The NRTFC

Russell Terriers

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Welcome to the NRTFC

The NRTFC, American Rare Breed Association, the UKC and the Russell Terrier

Founded by Chauncey Z. Bennett in 1898, the United Kennel Club (UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dogs in the United States. Bennett formed the club in order to provide a registry for working dogs as opposed to the AKC's emphasis on dog conformation (looks). Bennett conceived and promoted the concept of the Total Dog, that is, a dog that performs as well as it looks; in which intelligence, temperament, and working ability was as important as conformation to the breed standard. This idea of promoting a Total Dog was very popular with owners and breeders of working dogs.  Today, the UKC is the second largest registry in the world. 

While Bennett conceived the Total Dog philosophy, his belief in the importance of a Total Dog was not unique. The Jack Russell was developed in England in the years immediately preceding the foundation of the UKC in the US.  The Jack Russell was formed from various English hunting terriers with the goal of producing a small, well rounded, hardy, versatile working dog.  Jacks were seen in various sizes and shapes depending on the intended purpose.  Terriers required to run with horses were taller and leaner.  Others were small and low to the ground to fit in saddle bags and squeeze into small spaces. Jack Russells were originally intended to chase and flush prey- not kill.  Some terriermen preferred a fell terrier influence which resulted in a 'hotter' terrier that is capable of killing.  Working ability, temperament, suitability to rugged terrain, stamina, and willingness to work were all considered when developing the Jack Russell.  Looks were not given as much thought as functionality. 

To demonstrate this point, consider that the Parson John (Jack) Russell, who is given credit for developing the Jack Russell Terrier, was also a founding member of the Kennel Club UK in 1873.  He died in 1883 without ever registering or showing one of his 'Jack Russells' in a conformation show.  In fact, he described his terriers: 'True terriers [my dogs] were, but differing from the present show dogs as the wild eglantine differs from a garden rose.'

In the Parson's lifetime, his strain of terriers was not called Jack Russells.  The term was only used after his death to differentiate the small white working terriers from the large, non working show type fox terriers popular at the dog shows of England.  This description was adequate until the 1990's when the large all-breed registries turned their eye on the increasingly popular Jack Russell Terrier. 

With kennel club registration came more narrowly defined breed standards and much confusion over what a Jack Russell Terrier really is.  Two original Jack Russell registries, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) and the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain (JRTCGB), focus on hunting ability and recognized a wide range of Jack Russell Terriers from 10 to 15 inches tall with a length of leg proportionate to height. The Kennel Club UK and the American Kennel Club took the taller, squarer 'Jack Russells' and recognized them as the Parson Russell Terrier. The ANKC and FCI, recognized the 10 to 12 inch FCI Jack Russell Terrier. 

Interestingly enough, if you read literature written prior to the early 1990's, the Jack Russell is described as a friendly, loyal, household companion.  In her book The Jack Russell Terrier written in 1990, Anna Katherine Nicholas describes the JRT as follows: 

Game and hardy as they are, they also possess a keen appreciation of comfort; they bask in being permitted to share the household with their people and even with several other dogs (not just of their own breed), plus a cat or two.

The keen intelligence of Jack Russells always makes them interesting to have around. Their delightful ways with people, their affection for their owner (and their eagerness for making this clear), and their obvious comfort in sharing your chair, sofa, or bed, or curling up in your lap as you read or watch television, make them ideal, no matter what your lifestyle.

More recently, the Jack Russell Terrier has earned a less admirable reputation.  To many people, the name Jack Russell Terrier is synonymous with an aggressive, hard to handle, out of control nightmare.  Why the change in attitude?

A simple Internet search will undoubtedly uncover many opinions that recognition with some kennel clubs is bad for working breeds.  Too much emphasis is placed on conformation and important breed characteristics are lost.  Temperaments and ability to serve an intended purpose are not judged in a show ring.  With recognition of a breed, also comes increased exposure resulting in increased popularity.  Quick buck artists flood the market with poorly bred and genetically unsound specimens.  The result is that a breed's reputation is tarnished. Could the Jack Russell already be a victim?  In addition, could too much infusion of fell type terriers be damaging the temperament of the Jack Russell? The evidence overwhelmingly points to yes.

So, does the old Jack Russell that Nicholas described above still exist?   The National  Russell Terrier Foundation Club's main goal is to ensure that it does.  Taking some of the oldest documented short Jack Russell bloodlines, the NRTFC and the American Rare Breed Association has kept a pure registry of 10 to 12 inch dogs that not only maintain the antiquated features of the old English Jack Russell, but that also display the favorable characteristics the breed was originally known for.  Small portable size, calm manageable temperaments, vigorous health, working ability, loyalty, and an affectionate nature are considered as important as good conformation for NRTFC affiliated breeders. 

The UKC's Total Dog philosophy compliments the NRTFC's goals for the breed.  The UKC recognized the English Jack Russell in 2001 as the Russell Terrier. The American Rare Breed Association recognized the Russell Terrier breed in 2003. The first Russell achieved a Total Dog award in 2005. In the beginning, the UKC supported the NRTFC in its intentions to preserve the old English Jack Russell.  It is the NRTFC and The American Rare Breed Association intent to be sure that the dogs registered as Russell Terriers are in fact the type of English Jack Russell Terrier as originally presented, and registered, and that the stud books remain accurate, for present and future generations. The NRTFC and ARBA does not register litters from cross-bred dogs.

In 2005, the AKC took many of our foundation sires and dams into their Foundation Stock Service for the AKC Russell Terrier.   The Parson / Fell Terrier influence is obvious in the pedigrees, temperaments, and in the looks of many FCI Russell Terriers.  Whether this will damage the future of the old English Jack Russell in the US remains to be seen.  

If you are interested in preserving the old English Jack Russell, please join and support the NRTFC and ARBA. New breeders and pet owners are encouraged to do their research and carefully decide what their goals are.  If you want the old style English Jack Russell Terrier, you should contact the NRTFC for complete breeders list for registered puppies from NRTFC affiliated breeders.

To date:

2011 AKC will no longer accept pedigree's from UKC for the "Russell Terrier"