Jack-Rat Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small, athletic terrier breed that presents a picture of balance, flexibility, and working capability. Standing between 10 and 15 inches at the shoulder, these compact dogs typically weigh between 11 and 17 pounds, with ideal proportions creating a dog that is slightly longer than tall. The breed exhibits a distinctly rectangular body shape with a muscular build that reflects their heritage as working hunting dogs bred specifically to pursue foxes. Their chest is moderately deep rather than wide, allowing them to enter underground dens while pursuing quarry into tight spaces. The overall impression is one of a sturdy, capable dog built for endurance and agility rather than speed alone, with well-developed hindquarters providing the power needed for sustained activity. The breed features three distinct coat types: smooth, rough, and broken. The smooth coat lies flat against the body and has a sleek, dense appearance requiring minimal grooming, while the rough coat is longer and more textured throughout with a coarse outer layer. The broken coat combines elements of both, featuring longer hair on certain parts of the body with shorter sections elsewhere. Regardless of type, the coat is always double-layered and weather-resistant, providing protection during outdoor work. The predominant color is white, which must cover at least 51 percent of the body, with markings in black, tan, or combinations of these colors typically appearing on the head and at the base of the tail. Distinctive physical features include a flat skull of moderate width that narrows gradually toward the eyes, creating the characteristic fox-like expression that defines the breed. The ears are small, V-shaped, and carried forward in a button or dropped position close to the head. Dark, almond-shaped eyes convey an alert and intelligent expression that reflects the breed's keen awareness. The nose is always black, and the jaw structure shows strong, well-developed muscles capable of considerable gripping power. The tail is customarily docked to approximately five inches and is carried high when the dog is alert or moving, serving as a useful handle when extracting the dog from underground work.

The Rat Terrier is a compact, athletically built American breed that comes in two recognized size varieties. Miniature Rat Terriers stand between 10 and 13 inches at the shoulder, while the Standard variety measures 13 to 18 inches. Weight ranges typically fall between 10 and 25 pounds, with body mass proportionate to height. The breed presents a smoothly muscled, elegant appearance that reflects their dual heritage as both farm dogs and companions. Their body is slightly longer than tall, providing the flexibility needed for quick movements and sharp turns when pursuing vermin. The Rat Terrier's coat is short, dense, and smooth with a natural sheen that indicates good health. The fur lies close to the body without being excessively fine or sparse. A distinguishing characteristic of the breed is the pied coloring pattern, which features large patches of one or more colors on a white background. Accepted colors include black, chocolate, red ranging from pale copper to deep rust, apricot, blue, fawn, tan, and lemon. These colors appear in combination with white, which typically covers a significant portion of the body. Solid colored dogs without white markings are not considered standard. The head is proportionate to the body with a wedge shape when viewed from above, featuring a moderate stop between the skull and muzzle. Ears are set on the outside edge of the skull and may be erect, tipped, or button, with erect ears being preferred in the show ring. Eyes are oval-shaped, somewhat small, and set obliquely, giving an alert, intelligent expression. Eye color ranges from dark brown to hazel, with amber eyes acceptable in dilute-colored dogs. The feet are compact and oval, with well-arched toes and thick pads suited for active work. The tail may be naturally bobbed, docked short, or left full length, carried in a slight upward curve.