We all know the Jack Russell Terrier, the patchy white dog created over 200 years ago in England as a tireless furry fox-hunter and cute, clever companion.
Since Parson John Russell first developed his Jack Russell, the breed has found genuine global appreciation.
But did you know that this rowdy, rambunctious pooch is so popular that they’ve spawned several variations?
In this post, we’ll look at the differences between the Shorty, English, and Parson Jack Russell.
What are the different types of Jack Russells?
Ever since the Jack Russell breed was first established, it has spawned a variety of sub-types. One is the Shorty Jack Russell, a breed developed in recent years.
This Jack has a long body and a big desire to please. Of all the Jack varieties, this is the most companionable.
Then there’s the Parson Jack Russell. This older Jack variation with longer legs is perfect for hunting and stamina. Almost a large dog, you need to have an active household to adopt a Parson Jack Russell.
And finally, there’s the standard Jack Russell from which these variations were derived. With a size between these two other Jacks, this unapologetic feisty, fearless canine is loved worldwide.
What is the Shorty Jack Russell like?
The Shorty Jack Russell is the newest of the Jack Russell subtypes. Standing at 8 to 12 inches, the Shorty Jack has the shortest legs of all the Jack Russell variations.
Shorty Jack Russells have all the same colorings as a standard Jack Russell – black, brown, or tan while being mainly white. They also have the same coat types – broken, smooth, or rough.
The main difference between this Jack Russell and a standard Jack Russell is their legs. The Shorty Jack Russell has notably short legs. This makes the Shorty a Dachshund-like pooch, shorter than they are long.
The Shorty Jack Russell also has a unique temperament. Other Jack Russells are less sociable and won’t tolerate children or other dogs well. But the Shorty gets along with other animals and people much better.
Just because they’re short doesn’t mean they can’t jump – Shorty Jack Russells can run and jump just as well as any other Jack Russell – up to five feet!
Shorty Jack Russells are also alert and make an excellent alarm system.
What is the Parson Jack Russell like?
The Parson Jack Russell is the tallest of the three dogs. Named after Parson John Russell, who created the Jack Russell breed, a Parson Jack Russell stands at 12 to 15 inches rather than a standard Jack Russell’s 10 to 12. These longer legs allow the Parson Jack Russell to hunt better in hillier areas.
Otherwise, the Parson Jack Russell looks much the same as the other Jack Russells. They are primarily white, with brown, tan, or black patches, or a combination of all these colors in their markings.
Being a dog developed for hunting, the Parson Jack Russell can retain this trait. If you aren’t careful, you’ll find your Parson Jack Russell Terrier hunting down toy cars, family pets, and anything that moves.
So, if you adopt a Parson Jack Russell Terrier, you’ll need to find a way to give them plenty of exercise. Parson Jack Russell Terriers don’t like to be sedentary.
What is the English Jack Russell like?
The English Jack Russell is simply the standard Jack Russell created by the English Parson, John “Jack” Russell. First bred 200 years ago to hunt down foxes, the standard Jack Russell Terrier is a bright and independent little dog. Just like other terriers, standard Jacks need as much exercise as you can give them.
There is more variance in the standard Jack’s size. Typical Jack Russells have heights from 10 to 15 inches, weighing 13 to 17 pounds. They are feisty, playful dogs, loving nothing more than to pursue anything remotely resembling prey tirelessly.
Since the breed was first developed, the Jack Russell has always been intelligent. Now don’t think this makes the breed any easier to train, however – the Jack is just as stubborn and wilful as they are clever.
Standard Jack Russell Terriers look much the same as the other Jacks – a smooth or broken coat, never wavy or curly. They are always primarily white, with tan or black markings or even both. In their past, this white color helped a hunter spot them in the field.
Standard Jacks have a typical proportioned body, not excessively long but not notably short either. Like all the other Jack Russell variations, they need very little in the way of grooming, too – just give them a brush once a week, a bath any time they get smelly, and a trim of their nails when they get long, and you’re good to go!
How do I care for my Jack Russell?
Though these three different types of Jack Russell have some distinct differences, caring for any Jack Russell entails pretty much the same kind of thing.
Jack Russells can be snappish and refuse to tolerate unwanted touching. So, be sure to teach any children in your household not to pull your Jack Russell’s ears or tail and not to lift them. Also, teach kids not to touch your Jack Russell’s food or chews and not to try petting them while sleeping.
Jack Russells also have a strong prey drive and will chase squirrels, cats, and birds until they are exhausted while ignoring your calling to them. So, you’ll need to work hard on your Jack’s recall skills and think very carefully about letting them off the leash.
That said, Jacks can live with cats and other pets. You just need to give them plenty of time to get used to each other and be careful about leaving them alone together.
Even with other dogs, the Jack Russell can be aggressive and bark and bite when out on walks. Your Jack Russell will need plenty of training on this front. This doesn’t mean they’re unsuitable for multi-dog households, however. Your Jack Russell will probably get along with other pooch siblings.
So, what’s the difference between the Shorty, English and Parson Jack Russell?
So, the Shorty, English and Parson Jack Russell are all pretty much the same fearless and boisterous pooch at heart, with some physical differences and slightly different personalities that make them unique. The Shorty is long and sausage dog-like, the Parson is the stronger, bigger model, and the English is the classic dog we all know and love.
