jack Terriers
Chapter 1: What’s a JRT’s Temperament Really Like?
Talking about Turbo JRTs
Observing Forms of Aggression
Hunting High and Low
Examining Random, Nutty Behavior
Understanding the Napoleon Complex
Admiring Their Amazing Feats
Chapter 2: The Telltale Signs of a Jack Russell Terrier
Looking for Perfection
Getting Acquainted with the JRT’s Characteristics
Taking a Look at the JRT’s General Appearance
Chapter 3: A Day in the Life of a JRT
Finding Room to Roam
Spending Time with Your JRT
Understanding the Importance of Patience
Part II : It’s All in the Details: Tips for Making a Perfect Match
Chapter 4: Knowing What You Want in a JRT
Knowing Whether You Want a Pet or a Show Piece
Deciding between Youth and Wisdom
Chapter 5: Finding Your Soulmate
Understanding That Cost Is Only One Factor
Reviewing the Take-Back Policy
Asking Questions
Picking the Perfect Puppy
Part III : Setting Out the Welcome Mat
Chapter 6: Dog-Proofing Your Home
Puppy-Proofing 101
Taking a Look at Outdoor Safety Tips
Using Sanity Savers from the Start
Introducing Your JRT to Her New Home
Chapter 7: House-training Your Jack Russell
Getting Started
Making Adjustments
Becoming Perfect with Practice
Chapter 8: Obedience Training Your JRT
Establishing Boundaries and Rules
Setting Your Sights on Obedience Training
Teaching Commands
Recognizing the Power of Praise
Nixing Negative Behavior
Creating a United Front
Chapter 9: Dealing with Behavioral Problems and Concerns
Taming the Terrorist
Giving Time-outs
Dealing with Digging Demons
Chewing on This
Barking Up a Storm
The Chase Is On!
Managing Separation Anxiety
Dealing with Aggression
Part IV : Creating a Healthy Lifestyle
Chapter 10: Keeping Your JRT Safe and Sound
Doctor Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?
The Lowdown on Shots
Managing Bumps and Bruises
Knowing When You Have an Emergency
Keeping Out Those Nasty Pests
Jack Rabbits or Jack Russells?
Chapter 11: Feeding Your JRT
Finding the Right Food for Your JRT
Understanding Your Puppy’s Feeding Needs
Making Adult Dinners
Looking at Options for Older Dogs
Chapter 12: Exercising Your Jack Russell
Bouncing Balls
Frisbee Fun
Running, Jet Setting, and Other Amusements
Dog Parks
Nature at Its Best
Winter Wonderland
Chapter 13: Grooming Your Jack Terrier
Bathing Beauties
Coat Care
Tough Teeth
The Ears Have It!
The Pedicure
Chapter 14: Competing in Trials
What’s a Terrier Trial?
Russell Racing
Agility Angles
Chapter 15: Dealing with Special Concerns
General Genetics
Disabilities Demystified
Elegant Elders
Part V : The Part of Tens
Chapter 16: Ten Things to Know about the JRTCA and the AKC
The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA)
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Take a Vacation with your JRT
Go to the Vet Before You Leave
Plan Ahead
Pack Your Pooch’s Suitcase
Take a Travel ID
Travel Comfortably by Car
Make Rover’s Home Away from Home Comfortable
Fly Away
Leave Your JRT Home
Chapter 18: Ten Great Web Sites to Visit
JRTCA Official Site
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
JRT Classifieds
Dirt-Dog.com
The Dog Zone
Canine Connections
The English Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Inc.
Other Organizations
: Appendix
Recommended Reading and Resources
Magazines
Books
: Special Offer
I bet you can’t turn on the TV without seeing a commercial or a sitcom showcasing the antics of a little dog with crimped ears, an alert expression, and a tail standing at attention.
This saucy little dog has taken the United States by storm and is known as the Jack Russell Terrier or, to those who already own one, a Jack Russell Terrorist. Thanks to the popularity of PBS’s Wishbone and Frasier’s Eddie, these British imports have become as hot as the Beatles, Earl Grey tea, and taxation.
JRTs, as they are commonly called, aren’t for everyone. It takes time, patience, and an unmistakable sense of humor to tolerate their endless antics and tireless energy. For thousands of dog owners across the country, however, no other breed is worth considering.
If you’re contemplating buying a JRT, you must first decide whether the breed truly is the right one for you and your lifestyle. These appealing little terriers have complex and distinctive personalities that are significantly different from the Poodles, Dobermans, or Labs with which you may have been raised. This book helps you explore the intricacies — and oddities — of the JRT personality to determine whether you have what it takes to be owned by a Jack Russell Terrier.
After you make your decision, I help you along the fun, but often rocky, path of Jack Russell ownership. You find out about house-training, health issues, typical behavioral hurdles, and how to have lots of fun with your new little soul mate. Along the way, I share some funny stories to show you that you’re really not alone in this endeavor and that your terrier isn’t that eccentric when compared to other JRTs.
This book assumes you know nothing about Jack Russell Terriers. If you have some experience with these feisty little dogs, you may want to scan the Table of Contents or Index to determine which chapters relate to your individual situation and interests. If you’re considering buying a Jack Russell Terrier, or if you have a new puppy or dog already, this book takes you step-by-step through the fundamentals of raising and training your JRT.
This book is organized into easy-to-handle parts, each designed to be a mini-book on different aspects of Jack Russell terriers. You can read each part in a short amount of time, without reading other parts. This way, you can pick and choose what you really want to focus on each time you read.
If you’re looking for answers to why your dog does what it does, this part is for you. This part offers explanations for some JRT behavior and what you can expect if you decide to purchase a JRT as a pet.
This part helps you decide which Jack Russell may be the one for you. It offers suggestions on how to find a breeder and how to select a puppy out of a given litter. It also has tips to help you steer clear of potential disastrous situations.
After you decide on a pup, this part helps you prepare to bring your new family member home. In this part, you discover tips on house-training, puppy-proofing your house, and introducing your new terrier to your existing family members.
If you need some information on how to keep your JRT healthy on a daily basis, this part is for you. It covers feeding, exercising, and grooming and gives you tips for keeping your terrier safe, finding a suitable veterinarian, and discovering some fun games to play with your terrier.
This traditional part of every ...For Dummies book gives you lots of information in a small amount of space. Look here for information on traveling with your terrier, registering your JRT with a club, or visiting great Web sites to get more information than you’ll ever need on JRTs!
Part of what makes this book fun and different from other doggy titles are the icons scattered throughout the book. These small graphics in the margins focus your attention on interesting facts, important information, and safety cautions that can help your training and handling go more smoothly.
Not sure where to go next? Here are some tips:
If you really want a clear road map, start at Chapter 1 and work your way all the way through this book.
If you’re just beginning your Russell search, Part II is the place for you.
If you’re having special problems with your terrier, try Part III.
Remember that you can skip around to the topics that interest you without feeling like you’ve walked in on the middle of a movie. Each chapter is self-contained.
In this part . . .
Are you considering whether you have what it takes to be owned by a Jack Russell Terrier? If you have it in your mind that the spotted little bundle of joy you pick will grow up to be the next TV star amid the ranks of Wishbone and Eddie, you may be sadly disappointed. Keep in mind that hours upon hours of training have gone into these dogs to make them into trainable little angels. While most JRTs don’t approach this level of training, you can find a JRT that will become a cherished pet and important family member, provided you do your homework.
This part explores the JRT personality, discusses typical breed types, and gives you a basic lesson in JRT ownership to help you determine whether a Jack Russell Terrier is the right dog for you or you should begin your search elsewhere.