Known for its intelligence and energy, the breed of Jack Russell Terrier was created in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century, by a man known as Reverend John Russell.
He created the breed with the intention of using it for fox hunting, his greater passion in life.
Now, over two centuries later, we know the charming Jack Russell Terrier, a sweet and energetic dog that is a perfect match for big families and as company for people who live alone.
It’s also one of the main attractions of famous movies like The Mask (1994) and The Artist (2011), apart from being a meme star, with its adorable little face.
However, just like the other living beings on this planet, the Jack Russell Terrier needs some special care related to its daily life, to improve its health and span of life.
You might be asking yourself: “How long does a Jack Russell live?” or “What can I do to help in the increase of its lifetime?”
Well, we might have the answer to all your questions below!
How do I Increase my Jack Russell’s health?
First, let’s talk about some good news: the Jack Russell Terrier is usually a very healthy breed, with little to no health problems.
They live usually between 13 and 16 years, which is great for a smaller breed like the Jack Russell.
However, we can’t take any chances with our furry friend!
This means that you need to take your dog to the vet at least twice a year, for a normal checkup.
To help you with some tips, let’s talk about the most common health problems related to the Jack Russell Terrier breed.
- Ear Issues
Generally, most dogs are susceptible to ear infections due to colder weather or simply a seasonal cold.
A ear infection is quite simple to treat, however, if you don’t pay close attention to your dog’s behavior, this ear infection can turn into a more serious issue.
Unilateral Deafness is the loss of hearing in one of the ears and is commonly caused by infections or accidents.
This can even lead to Bilateral Deafness, which is the worst case scenario.
So, be aware of your dog’s behaviors!
If you notice it scratching the ears or shaking its head too often, you should probably go to the vet for a checkup!
2. Obesity
Since the Jack Russell Terrier is known as a very active dog breed, with a lengthy history of hunting and participating in racing competitions left and right, talking about weight and obesity in this context sounds a bit funny.
However, not all Jack Russells are extremely active.
Some dog owners don’t realize that this dog needs a great amount of play time, which is harmful not only for its physical health, but also its mental state as well.
A Jack Russell Terrier locked in for too long becomes stressed, aggressive and can develop obesity.
So, don’t leave your furry friend indoors for too long!
Go on walks at least once a day and play with it as much as you can!
- Eyes Issues
Another common issue with the Jack Russell Terrier is eye conditions. They’re usually a product from old age, but it can happen early on in life, depending on the dog.
There’s a few conditions like Cataract (opacity of the eye), Glaucoma (increases pressure of the eye) and general blindness.
This usually is easily treated, but if it’s not looked into earlier on, it can lead to blindness.
Apart from those, there are several different diseases and conditions common to most dogs, but they’re usually genetic and rare.
General Care with your Dog
Apart from trips to the vet, you can improve your dog’s health and lifespan with simple daily care.
The Jack Russell Terrier breed has three different coats of hair: short hair, long and rough hair, and broken and wire hair.
These types can show up in newborn puppies from the same mother, since the occurrence of them it’s genetic, just like the hair colors.
Jack Russells are known for their white coat, with black and brown spots, which can make them look like they have a mask on.
When it comes to fur shedding, the Jack Russell Terrier is not a hypoallergenic breed, but its shedding is not as bad as most dogs.
Short hair is easier to maintain, but there’s a bit more shedding, while the long hair is harder to maintain, but doesn’t shed as much.
Overall, with one brushing session a week and two showers a month, your dog will be happy and your house will be clean!
I hope you enjoyed the article.
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Strong hug!
Bob and family.