IrishJack

Infobox Dogbreed
country = United States

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image_caption = An example of an Irish Jack Russell
name = Irish Jack Russell

The Irish Jack Russell dog breed is a type of Jack Russell Terrier. The function of this terrier has varied, from working farms, removing vermin, protecting property, and as a companion.

Appearance

The Irishjack is an unrecognised type of Jack Russell. Irishjacks are not to be confused with Irish Jack Russells. A small pocket of recognised short legged JRT's, with a small gene pool, and are currently bred only for ideal structure with little to no reference of temperament.

ize

Most Irish Jack Russells are between 8 lbs. and 15 lbs. The smallest on record is 5 lbs and the largest 25 lbs. The most common height is 10" at the withers.

Color

Irishjacks are seen in all colors, including brindle, merle as well as all eye colors.

Temperament

The standard for the breed is based on the physical body, color and appearance. However most importantly, these dogs are well known for calmer dispositions. The calmer temperament of these dogs are highly valued as they are more calm and level headed than American bred Jack Russell Terriers. Irish Jack Russells are selected for friendly, intelligent, loyal, courageous, and family friendly dispositions. The breed's origins as a farm dog, as opposed to a hunting dog, have given the breed a much more home and family-friendly disposition than the Parson Russell. The small size and calm disposition allows the dog to travel well.

They are known to get along with families, children, and small and large animals.

Care and health

The breed has no known, chronic inherent genetic diseases or conditions and is generally accepted to be very healthy and hardy. All dogs carry 3-5 unexpressed flaws of some kind. The condition most likely to be seen is luxating patellas, slipping rear kneecaps, which can be caused by genetic flaw or by trauma.Irish Jack Russell Terriers require infrequent bathing and grooming.

Irish Jack Russell Terriers have an average lifespan of 15+ years.

History

Origins

Jack Russell Terriers originated with the Parson John Russell's working terriers. Not a truer word was written. History tells us this over-and-over again. Since the days of the Parson John Russell, the breed has been split up further. You will now hear them referred to and registered as; Parson Russell Terrier & Russell Terrier (AKC); Jack Russell Terrier & Russell Terrier (UKC) English Jack Russell Terrier (EJRTC); Jack Russell Terrier (JRTCA) and even some nick names such as; Shorties; Shorty Jack, English Jack, Irish Jack & Puddin's. Jack Russell Terriers, buy any name, all exhibit similar characteristics due to same or similar origin yet may differ in height to length ratio.

Further, your more common, run-of-the-mill Jack Russell Terrier can and does have Fox Terrier blood in them, n matter what they are being called and by whom.

Some, older style/type Jack Russell Terriers are void of Fox Terrier influence. The Parson John Russell did not begin with two dogs, or a pack of dogs, breed them, create a breed and then "voila" a breed was born. If things were only that simple! If one digs deep enough into the Jack Russell Terriers history, more truths begin to surface:

There were times that the Parson worked and bred certain dogs and lines, only to later sell them all off. History also tells us he preferred strains of terriers with working Fox Terrier blood. ...however, this did not come until much later in his breeding experiments. This is not the only type he ever bred. Sometimes he would not be satisfied for one reason or another and he would start all over again. Sometimes he held back his best dogs to mix with the new. Other times, he started from scratch. There are ever documented periods during this time when the Parson had no dogs at all.

As his "type" of terrier became more popular, they began to spread into other lands - such as Ireland. There were Englishmen and Irishmen who preferred a more manageable terrier and found this in some of the Parsons earlier breeding's. These same terrier men found that if they stayed away from those with Fox Terrier influence, that they could breed a more suitable dog for their situation. Many lived on working farms and could not, would not tolerate a dog that would worry livestock or show aggression.

The parson John Russell did not begin with a couple of Fox Terrier influenced dogs and end with the same. Writing's by his own friends describe him as an impetuous person... He bought and sold dogs all throughout his life. And as time went on, he came to prefer a certain type. Yes - he preferred a terrier with working Fox Terrier blood... but he did start as well as borrow from, other lines that went in a direction of their own.

Some of the older lines of Jack Russell Terrier has no Fox Terrier influence. They look like one would expect a Jack Russell Terrier to look like - except their height to length ratio is slightly different. Instead of being near square, they are a little longer than tall. They also have better temperaments than your run-of-the-mill Jack Russell Terrier.

When a kennel club recognizes a breed, they must have a standard in place and they must have a history behind the new breed. This is why we now have people claiming the Jack Russell has one very specific history and standard. Nothing is ever this easy. There is a lot more to the Jack Russell Terrier's rich history. But yes, the common Jack Russell Terrier does have Fox Terrier influence. Jack Russell Terriers, buy any name, all exhibit similar characteristics due to same or similar origin yet may differ in height to length ratio.

Since the Australians "further developed" (changed) the breed and the American Kennel Club began registering them in 2006, some are now claiming: "No true authentic Russell Terrier can be represented as having no fox working terrier blood." - and "The English JRT is a type of small terrier... maintained by a small group of breeders in the US .. entirely an American type of small terrier with no known country of origin or development." To those better schooled, this statement is uneducated at best. Yes, the AKC did adopt a general history from the FCI which went with the newer, changed Jack Russell Terrier from Australia. However, it isn't all of the Jack Russell's history.

For more information and detailed, documented history: Read THE ULTIMATE JACK RUSSELL TERRIER - EDITED BY MARY STROM. STROM RECRUITED A PANEL OF EXPERTS TO WRITE ABOUT THE BREED. HERE, YOU WILL FIND THAT SEVERAL JACK RUSSELL TERRIER EXPERTS AGREE NOT ALL JACK RUSSELL TERRIERS HAVE WORKING FOX TERRIER INFLUENCE.

editorial review of this book:"The Ultimate Jack Russell Terrier is our largest book on the breed to date and brings together an impressive panel of top authorities to give a total picture of the breed."

Chapter Two: The Parson's Terrier", Page #26. Here are some excerpts: "Although he was living in the depths of the Devon countryside, John Russell did not limit his breeding programme by using merely stud dogs that were living locally or were easily obtainable. Davie's described Trump as 'progenitress of that famous race of terriers' but there is no evidence as to which dog or, indeed dogs were used in the foundation of the dynasty. The county of Devon was known at that time for its own strain of white bodied rough-coated terriers - ...It has been suggested that she (Trump) was at some point mated to a rough-coated black & tan terrier. Later in life, the parson was to use some of the most famous Fox Terriers of the day on his bitches."
***It should be noted this information came directly from his biographer E.W.L. Davies.

This is a small sample of and closer glimpse at some of what really went on during the development of the breed. Mary Strom did her own research as well as consulted eleven (11) other "experts" of the breed and its history. Today, some are trying to re-write the history behind the Jack Russell Terrier... But it doesn't make it so. Not all Jack Russell Terriers have Fox Terrier influence. Still today in England and Ireland, these little terriers remain with a few faithful breeders of their old type and style.

Another great book that has a non-sensationalist view of the origin and history behind the jack Russell Terrier is D. Brain Plummers: THE COMPLETE JACK RUSSELL TERRIER. Some excerpts from Plummers book; "The Facts Behind the Legend - Having decided that the present-day white-bodied hunt terrier is not, or at the most only slightly, connected with the dogs of the Reverend John Russell, what are the dogs that we today call, for want of a better term, Jack Russell terriers? ...Well the reader must first dispense with the notion sadly perpetuated in a great number of books that God created John Russell and terriers came into being."

Please read these books and walk away with a clearer understanding of what a fascinating and unique history is behind this breed of dog, and that the real facts about Jack Russell Terriers are really more astounding than the fiction that's been written in more recent times.

The older type/style Jack Russell Terrier has the expected confidence and pride of a terrier without hyperactivity or aggression issues. He believes his humans need and require his affection ...and he is determined to provide more than enough to justify his appointment as sole purvey!

Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great BritainThe breed originated in England and was developed in Australia with a well-documented history. Further developed - changed into an Australian Jack Russell Terrier.

In the United States

Few terriers of Irish descent were imported into the US before 1900. The ones that came over, were generally brought over one by one, by private breeders of Irish descent. There were few aficionados of the breed as they were not well known. The old Irish wanted to keep them from becoming over bred so as not to lose their wonderful temperaments and family dispositions.

In the late 1990s several breeders began importing them into the country and made them available to the public.

When first introduced to the United States, there was some controversy generated by the American Parson Russell Terrier community as to whether the Irish Jack was a "true" Jack Russell. The AKC has now defined the "American" type as the Parson Russell Terrier, ending the confusion between the breeds. The American bloodlines have the more hunting drive, prey drive, and hyper type behavior with some aggression.

The Irish Jack breed does not have the strong prey drive and some would have to be taught how to hunt. They make wonderful family pets.

The AKC has recognized the smaller, longer than tall, shorty Jack Russell Terrier as the Russell Terrier. The Russell Terrier was recognized as a separate breed from the American Parson in January 2006.

Today

Currently few breeders have a true, old style Irish Jack Russell Terrier. Be careful as you research. Many American bloodlines have the aggression and hyperness of the original English hunting dog. Look for breeders who have no American bloodlines for the true Irish Jack Russell Terrier. Ask about health records, health testing, and pedigree history proof. Some are even importing crosses of Jack Russells of dubious history. Do your research and talk to many breeders before deciding who is the best match for your family. Insist on seeing the parents of the pup you are considering.

Be selective in your research and do your homework. There are over 44,000 regular Jack Russell Terrier breeders world wide. There are over 3,000 American Jack Russell Terrier breeders in the United States. However, there are only a small number, less than a half dozen, breeders of the true Irish Jack Russell Terriers. So ask many questions and do your research so that you are indeed looking for a true Irish Jack Russell with no influx of Fox Terrier blood from American lines. This was a common practice dating back to the frontier times in the Americas. The English first brought over the Parson Jack Russell Terrier in the early 1900s and folks saw what good hunters and badger, gopher, ground hog and rat killers they were. Since there were so few at that time many were inter bred with the Fox Terrier, Fell Terrier, Bull Terrier and other terrier breeds. That is where the aggressiveness came from that became the American Jack Russell Terrier.

Look for a true Irish Jack Russell Terrier breeder and do your homework. You will not be disappointed and in fact people are amazed at how different and calmer these little Irish Jack Russells truly are from any known American Jack Russell Terrier.

[Category:Dog breeds] References: IKC, Irish Kennel ClubAKC, American Kennel ClubThe Ultimate Jack Russell Terrier by Mary Strom