How to Keep Your Jack Russell Happy and Active: Exercise and Diet Tips
Our four-legged friends make our lives worth living. Their boundless optimism, cheerful energy, and affectionate nature help us lead a better quality of life. Now, everyone prefers different breeds like Labradors or Jack Russell dogs depending on their personality, needs, and available space. For example, the number of people who owned this breed increased by over 14% between 2021 and 2022, as per the Daily Mail. So, if you’re thinking about adopting a Jack Russell terrier, then continue reading to know more about these adorable pets below! Let’s explore more below! Think of a small dog that has the energy of a Labrador. That’s exactly what Jack Russell dogs are like. So, it's like having a furry, highly charged dynamo running about your house, which will never fail to make you smile. They have an amazing capacity for jumping, walking for long distances, and more! But how do they look? Well, these dogs have 3 main types of coats: smooth, rough and broken. You can identify them from their white coats that have either tan or black marks. These fascinating four-legged animals were originally bred in the 1800s by Reverend John Rusell for hunting foxes. As a result, they have a distinct set of characteristics that is a remnant from their origins. They especially like being kept busy and enjoying the companionship of their loved ones or other people. Thanks to their high energy levels, it might be a tad difficult to train at first. Expect a lot of digging and retrieving behavior, again a throwback to their hunting origins. Jack Russell Terrier dogs can also jump to a height of five feet, and have the capacity to burrow underground continuously for days on end since they were used for hunting for foxes. This species is also known for its friendliness, as remarked by 84% of owners in 2022. As mentioned previously, these dogs have a high energy level and have the capacity for a lot of work. This is why it is ideal if you have a home with a large yard where the Jack Russell puppy can run about for long hours. These dogs also have a natural tendency to explore their surrounding areas, so you’ll have to ensure that you guide them well with the help of erecting a fence or something similar. Furthermore, they require you to train them consistently and firmly, since these intelligent animals can be quite willful. So, if you aren’t able to give a lot of time to them, you should hire a trainer who can, as you might find it difficult to manage them otherwise. If you have been feeling a little intimidated on how to train your Jack Russell puppy, then don’t worry. Continue reading to learn more about how you can do so. On average, your Jack Russell Terrier will require about 1 hour of exercise every day, along with several play sessions in between. However, as a first-time dog owner, you’ll have to be very careful, since they will require a firm hand in disciplining them. Additionally, if you keep them cooped up for long periods, then they can resort to chewing, digging and excessive barking. Now, when you’re training them, you should remember to be confident, since they respond well to authority. You must also help them socialise with other animals to prevent them from chasing the latter in the future, especially smaller animals that can trigger their prey drive. They also love going on long walks, so you can take them with you when you go for your grocery runs, to the park, etc. This will help them burn off all their extra energy. You must be wondering how to keep the attention of your Jack Russell Terrier during the training process. Generally, you can do so with the help of various puzzles, and other types of adventures. One of the best ways to stimulate the attention of your Jack Russell terrier is by taking them on long walks, or hikes. That's because, as we mentioned previously, they are highly energetic dogs who prefer running and walking to sleeping. So, doing so will help them burn their energy in a productive manner while also engaging their mind as they take in the sights and smells of the new locations they travel to. You can also consider putting them through an obstacle course, like they do at dog shows, since they will use all their intelligence and energy to beat this course. At home, you can consider games like treasure hunt, where you hide their favourite treats and tell them to find it, shuffling their treats between 3 cups, etc. You can also teach them new commands like rolling over, make them identify new objects, and so on. However, if you don’t have any such things on hand, you can choose to run and let your dog try and catch you. This will let them use their natural abilities of hunting and chasing in a good way, and tire them out without overly exerting any effort. Another thing you can do is start running next to them when they grow old enough for a loose leash and reward them with treats for doing so. This will help them build their confidence and maintain and improve their stamina. While you might find the thought of doing all these things tiring, the rewards will outweigh your effort, since you will have a friendly, active, intelligent and loyal companion in your home. However, there is one thing you should be aware about. Jack Russell terrier dogs love burrowing and barking. So if you aren't okay with this idea, you should rethink your decision. You must keep an eye on the age of your pooch to ensure that you don’t exercise them excessively. For instance, we would recommend training your Jack Russell puppy for where between 30-40 minutes, with a combination of physical exercises and mental stimulation via new commands. As your dog reaches his/her youth, you can increase the duration to 50-60 minutes or 90 minutes, depending on how they respond to it. However, you should not put a strain on your advanced-age dog, as it might lead to over-exertion. Let’s talk about how much nutrition a Jack Russel puppy needs in contrast to an adult below. Generally, Jack Russell Terriers weigh anywhere between 13 to 17 pounds. So, they require a daily caloric intake of 450 to 650 calories, which will depend on the amount of activity they get. However, you should avoid this if your dog is older than or is 7 years of age. On the other hand, you will need to feed your puppies about 800 and 900 calories daily, till they are at least a year old. Furthermore, you should regularly weigh them once every month to ensure that they aren’t overfeeding. So, if their weight exceeds 17 pounds, then they are considered to be overweight. In this case, you should reach out to your veterinarian. Firstly, you should ensure that the dog food is crunchy in nature since this will prevent dental issues like plaque going forward. Additionally, you should ration your dog food into two to three different meals, since they have small stomachs. This is why dividing the food helps them digest it better. Do remember to read the instructions from the manufacturer on how much to feed your dog. Normally, small dogs cannot digest some ingredients like grains or meat by-products, which are typically found in lower-quality diets. These grains may be eliminated undigested. You should consider feeding your Jack Russell a premium diet if the dog attempts to consume the undigested food found in the droppings. You should primarily feed your Jack Russell with a protein-heavy diet that includes beef, fish or poultry like chicken etc. When you read the manufacturer’s nutritional information on the dog food package, the first ingredient will be the main ingredient, so consider it accordingly. This will help them build their muscles, strength and stamina. Remember to avoid dog food with a high concentration of corn, wheat, etc. Furthermore, you should avoid food with preservatives like ethoxyquin, etc. As we mentioned previously, Jack Russell terrier dogs are prone to skin-based allergies. This is why their diets should be free from corn, wheat, gluten and soy. However, you should carefully check for which farm they source their poultry ingredients from. This is because these dogs are allergic to certain types of protein like beef, chicken, etc. However, this isn’t a common occurrence, so you should consult your veterinarian for more conclusive advice. You can also contact us. You can determine if they are allergic by observing symptoms like itchy skin, and increased biting and licking of skin. Lastly, you can consider adding food rich like fish oil, etc. which is rich in Omega-3, to reduce skin inflammation. You should feed your two or three meals per day by dividing the protein quantity as per the mentioned quantity. Remember to use a measuring cup as per your needs to ensure accuracy. However, generally, two meals per day are recommended, as seen below. Some common mistakes you should avoid when training your dog are: You should not exceed the quantity of food you offer to your Jack Russell terrier during meal times. This might lead to indigestion since they cannot digest a lot of food at once. Furthermore, this can lead to issues like dental problems, and obesity that can lead to joint pain. For instance, as per a study conducted in 2021, about 4.8% of 1508 Jack Russells were overweight. Some other issues include Cushing’s Disease, diabetes, and cancers. As we mentioned previously, these dogs are quite active, so if you avoid taking them out on regular walks or for exercise, then this will lead to trouble. He/she will become an aggressive, destructive dog who will chase your family cat, chew on your furniture and dominate other dogs. This will lead to a lot of destruction. It can also contribute to obesity, like overfeeding, as your pooch will not be able to burn all the energy from the food they receive. So, as you can see, having a Jack Russell terrier in your home will lead to a lot of joy and happiness since they are quite affectionate and make great family companions. However, in case you are a first-time parent, you should consider getting in touch with us since you will have to prepare well and stay one or two steps ahead of them. Good luck!About the Jack Russell Terrier
Unique Characteristics of Jack Russell Terriers
Energy Levels and Exercise Requirements
Essential Exercise Tips for Jack Russell Dogs
Daily Exercise Recommendations for Jack Russell Puppies
Creative Activities to Engage Your Jack Russell Terrier
Games and Puzzles for Mental and Physical Stimulation
How to Avoid Overexertion in Jack Russell Dogs
The Best Diet for a Healthy Jack Russell Terrier
Nutritional Needs of Jack Russell Puppies vs. Adults
Choosing the Right Type of Food for Your Jack Russell
Protein-Rich Diet for High Energy
Avoiding Common Allergies in Jack Russell Diets
Feeding Schedule Tips for Jack Russell Dogs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overfeeding Your Jack Russell Puppy
Skipping Playtime
Ensuring a Happy and Active Jack Russell Terrier