I think we can all agree that our furry friends don’t live as long as we want them to. They give us so much joy for many years, but somehow, when they pass, it feels like they haven’t been around for long.
Jack Russells can live up to 16 years, and even 17 years in some cases.
But I’ve been wondering, how old is the oldest Jack Russell?
Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
How Old Is The Oldest Jack Russell?
The oldest Jack Russell to have ever lived was a dog called Charlie from Britain who died in 2019 at the age of 23. The current oldest living Jack Russell, Boycie, also hails from Britain and despite being deaf, he is happy at the age of 21 years.
How Long Do Jack Russells Live?
Jack Russells can live to be 13-16 years and some have the potential to live as long as 17. Depending on the specific characteristics of an individual dog, and despite suffering from certain old age problems like deafness and eye disorders, it is theoretically possible for them to live up to 17 years of age.
When is a Jack Russell Considered A Senior Dog?
A Jack Russell is considered a senior dog when he is over 10 years old. Although he might live up to 16 or 17 years of age, he will start to show signs of aging at 10 years, and at 12 to 13 years he will start to slow down and will not be as energetic as usual.
Jack Russell Old Age Problems
As with any other dog breed, Jack Russells can suffer from certain old age problems. The following list will help you understand these problems, and hopefully, you would be able to take appropriate action when you identify one of these issues with your furry friend.
1.) Deafness
I’m listing this first as this was the first sign I noticed as my Jack Russell, Charlie, got older. Jack Russells can go completely deaf or only partially.
2.) Blindness
Jack Russells are prone to eye problems, and they can also go blind when they get old.
3.) Dental Issues
We all try to take good care of their teeth, but Jack Russells will eventually experience dental issues like gum diseases and decayed teeth when they get old.
4.) Weight Problems
A Jack Russell will get less active as he gets older, and this can lead him to gain weight if his diet is not adjusted properly.
5.) Arthritis
We all know that Jack Russells are very active dogs. Since they need exercise on a daily basis, and because they often run, jump, and do tricks, this can, unfortunately, lead to joint issues when they get old.
6.) Constant Shaking
Jack Russells can suffer from Wobbler Syndrome, constant shaking episodes when they get old.
7.) Epilepsy
Our furry friends can suffer from epilepsy when they get old. This has happened to Charlie, my Jack Russell, but luckily we were able to treat it with medication.
How Old Was The Oldest Dog To Have Ever Lived?
While I was doing some research on the oldest Jack Russell to have ever lived, I was wondering how old was the oldest dog to have ever lived.
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest dog was an Australian Cattle-dog named Bluey from Rochester in Australia who passed away on 14 November 1939 at the age of 29 years and 5 months. Bluey lived a (very) long and happy life and worked among cattle and sheep for nearly 20 years.
Conclusion
The oldest Jack Russell lived to be 23 years old, and this is well above the average life span of a Jack Russell. My oldest Jack Russell is also called Charlie and she is currently 17 years old.
She is slightly deaf and not as mobile as she used to be, but she has so much personality, and not a day goes by without her jumping with joy when she sees me.
I’ve obviously taken good care of her, but I think the secret to her long life is the love that she has received. I’ve read many comments from Jack Russell owners and many of them say that the secret to a long life for their furry friends is lots of love. I think this is such a true statement.
With love comes care and dedication, and this is something that any dog needs.
