Re: Thinking of purchasing a Jack Russell

In Reply to: Thinking of purchasing a Jack Russell
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Jeff Brown
Posted on:  December 22, 2002 at 12:02:28

: I was wondering if a female Jack Russell would be a suitable pet for my living situation. I have a large two bedroom apartment. The apartment has a large yard but no fence. There is a bike trail nearby which I take my Minature Schnauzer on for his daily walks. I am asking this question because I hear that the Jack Russell is a highly engetic dog.

Response:

Dear Jeff,

Thank you for asking questions about the breed before you purchase one. Because Jack Russells are a small breed, I certainly understand why people who live in an apartment would consider having one as a pet. The fact is, the only thing "small" about a JRT is it's size. :-)

Yes, Jack Russell Terriers are highly energetic dogs who need room to run safely -- as in a securely fenced yard; daily walks are not usually sufficient to wear out a JRT. As they are bred to hunt, they are also a very vocal dog which can pose a serious problem for folks who live in an apartment.

Personally, I don't think the breed is a good choice for your living situation. Certainly there are plenty of folks who own a JRT AND live in an apartment and don't have a problem. However, there are many more who have found that owning a JRT while living in an apartment is, at best, difficult. I am providing some links for your consideration; again, thank you for doing the research BEFORE you purchase a JRT.

Regards,
Leslie