What It is Like to Own a Jack Russell Terrier

It is craziness I tell you!
Last Wednesday I shared what it is like to own an Italian greyhound and I said I would be sharing what it is like to own a Jack Russell and that is half of Kimbia and ALL of Kip and he never lets you forget it.
Craziness, fun, energy, lots of love all rolled up into one little dog. I wouldn't have it any other way however because Kip has such personality. 

Want to know what it is like to own a Jack Russell Terrier?
The Jack Russell is a happy, bold, energetic dog; they are extremely loyal, intelligent and assertive. Their greatest attribute is their working ability, closely followed by their excellent qualities as a companion. A Jack Russell can be equally contented bolting a fox or chasing a toy in your living room, or equally adept at killing a sock in the living room or a rat in your barn. Their funny antics will continually amuse you, their intelligence seems to know no bounds and their assertive nature and boundless energy can at times be overwhelming.Info found here
His bright, clever, athletic breed is on top of everything that's going on in his environment. Nothing gets by him. A solitary or sedate lifestyle is not suited to a Jack Russell Terrier. He requires full participation in the family and vigorous daily play sessions, especially ball chasing, which he tends to be passionate about – even obsessive. Too little exercise, too little companionship, and too little mental stimulation will quickly lead to boredom, which will in turn lead to destructive behaviors. JRTs are not apartment dogs!
Most Jack Russell Terriers are happy-go-lucky and friendly with strangers, but in the presence of strange dogs, keep them close and under control. If the other dog minds its own manners, the Jack Russell will usually adhere to a "live and let live" philosphy, but some Jack Russells are so brash and fearless they will take on a Rottweiler if it looks cross-eyed at them.Info found here

Kip is a very intense dog, he is always alert, always ready to go and I swear he sleeps with one eye open because he follows the Boy Scout motto, always be prepared.
Look at how focused he is from his favorite spot in the house.



Sean likes to join Kip.

Kip is incredibly smart and I swear he understands English because since his favorite words are walk, breakfast, dinner, and go.

Kip is always very loveable but he is choosy when he wants to display his love and affection for you. Sometimes I call Kip, a grumpy grandpa because nothing seems to make him happy but then he can be very sweet the next minute. Jack Russells are very tempermental.

 I love when he cocks his little head to one side or the other like he is trying to understand me and one of his ears doesn't lay as flat at the other and it is those little quirks about him that make him so adorable. Or when he is carrying around his man purse.
The biggest challenge to owning a Jack is their energy for sure and making sure you keep them active. Kip loves going on morning runs with me, he loves going hiking, he just loves not being inside the house. Jack Russells are definitely hunting type of dogs, just last week Kip impatiently was telling us there was something under the couch, turns out that thing was a lizard. Whenever I take Kip for a walk and there is a hole, I tell him hole and he goes straight to it because he wants whatever might be in that hole. Whether a snake, a rat or nothing, Kip's hunting instincts go on high alert!
I love to watch Kip when his hunting instincts kick in, he is stock straight, tail pointed and one of his front paws is off the ground and tucked underneath his chest.

At times when he is on my last nerve, I sometimes wish he was back in the cute puppy stage because how can you not love this face?


Every time I bake in my kitchen, you will find Kip here by my side watching me while I bake and hoping I drop morsels or crumbs down to him.

So that is what it is like to own a Jack Russell, it means lots of energy, very focused, very smart and most of the time lovable.

62 comments:

Lindsay [Elle Elizabeth] said...

Haha this is so funny! I grew up with Jack Russells all my life and boy do they have energy! And super smart is for sure! Our last Jack knew the second that you got out your bathing suit, that we were going into the pool and he would run to the back door and cry until you let him go swimming :)

Kalie said...

This makes me miss my old dog. My roommate & I had a jack russell/beagle mix. We lived in an apartment with her for 4 months and then my roommate moved into a house, so she got custody so Emma could run outside and play, because just like you said, they are hyper dogs who need to run & chase. But such good companions and she would even cuddle with us when calm!

Courtney said...

So stinkin' cute!!

Rach said...

Aww, he is SO cute! My brother-in-law has a Jack Russell mix and she is SO hyper! They are sweet dogs, though. :)

REBrown said...

So cute! The only jack russells I've been around have been super high energy, but really sweet.

lo @ crazy ever after said...

I still can't get over how our two dogs are almost the same breed mixes. How lucky are we to have these booger loves (yes, I actually call them that!) in our lives? Does Kip like to roll in your bath towels the minute you let them hit the floor? I will attempt to hang them up but Apple will jump up, pull it down, and proceed to roll in it. So odd.

angie said...

Aww I would love a jack russel, and this is making me want one even more! Kip is gorgeous.

Veronica Lee Burns said...

hahaha oh what a precious precious face though!

Always Maylee said...

He is so cute! I love that first picture... very determined to look out the window, haha! :)

xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee

Erin @ Happily Obsessed said...

We have a Jack Russel and he is the best!!! I totally agree they do understand exactly what we are saying!!! Ours is allergic to the world so he is on steriods and is overweight but I remember when he had all that energy, he's fat and old (9yrs).

Ashley @ ladyacray.blogspot.com said...

Oh my gosh those pictures are hysterical! Such personality!

Tarabelle said...

I just love this post; i have a Beagle and she shares ALOT of Kips traits.

Tara

Flora and Fauna said...

What a cutie!! That face! :)

A and B said...

OK, that is the CUTEST little thing ever! I've always wanted one of those but I don't know if I am high-energy enough for that kind of little pup :)

Anonymous said...

awww--I love the little fella! How sweet! I want one!! Is he an in-house doggie? He is so cute!!

Discovery Street said...

My dog is part terrier...high energy is an understatement!!

Lauren said...

he is super cute! and kip is a great name!! Did you see the movie "The Artist"...the jack russel steals the show!

The Olive Tree Blog said...

haha love it! he is sooooooooooo cute!

Shannon Marie said...

Another great post, Meg! :) Precious!

Life With Lauren said...

HE is so adorable!

TheTinyHeart said...

These photos are so cute! I love the one of him on the windowsill! And I totally believe dogs can understand English :)

-Sharon
The Tiny Heart

Unknown said...

so sweet! My dog focuses on the window like that too, always ready for something exciting to happen!

Sarah Alway said...

Aw, he's super cute, I love his little face!

Hannah said...

Haha I truly think my family's JRT understands english. She is sooooooooo smart. We started having to spell words like "treat" and "outside" because she knew what they meant... but before long she learned the spelling too! Haha. Take care and look out for Kip's eyes -- glaucoma is hereditary in JRTs and if caught early can be preventable! xo

Erica said...

Awwww, I love pups. I've always heard JRT were full of energy and it sure does sound like it. Kip is so cute. I can just see the focus and drive in his eyes. :)

Lisa said...

He is so cute!!

Anonymous said...

Kip is adorable! I've grew up with two Jack Russels, Lily and Huckleberry, and everything you say is true! Looks like you guys have your hands full with that little stinker!

Anna Elder said...

Aww, he's so cute! Our dogs are fans of the word walk too. I swear my pug understands most of what I say to him. He's so clever.

Leah said...

Meg, he is ADORABLE!! I love the pic of him with his little head in the blinds. too, too cute!

Unknown said...

So cute!!!!

Kristen said...

OMG so cute!! It's great of you to give such detailed reviews on your breed because so many people get dogs without understanding the commitment or attention to what breed fits them best. I love JRT's, so freakin cute, but I don't think I have enough energy to be a suitable owner for one.

Faith said...

Hahaha, this post makes me happy. He is so cute! I am so happy that I have a dog. They seriously bring so much joy and then can make you so mad that you want to scream, lol.

P.S. one of my favorite things as well is when Izy cocks her head to the side. i LOVE it so much that i do things often just to make her do it, lol.

Wine and Summer said...

Omg he is so cute! I love this post! Made me smile!

Helene said...

oh how cute!! my friend had one! they are quite the trip!!

Unknown said...

awww what a little cutie cutie!

Darby Hawley said...

Oh my word, I love this little pup!!! What a cutie!

stylemailbox said...

awe doggie. so cute!

come say hello-
www.stylemailbox.com

agalandherdog said...

He's adorable!

Mal said...

awww, he's so adorable! Some old neighbors of mine had a jack russell, and that was the most energetic dog I've ever met, but he was also very sweet.

Mal @ The Chic Geek

Leslie H. said...

He is so adorable! I love how he is sitting on the floor in the kitchen!

Ed said...

Heheh cute pup! I had a jack russel growing up and your description is spot on!

Unknown said...

super cute!

http://sindy-ng.blogspot.co.uk

sherri lynn said...

Kip is so cute! I have to admit that I've been having a little bit of puppy fever from all of the cute dogs I've seen lately...

Lisa { Mom Wife Design Life Blog} said...

Aren't dogs just the funniest/cutest things! They have such personalities! So fun to watch, they entertain me! haha

xoxo Lisa
www.showeredwithdesign.blogspot.com

meandmr.com said...

Such a cute dog! I love him already.
-Melanie

Karen said...

Almost positive Kip and Freedom are related!

stephanie said...

Darling! We have the worlds most laidback dog of all time. Well until you go to leave the house than she loses her everloving mind.

lesley: the dream tree said...

i used to have a jack russell and loved her dearly. can't wait to get another one one day because they just make life so much better.

Holly Foxen Wells of Glamour Mash said...

Oh wow- Kip's little furry face is irresistible! My friend has two Jack Russels and they are so smart!!! I love him with him "man purse." heheh

xx

Holly Foxen Wells

GlamourMash

Mademoiselle Michael Blog said...

He's sooo cute! I used to have a fox terrier (a cousin to the jack russell) and all of the mannerisms you were describing fit her to a T as well...the head tilt, one ear up, one ear down! I loved reading about Kip. :)

LEIGH said...

Ahahaha! He is too much of a cutie! And oddly reminds me of my bird when my bird is peaking in between the blinds! Or more like extending his whole tiny body through the blinds to get as close to the window as possible!

Unknown said...

I had a JRT for, oh goodness, 10 years or so. She lives with my mom now and is about be 16! I love those dogs!

Ali W. said...

This is so cute! We don't have a pet, but I think if we got one, I would want a dog. They just seem so sweet and fun. Your is so cute!

anna | Today I like Blog said...

haha he looks so fun! I have a yellow lab myself and believe me, it's madness here! I have some pics of him here: http://www.todayilikeblog.com/2012/09/today-i-like-sammy-and-city.html
:)

Unknown said...

What a cutie, and such a character!

Annie said...

My parents have one too (they are actually on their second JRT after their 1st passed away at 14 years old)....they are crazy dogs! But so loveable, smart, and the cutest puppies ever!

Giovanna said...

Fun post! Your dog is adorbs!!

xx
Giovanna
www.oliveandanarrow.com

chantal marie said...

he is SO cute!! i love that puppy pic!

Kristin said...

and he is just sooooooo cute

Kathrin@shopschoolsleep said...

he is zoo cute!! i think my sister's dog is a JRT mix because man he is hyper!! but seriously he looks like such a sweet dog

Natalie said...

Yep they sure do give you that cute little face! This is spot spot on about a JRT!

Unknown said...

I am dying. What a sweet face! I love all dogs, but I am so drawn to Jack Russel Terriers. This was a fantastic post!