Jack Russell insurance

This energetic breed of dog is small, smart and self-assured. They can be vocal when they want to be and cause all sorts of mischief if they’re bored. Essentially, they’re big dogs in a small dog’s body – and they don’t like to back down.

One of the most popular terrier breeds today, they were originally bred for hunting. Jack Russells are as fearless as they are curious - they love to explore and are known for their escape artistry skills. They need plenty of exercise each day and love to run, chase and play.

But alongside their feisty nature, lies a loyal, affectionate dog with a kind temperament. This makes them a wonderful companion or family pet.

This guide is full of information about how to look after your pet. From common health problems to finding the best Jack Russell insurance policy, we’ve got it covered.

Is a Jack Russell the right dog for you?

If you’re looking for an active pup, the Jack Russell is a great choice of dog. They might not be the best choice for first-time dog owners, but if you can take them out for walks every day and have the time and patience to train them properly, you’re onto a winner. It also helps if you have a good sense of humour, because their mischief knows no bounds.

Keeping them stimulated is key – if you don’t keep a Jack Russell dog entertained, they’ll find their own ways to amuse themselves. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods, so be sure to leave them with plenty of toys to play with when you’re out.

Is the Jack Russell a good family dog? Devoted and eager to please, they make great family pets, but are probably best suited to households with older children. Younger kids might find their boisterous nature a bit overwhelming.

Keen to find out more? Here are some interesting facts and figures about Jack Russell terriers.

Vital stats

Size: Small - 25cm to 38cm

Weight: 6kg to 8kg

Coat: Short - can be either smooth or wiry

Colours: White; White with black or tan markings

Grooming needs: Low

Exercise: 1 hour a day

Features: Compact; Muscular body

Social/attention needs: Moderate

Life span: 13 to 16 years

Temperament: Lively, adventurous and smart

Tendency to bark: High

Bred for: Fox hunting

Price: £600 - £1,200

Interesting facts about Jack Russells

• Bred for fox hunting, they’re still recognised as a working breed
• Jack Russells can jump up to five feet in the air – your garden will need high fences to stop them escaping!
• All Jack Russells descended from one dog – a British White Terrier named Trump who was owned by vicar (and keen dog breeder), Reverend John Russell
• Highly intelligent, they’re arguably one of the smartest small dog breeds in the world
• They love people, but are not always so keen on other pets and animals
• Eddie, the Jack Russell in US sitcom Frasier, received more fan mail than any of the human actors
• Celebrity owners of Jack Russells include Karl Lagerfeld, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Rick Stein, and Mariah Carey

Personality traits

Energetic

With a ton of energy and an urge to explore and hunt this breed will not be satisfied with a walk around the block. This is a dog that loves to run, jump and fetch. This is not the breed for you if you prefer a dog who will sit peacefully on the couch all day.

Stubborn

Teaching a Jack Russell to become a civilized companion is no easy task! It requires lots of time and patience, as well as a sense of humor. This breed has a mind of its own and won’t stand for boredom. However, if you are up to the challenge this breed will provide plenty of entertaining antics.

Devoted

Families with active, older children will find a Jack Russell to be a happy and affectionate playmate. Devoted to their people, these dogs love nothing more than being within the heart of the family.

Jack Russell’s at home

One of the many reasons why people fall in love with these dogs, is that they are loyal and loveable companions. They love their family and spending time around them, be it just hanging out or playing. So, if you spend lots of time away from home, this may not be the breed for you.

This breed is extremely active, so would suit a home that can provide several long walks a day and the time to set aside for consistent training.

Although they’re small, they have long legs, so they’re fast runners. They’re also very flexible and can get in small places. Your garden will need to be secure to stop your Jack Russell from escaping.

Top care tips

• Jack Russell’s don’t like to be left alone for long periods.
• Lots of toys are a must as this breed likes to chew.
• This dog requires lots of training, so make sure you can allocate plenty of time to this.
• Multiple walks suit this breed to keep them entertained.

Common health problems in Jack Russell terriers

Do Jack Russells have health problems? They are generally healthy, but like all breeds of dog, can suffer from a range of problems with their health.

As a responsible dog owner, you need to ensure your pet stays as healthy as possible. This means regular visits to the vet, a happy home and a healthy lifestyle. 

Jack Russells are prone to certain health issues, including:

Deafness

Inherited deafness is something that affects this terrier breed. Severe ear infections can also cause hearing loss. If you feel that your pooch is consistently ignoring you, it’s worth taking them for a checkup.

Eye problems

Primary lens luxation is an inherited disease, common in Jack Russells. The fibres keeping the lens suspended in the eye start to degrade and break, meaning the lens drops out of place. It can lead to secondary glaucoma and surgery may be required.

Joint pain

Arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation are all conditions affecting the joints and are common in Jack Russells. However, with prompt action, they can all be treated and managed. Keep an eye out for stiffness, lameness or changes in how your dog moves around.

Mast cell tumours

Mast cell tumours are a type of skin cancer commonly found in Jack Russells. They look like any other lump or bump, but these are harmful and need to be surgically removed as soon as possible. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the better your dog’s chances of survival.

Skin allergies

Jack Russells can suffer from genetic skin allergies caused by dust mites, pollen, mould and certain food. These allergies often lead to skin and ear infections. If you notice your dog scratching, biting or licking themselves, make an appointment with the vet. Medication and medicated washes can help reduce any inflammation and soothe irritation, while regular grooming can encourage skin cells to shed.

The cost of veterinary treatment can soon add up, but having insurance cover in place can help. Having tailored pet insurance that starts as soon as you welcome your four-legged friend home makes perfect sense.

Polydipsia

Polydipsia is excessive drinking or thirst. This can be caused by prolonged exercise, a salty diet, or drug-related side effects. Your vet will need to carry out some tests to work out the cause but, often diet and lifestyle changes can be made to resolve the problem.

History

The Jack Russell terrier is a true working terrier. The breed takes its name from the Reverend John Russell, who bred one of the finest strains of terriers for working fox in England. The Jack Russell is a baying terrier, meaning the dog should flush out the fox with his steady barking but is never to kill his prey. The Jack Russell has been strictly bred for hunting since its beginning in the early 1800s.

Because of their broad genetic make-up, there is some variance in the standard of Jack Russell terriers. In fact, disagreement about leg length has caused the breed to be divided into separate breeds in England, where the longer legged dogs are called Parson Jack Russell terriers and the shorter legged dogs are called simply Jack Russell terriers.

Media exposure, especially the popularity of "Moose," the terrier who plays "Eddie" on the television show "Frasier," and "Soccer," who stars in the children's show "Wishbone," have catapulted the breed to popularity.

Want to find out more about our Dog Insurance Product? 

We’ve listed our key benefits below and you can also take a look at our cover levels, customer reviews and awards.

Ready to get started? Click here to get a quote.

Tips on caring for your Jack Russell dog

Looking after any pet takes time, patience and commitment. You need to make sure your Jack Russell is eating a healthy diet, getting the exercise it needs and doesn’t develop any behavioural problems. Having pet insurance in place also gives you reassurance that you can give them the medical care they need, when they need it the most.

Having pet insurance is a good start, but here’s everything else you need to know to keep your dog looking and feeling in tip top shape.

Feeding your dog

As with all dogs, you’ll need to feed your pet a complete, balanced diet to keep them fit and healthy. When using treats as a training reward, you’ll need to reduce their food portions accordingly. Treats should be no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.

Grooming your dog

Whether smooth or rough, a Jack Russell’s coat is fairly low maintenance – although it will shed quite heavily. Brush their coat at least once a week to remove loose fur and keep it looking clean.

You also need to keep an eye on your dog’s teeth, brushing them daily to avoid gum disease.

Exercising your dog

Jack Russells love to be active and have seemingly endless energy levels. Take them out for two walks a day for at least 30 minutes each time. Exercising can also include playtime or agility practice. Their high prey drive means they have a strong desire to chase – perfect for a game of fetch. Check out our guide to dog walking for tips and ideas.

The more physical exercise you’re able to give your dog, the more mentally stimulated they will be.

Remember: boredom can often lead to destructive behaviour (and there are some things your pet insurance - dog, cat, or other animal - won’t cover).

Training your dog

Jack Russells are fast learners and very eager to please. This makes them prime candidates for training and they will do well with a firm but fair approach. You need to let them know who is ‘top dog’!

This adventurous breed loves to explore, so good lead and recall training is essential.

The Purely Pet Promise

At Purely, we’re here to support you. That’s why we offer a 24 Hour Vet Helpline free of charge to all of our customers. Our easy to use online portal ‘Manage My Policy’, enables you to access to your policy 24hrs a day. This provides greater flexibility, allowing you to manage your policy at a time that suits you, so that you can spend more time with your furry friends, and less time managing your insurance. Get a quote

Types of insurance for Jack Russells

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to insurance for Jack Russells. Each offers different levels of cover and support. There are four main types of dog insurance to choose from.

Lifetime pet insurance

The highest level – and most expensive – pet insurance on offer, it covers a variety of health conditions over a 12-month period. There will be a limit on how much you can spend on treatment for any one condition each year – if you go over that amount you will have to cover the costs yourself. But, as long as you renew your insurance policy each year and keep up to date with your premiums, that figure will reset at renewal.

Maximum benefit pet insurance

A maximum benefit insurance policy allows you to spend up to a fixed amount on a specific condition. Once you have reached the limit for that condition, you will not be able to claim for any additional treatment. Even if you renew the policy, you will have to cover those costs yourself.

Time limited pet insurance

A time limited insurance policy covers you and your pet for one year only. The policy will have a fixed limit, and if you reach that limit before the 12 months is up, your pet will no longer be covered. Plus, if you need treatment for more than a year, you will not be able to claim against the policy.

Accident only pet insurance

As the name suggests, this insurance policy covers your pet if they are injured in an accident, but not if they develop an illness or health condition. If you’re wondering: what is the most affordable dog insurance, accident only is the answer. But it might not necessarily be the right cover for you. If your dog does develop symptoms and require veterinary treatment, you will have to cover those costs out of your own pocket.

How much does Jack Russell insurance cost?

Before taking the plunge and getting a Jack Russell, it’s important you consider the cost of dog ownership.

If you’re looking at Jack Russell puppies, one will probably set you back £700 to £1,000 (a pure breed rather than a Jack Russell cross). Although, you might find that adopting a pup is a more cost-effective way of going about that process as many people have to give up their pets.

Then you’ve got your equipment costs. You’ll need a lead, collar, harness, dog bed, grooming brush, toys and doggy toothpaste and toothbrushes. Add to that the cost of food, boarding kennel fees, training costs, and doggy day care.

You’ve also got to think about vets bills. Preventative treatment (routine vaccinations, worming treatment and neutering) don’t tend to be covered as part of a pet insurance policy. However, if your dog were to develop an illness or was injured in an accident and required medical attention, a Jack Russell pet insurance policy would cover those costs (often up to a fixed limit).

In terms of what dogs cost the most insurance, breeds such as the Bulldog and Rottweiler usually top that list. But when it comes to insurance costs, Jack Russell terriers are among the cheapest dogs to insure.

Finding the right pet insurance

If you’re looking to protect your Jack Russell, simply get in touch with the team at Purely Pets. Our experts can help you find specialist pet insurance to meet the needs of you and your dog. 

Get your free quote and apply for tailored pet insurance today.

Customer reviews

We’re committed to improving our Pet Insurance products wherever possible, which is why feedback from our customers is so important to us. We’re incredibly proud of our Excellent Trustpilot rating and you can read the latest reviews from our fantastic customers below.

Find out more

You can find out more about our Dog Insurance product below and there’s more help available on our FAQs page.