Jack Russell makes a good all-around dog for many people. Playful, affectionate, and cute, while also alert and protective, a Jack Russell Terrier will get you up in the morning for your daily walk, but will also later happily snuggle up to you on the couch to be petted all night.
Considering these traits, though, are Jack Russell’s a good dog for seniors?
What was the Jack Russell bred for?
Did you know that the Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred to hunt? The dog was first bred by a Parson named John “Jack” Russell, who wanted a dog that could help him out in his favorite pastime of hunting foxes.
This is why one type of Jack Russell is referred to as the Parson Russell Terrier.
Parson John certainly succeeded in creating this dog – Jack Russell Terriers can still be seen hunting down foxes, squirrels, and even that spare toilet roll or ball of wool!
Are Jack Russells good guard dogs for seniors?
For a senior who is living alone and is primarily interested in a dog for security, a Jack Russell makes a good option. The Jack Russell is an alert dog, with a keen sense of hearing that harks back to the breed’s hunting days.
As soon as your Jack Russell notices anything amiss, you can be sure that they will immediately report it to you, however small the disturbance is.
You may even find that your Jack Russell becomes your furry doorbell, alerting you to the presence of friends, the mailman, and kids playing in the street!
If you have a letter flap, you may have to think about fitting a cage around it, though, or using an indoor pet barrier to keep your Jack away from the front door at times.
Best letter box cages you can order online
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Do Jack Russells jump up on seniors?
If you or the elderly person you are thinking of is in any way frail, adopting a Jack Russell might not be the best choice.
This is because the Jack Russell Terrier breed has a well-known reputation for jumping up on people, regardless of who they are and how old they are.
You can try training your Jack Russell not to jump up on you and other people. But, it will be very difficult to completely break them of the habit.
A Jack Russell will likely always jump up when they are particularly excited, like when they are about to go for walkies. Still, with plenty of firm training, this can be dissuaded.
Will a Jack Russell need a lot of exercises?
In the same vein as the above, a Jack Russell Terrier will not be a suitable dog for a senior who does not have the energy required to take care of such a dog.
Though a Jack Russell can chill out on the couch all day, this is something that can only happen after the Jack Russell has been out for its daily exercise.
Fortunately, Jack Russell is a small enough dog and can make do with one 30 minute walk around the block each day, or some fetch in the yard. If this is still too much for a senior, a neighbor or dog walker volunteer can help out.
Your Jack Russell will likely need a harness for their walks, and you will need a strong leash with a comfortable grip, in case they pull.
Here are my two favorite harnesses for a Jack Russell
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Can a Jack Russell be affectionate to seniors?
Perhaps the most important trait to think about in a dog; is a Jack Russell cute and affectionate? Well, definitely yes!
The Jack Russell is so cute and friendly, in fact, that many Jack Russells attend programs in which they visit older people in nursing homes, cheering up the people living there, and enriching their lives.
Jack Russells are so affectionate, that many Jacks are even employed as therapy dogs and other types of service dogs.
Does a Jack Russell get along with other pets and animals?
If you already have other pets, like a cat or dog, or even so much as a garden bird feeder, all other animals will need to beware, because even today, the Jack Russell remains a big hunter.
Say goodbye to your garden birds or goldfish, because you will see a Jack Russell stalking the robins, squirrels, or hedgehogs in the yard, or climbing over the fence after neighborhood cats, sometimes with the full intent to kill! You will need to make sure your fence is climb and jump-proof.
The Jack Russell is also, unfortunately, unlikely to get along with other dogs, too, especially those of the same sex.
But if they are socialized from birth with other animals, a Jack Russell Terrier may surprise you with just how well they can get along with and protect other animals, from a cat to a parakeet!
Are Jack Russells obedient dogs?
A Jack Russell can be loyal and friendly and can be very obedient to its owner. It just takes persistent training in the early months.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Jack Russell can also be very mischievous, and will tear up anything they can get their paws on, especially when they haven’t had their daily exercise.
Tablets, medications, and other precious or small objects that look fun to such a dog; as soon as you bring your Jack Russell home, be fully prepared to never see them again unless you find a good way to lock everything up, out of their reach.
It’s worth thinking about investing in some child-proof locks for your Jack!
Are Jack Russells easy to take care of?
Did you know that the Jack Russell Terrier has a straight double coat? This coat could have two possible textures – broken, or smooth.
What’s more, either of these coats is very easy to take care of, needing only a weekly brush to keep the Jack healthy and looking at their best! So, taking care of your Jack Russell’s coat is a piece of cake!
Of course, a Jack Russell will also need their nails trimmed regularly, too, around once a month.
This can be a tricky procedure to carry out at home, though, so why not book your Jack Russell Terrier in for a monthly spa day at your local groomer’s?
But if you want to have a go at tackling your Jack’s nails at home, there are plenty of nail trimmers on the market. Some even have an LED!
And all dogs need dental care. You might think that giving your Jack Russell Terrier bones to chew on or dry food with plenty of roughage would mean that you are taking sufficient care of their teeth, and it does help greatly, but your Jack Russell will still need their teeth brushed at least twice a week.
If your Jack Russell turns out to be touchy about their teeth, why not give them dental treats or chews daily? This will help them to clean their own teeth in a fun way and can distract them and keep them occupied while you get on with something else.
So, are Jack Russells a good dog for seniors?
So, if you are a senior with a good amount of energy, but you still want a dog who is easy enough to take care of and keep clean, and you don’t already own any other pets a Jack Russell could be the dog for you.
But for a senior who has other animals around, who might trip over or be injured by a hyper, jumping dog, or who can’t always take their pooch out for the necessary daily stroll, a Jack Russell Terrier may not be so ideal.
