I'm all right, Jack

Small, but mighty, the feisty Jack Russell is as popular as ever, not least as it’s The Queen Consort’s breed of choice. Fellow terrier owner India Sturgis recounts why these tiny tearaways remain so perennially appealing

YOU can do just about anything with a Jack Russell,’ declares Greg Mousley, of Meynell Sundance Jack Russell Terriers, a renowned breeder of 50 years. ‘They are the most intelligent canine ever.’ To prove his point, Mr Mousley’s best trick, when working as a professional mounted terrierman for the Meynell and South Staffordshire foxhounds for 35 years, was to carry a Jack Russell—Digger or Axeman—in a specially made bag when out hunting. ‘The dog sat in front of me with the bag resting on the pommel of the saddle,’ he explains. ‘I used to jump, too, no problem; we’d jump a gate, anything. They loved it.’

Those familiar with the breed may not be surprised by their resilience, tenacity and working instinct. Jack Russells are tough, rambunctious and highly intelligent dogs— if occasionally able to push the limit of affec- tion with their eccentricities, peccadillos and fighting spirit at a picnic.

Jack Russells are tough, rambunctious and highly intelligent dogs–if able to push the limit of affection with their peccadillos

The terrier’s irrepressible self-confidence was noted long before the arrival of the strain familiar today. In AD207, the Greek poet Oppian wrote about small, underground hunting dogs, ‘work-limbed and black-eyed’, that were ‘flanked with no flesh and bristled with rough hairs’. There are records of ‘small curres that fallen to be terryers’ from the 14th century and Louis XI of France was reputed to have demanded that, during his final illness in 1483, cur dogs be introduced to his bedchamber to entertain him with rat hunts.