If you’ve never owned a dog before and you’re looking at getting a furry friend, then I’m sure you have been asking around and looking for information about what dog to get.
I’m also sure that during your search you’ve come across information about Jack Russells, or maybe a friend who has one has recommended that you get a Jack Russell. But are Jack Russells a good dog to get if you’re a first-time owner? And, if you get one, what can you expect from this little creature with a big personality.
Well, I have 3 Jack Russells and I have all the information you need. So, join me as I take a look.
Are Jack Russells Good For First-Time Owners?
Jack Russells are good for first-time owners who live an active lifestyle and who are home quite often because they require daily exercise and frequent attention. They also require a living environment with space to run around and play, and there should preferably not be small animals in their environment. If you can offer this to your Jack Russell puppy, then he will be a great addition to your home.
However, if you are not active and if you’re not home often, then a Jack Russell will not be a good choice as your first dog. In addition to this, if you live in a small apartment or if you have small animals in your home, then you will struggle with your new Jack Russell.
It is important to make sure that your lifestyle and living environment will suit your new Jack Russell because they do have specific requirements. They will often display unwanted behavior when they don’t get what they need, and this can make life very difficult for a first-time owner and everyone else in the household.
9 Jack Russell Facts For First-Time Owners
If you’re set on getting a Jack Russell and you are able to provide it with everything that it needs, then it is worth looking at what you can expect from your furry new friend.
1.) They Are Very Smart
Jack Russells are incredibly smart and they are fairly easy to train. This will make it easy for any owner to train his Jack Russell to do tricks and more importantly, to stop displaying a certain type of unwanted behavior.
2.) They Require Daily Exercise
These furry creatures have a lot of pent-up energy which they need to get rid of, otherwise, they will get bored and display unwanted behavior. Be prepared to spend at least an hour each day giving your pup exercise or playtime.
3.) They Don’t Like To Be Left Alone
Jack Russells really don’t like to be left alone for too long at a time. They will get anxious when you leave them at home and this will often result in your furniture or other items in your home getting destroyed.
4.) They Might Hunt Smaller Animals
They have a very strong prey drive and a natural instinct to hunt, so if you have small animals in your home then you need to take care. If your Jack Russell is still young then you need to consider training it to get along with the small animals in your home.
5.) They shed a lot
Sadly, Jack Russells shed a lot and you will often find yourself cleaning the furniture or changing the bed covers if you allow your Jack Russell to jump onto it.
6.) They can bark a lot
Jack Russells can bark a lot but it is only because they have a very protective nature. If they sense any danger or a threat to their owners, then they will bark in an attempt to protect them.
7.) They can dig up your yard
They have a tendency to dig and they’ll often dig as a form of exercise because they were never taught there are better ways to burn energy than to dig.
8.) They can be aggressive towards other dogs
Jack Russells are not aggressive by nature, but they can be aggressive towards other dogs, especially small dogs. If properly socialized from a young age, they can be great companions to quite a variety of dogs.
9.) They are susceptible to certain illnesses
As Jack Russells get older, they are susceptible to both arthritis and dental issues. It is therefore important for owners to brush their dog’s teeth regularly and keep track of any health concerns in order to treat them before they become worse.
Conclusion
As you can see, Jack Russells can be great for first-time owners, but you need to meet specific requirements before you take a Jack Russell into your home.
They require daily exercise, frequent attention, and a living environment where they can run around. They might also chase small animals in your home and they need to be trained from a young age to be around other animals to successfully live with them.
As I mentioned, I have 3 Jack Russells and they have given me many years of happiness and I have absolutely no regrets about adopting them.
