OFFICIAL FCI STANDARD
The official standard of the Jack Russell Terrier breed is a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed. The aim is to describe the desirable characteristics, both physical (appearance, proportions, hair, size, correct color of the breed, etc.) and psychological (temperament, behavior), to ensure the preservation of the racial type and guarantee that the breed is suitable for its function.
Breeders use the standard as aimed at achieving and judges to assess the quality of dogs in shows or to determine if a dog meets the typical characteristics of the breed. Thus the type remains constant over the time.
OFFICIAL STANDARD OF THE JACK RUSSELL TERRIER BREED
Standard F.C.I. No 345 / 05.12.2012 / EN
ORIGIN: England.
COUNTRY OF DEVELOPMENT: Australia.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID STANDARD: 08.10.2012.
UTILIZATION: A good working Terrier with ability to go to ground. An excellent companion dog.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION:
Group 3 Terriers.Section 2 Small Terriers.Working trial optional.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Jack Russell Terrier originated in England in the 1800’s due to the efforts of the Reverend John Russell. He developed a strain of Fox Terriers to suit his needs for a dog to run with his foxhounds and go to ground to bolt the fox and other quarry from their dens. Two varieties evolved with basically similar Standards except for differences, mainly in height and proportions. The taller, more squarely built dog is now known as the Parson Russell Terrier and the shorter, slightly longer proportioned do, is known as the Jack Russell Terrier.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: A strong, active, lithe working Terrier of great character with flexible body of medium length. His smart movement matches his keen expression. Tail docking is optional and the coat may be smooth, rough or broken.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
The overall dog is longer than high, i.e. rectangular. The depth of the body from the withers to the brisket should equal the length of foreleg from elbows to the ground. The girth behind the elbows should be about 40 to 43 cms.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: A lively, alert and active Terrier with a keen, intelligent expression. Bold and fearless, friendly but quietly confident.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: The skull should be flat and of moderate width gradually decreasing in width to the eyes and tapering to a wide muzzle.
Stop: Well defined but not over pronounced.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black.
Muzzle: The length from the stop to the nose should be slightly shorter than from the stop to the occiput.
Lips: Tight-fitting and pigmented black.
Jaws/Teeth: Very strong, deep, wide and powerful. Strong teeth closing to a scissor bite.
Cheeks: The cheek muscles should be well developed.
Eyes: Small dark and with keen expression. Must not be prominent and eyelids should fit closely. The eyelid rims should be pigmented black. Almond shaped.
Ears: Button or dropped of good texture and great mobility.
NECK: Strong and clean allowing head to be carried with poise.
BODY:
Back: Level. The length from the withers to the root of tail slightly greater than the height from the withers to the ground.
Loin: The loins should be short, strong and deeply muscled.
Chest: Chest deep rather than wide, with good clearance from the ground, enabling the brisket to be located at the height mid-way between the ground and the withers. Ribs should be well sprung from the spine, flattening on the sides so that the girth behind the elbows can be spanned by two hands - about 40 cm to 43 cm. Point of sternum clearly in front of the point of shoulder.
TAIL: May droop at rest. When moving should be erect and if docked the tip should be on the same level as ears.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
Shoulder: Well sloped back and not heavily loaded with muscle.
Upper arm: Of sufficient length and angulation to ensure elbows are set under the body.
Forelegs: Straight in bone from the elbows to the toes whether viewed from the front or the side.
Forefeet: Round, hard, padded, not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in nor out.
HINDQUARTERS:
General appearance: Strong and muscular, balanced in proportion to the shoulder.
Stifle (Knee): Well angulated.
Hock joint: Low set.
Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Parallel when viewed from behind while in free standing position.
Hind feet: Round, hard, padded, not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in nor out.
GAIT / MOVEMENT: True, free and springy.
COAT
Hair: May be smooth, broken or rough. Must be weatherproof.
Coats should not be altered (stripped out) to appear smooth or broken.
Colour: White must predominate with black and/or tan markings. The tan markings can be from the lightest tan to the richest tan (chestnut).
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Ideal Height at the withers: 25 cms to 30 cms.
Weight: Being the equivalent of 1 kg to each 5 cms in height, i.e. a 25 cms high dog should weigh approximately 5 kgs and a 30 cms high dog should weigh 6 kgs.
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on its ability to perform its traditional work.
- Lack of true terrier characteristics.
- Lack of balance, i.e. exaggeration of any points.
- Sluggish or unsound movement.
- Faulty mouth.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
- Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
- Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.:
- Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum (this expression is obligatory in every standard).
- Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.
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