Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA)

National Breed Club and Registry for the Jack Russell Terrier in the United States

Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA)

JRTCA - Jack Russell Terrier National Breed Club

JRTCA LogoThe Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA), founded in 1976, is the National Breed Club and Registry for the Jack Russell Terrier in the United States. The JRTCA is affiliated with the Jack Russell Terrier United World Federation (JRTUWF), an organization of Jack Russell clubs dedicated to protecting the working Jack Russell Terrier worldwide. Please note that the JRTCA is NOT affiliated in any way with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Please note that the JRTCA is NOT affiliated in any way with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Preserve, Protect and Work the Jack Russell Terrier

The JRTCA is the largest Jack Russell Terrier club and registry in the world. JRTCA membership includes members from the U.S. and other countries including Canada, England, Scotland, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Japan, and the Bahamas. The JRTCA Annual National Trial attracts approximately 800-1000 Jack Russells from all over the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest exclusively Jack Russell Terrier gathering in the world.

The JRTCA is the largest Jack Russell Terrier club and registry in the world. Join us!

The JRTCA and its registry were founded in 1976 for the purpose of protecting and preserving the unique characteristics and working heritage of this great little terrier, and remains dedicated to that purpose today. The Club is, and always have been, emphatically opposed to recognition of the Jack Russell Terrier by any kennel club or all-breed registry. Recognition, it is believed, will be detrimental to the preservation of the Jack Russell as the sound, intelligent strain of working terrier it has been for more than 100 years.

The JRTCA was founded by Mrs. Ailsa Crawford of New Jersey, who has devoted many years to the Jack Russell Terrier. Mrs. Crawford owned and operated one of the first Jack Russell kennels in the U.S. from 1960 to 1977, at which time she gave us her kennel in order to dedicate her time entirely to working for the JRTCA. Join or renew your JRTCA membership online.

The email address of the JRTCA club office is JRTCA@theRealJackRussell.com.

The JRTCA Organization

Catherine Brown is the current Chairman of the JRTCA. Three committees, working closely with the Board of Directors, are responsible for scheduling and coordinating sanctioned trials throughout the country, establishing and maintaining a Trial Packet designed to guide the operation of sanctioned working and conformation judges, organizing and maintaining a state representatives program, implementing and maintaining guidelines for breeders, executing the JRTCA National, and handling other operational aspects of the Club as needed.

The JRTCA has representatives in most states throughout the U.S. to provide information on the breed and the Club, and act as liaison for members in their respective areas. The Club also has a growing list of qualified working and conformation judges available for judging terriers at sanctioned trials and in the field.

True Grit Magazine

The Club magazine, True Grit, is published bi-monthly. The 80-100 page publication keeps members in touch with each other and abreast of what is going on throughout the country and within the JRTCA. It contains new terrier registrations, a listing of JRTCA breeders, a calendar of sanctioned trials, educational articles, interesting stories, photos, and much more.

If you would like to join the JRTCA:

Join the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America

A JRTCA Directory of Breeders is published annually, which includes breeders throughout the country as well as educational information geared towards those purchasing a JR. A JRTCA Stud Book is published semi-annually to assist JR owners in planning breedings.

Jack Russell Terrier Rescue

The JRTCA works with a rescue organization known as Russell Rescue, Inc, led by Jenn Carr. Russell Rescue, Inc. has a network of volunteers throughout the country who assist in retraining and finding new homes for displaced Jack Russells.

If you own a Jack Russell Terrier, a welcome is extended to you to join the JRTCA, to work along with many dedicated Jack Russell owners throughout the country to protect and preserve the rare qualities of this wonderful working terrier...... and to share all the terrific experiences gained only through owning a Jack Russell Terrier!

Is the Jack Russell Terrier the Right Dog for You?

If you are contemplating purchasing a Jack Russell, we encourage you to carefully review all the information provided in this web site (especially the Jack Talk and the JRT Profiler).