Originally just one breed, there are now two distinct breeds, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Parson Jack Russell, with the former slightly smaller in stature. Jack Russells are tough, sturdy little dogs and can have smooth, rough or broken (a mixture of the two) coats which are typically white with black/brown/tan markings. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the breed is that they always appear alert and ready for action. Out on walks, they will be constantly inquisitive, investigating their surroundings and potentially disappearing down rabbit holes and always ready to run and chase. They are confident little dogs, who love human contact, and will enjoy being at the centre of everything. As a busy dog, plenty of exercise is recommended, as well as lots of playtime to prevent them from getting bored. A bored Jack Russell gets up to mischief including digging, barking and escapology! Jack Russells can make good family pets if they have been well socialised from a young age, although may lack tolerance around younger or overly exuberant children. Again, with good early contact and experiences, they will be fine with other dogs too. Their high prey drive makes them generally unsuitable to be housed with cats or other small household pets. These are confident, energetic dogs, which makes them an excellent and fun addition to an active household.