The Jack Russell is a small dog with a big personality and an interesting origin story.
The Brindle Jack Russell Terrier is known for its tiger-like or wavy unique fur patterns, energetic liveliness, and intelligent hunting instincts. When given the proper attention and exercise, they can make a great family pet and a cheerful companion.
What is a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier?
The main difference between a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier and a common Jack Russell Terrier is the color pattern on its coat.
The coat will have colors of:
- Black
- Tan
- Beige
- Brown in a wavy, tiger-like, pattern
The brindle coloring and pattern typically won’t be found on the entire body of a Jack Russell. Instead, it’s usually found in small sections on the face, back, legs, or belly. It shows up as a darker brown or black striping over the top of the base color.
Brindle coloring is a disqualification for show-quality Jack Russells according to the AKC Breed Standard, so this color coat is rare because breeders try to avoid it. However, it’s an adorable pattern and pet owners treasure this unique coloring.
History of the Brindle Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers were strictly bred for hunting and ratting. They have a keen sense of smell and love the exhilaration of hunting small prey.
Since the beginning of the 1800s, these dogs were bred in England and trained to flush foxes with their steady barking. Even their hair was bred so that hunters could easily spot them out in the field while hunting.
| Lifespan | 13 – 16 years |
| Weight | 6 – 8 kg (13- 17 lbs) |
| Size | 31- 38 cm (10-12 in) |
| Brindle Jack Russel Terrier is most suitable for | First-time dog owners, active families, including those who live in apartments or flats. |
| Temperament | Intelligent, Athletic, Energetic, Vocal, Stubborn, Clownish, Fearless. High prey drive. Moderately easy to train. |
| Health Concerns | Blindness, Ear Infections, Arthritis, General Oral Hygiene, Patellar Luxation |
| Colors | Black, White, Tan, Brown |
| Grooming | Easy to groom. Needs weekly brushing, and bathing every now and again. Infrequent trimming might be needed. |
Can a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier be a Family Dog?
Friendly, cheerful, and small, Jack Russell Terriers make great family pets.
Jack Russells are loving and affectionate and grow strong bonds with all of the family members over time. They’re also well-suited for small homes and apartments, provided they get enough exercise.
Jack Russel Terriers are extremely active as puppies and adults, making them excellent companions for playful children. The Jack Russel is up for games at any time, though they will act out if they don’t get enough attention and exercise. Make sure that you keep your available time and attention in mind when considering buying a Jack Russell Terrier.
Are Brindle Jack Russell Terriers Good with Children?
The Brindle Jack Russell Terrier is a great choice of dog for families with children. That said, this dog isn’t recommended for families with very young children unless they will be constantly monitored while together.
A Jack Russell puppy can be raised with children and will be a loyal and delightful companion for life. However, adopted Jack Russells may not like children, so introductions must be made before adoption to see if the dog is a good fit with children.
A child’s mannerisms are much different from that of an adult, and these sudden quirks can be potential overstimulation and possibly shocking to a dog that’s very energetic such as a terrier, who can be easily excited and extremely playful.
If you’re interested in adopting a Jack Russell Terrier and have children in your family, be sure to immerse the terrier pup with the children as early on as possible. This can help your pup and your child to grow confidence in each other and grow accustomed to one another.
Training Children and Jack Russell Terriers
Children and Jack Russell Terriers need the training to get along well together. While the Jack Russell isn’t the most easily-trained dog, they respond well to professional obedience training. Likewise, teach children to respect the space and exercise needs of the dog, and the two can get along together famously.
For information on dog obedience training and why you should consider obedience training for every dog, read our guide to obedience classes for dogs.
Are Brindle Jack Russell Terriers Good for First Time Owners?
Jack Russells make great pets for a variety of owners, including first-time dog owners. A bored Jack Russell is a destructive dog, so this is a great breed for those who are home all day and have the attention to give to the dog.
If you live in a large city, but wish to own a dog, then a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier is perfect for you. They’re small in size, and perfect for those who live in small apartment buildings or flats, assuming they get enough playtime outside every day.
They’re perfect for those who are active and can keep up with the Jack Russell’s boundless energy. It’s good to remember that they require lots of attention, so only look into adopting one if you feel you can give it the proper care and time it needs.
What Kind of Temperment does the Brindle Jack Russell Terrier Have?
Jack Russell Terriers are notorious for constant barking and being very active diggers, making them escape artists. Their tendency to chase rodents, birds, and other small animals gets them in big trouble. They are likely to escape from the yard and do so frequently if left unattended.
The Jack Russell Terrier is an incredibly intelligent dog breed. This helps when training, as they enjoy learning new tricks and new things to keep their minds constantly busy.
These attributes might sound annoying or naughty, but it simply is a Jack Russell being true to itself. The key to owning a Jack Russell Terrier is providing sufficient exercise and mental stimulation for their sharp and busy minds.
Are Brindle Jack Russell Terriers Easy to Train?
It will take some time and dedication on your part, but overall, Jack Russell terriers are easy to train. Successful training requires patience and consistency.
Never shy away from attending training classes. The cost might add to your expenses, but it can be well worth it.
Taking training classes together with a professional can help you gain more knowledge on the topic and help you and your dog strengthen your bond while doing a mentally stimulating activity.
How Much Exercise Does a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier Need?
Jack Russell Terriers need a minimum of 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise a day. Be aware that a Jack Russell can run all day long and keep going. These dogs have seemingly boundless energy, so more exercise is always better.
Favorite Jack Russell Terrier activities include:
- Walking
- Running
- Swimming
- Agility Training
- Hunting and Ratting
- Frisbee and Fetch
- Hide-and-Seek
- Tug-of-War
While they need a sufficient amount of physical exercise, they also need a good amount of mentally stimulating activities throughout the day. Mental stimulation helps reduce boredom frustration that can easily cause aggression and destructive behavior.
What Does it Cost to Buy a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier?
The price of a Jack Russell is determined based on if the pup is purebred or mixed, its bloodline, age, coat color, and markings. The cost for a puppy is also higher if it’s a show-quality or breed-quality dog. Pet-quality dogs go for less.
Because the brindle markings are disqualifications for show-quality Jack Russells, it may help to lower the cost of a puppy from a breeder who deals with only AKC-registered puppies.
BUYERS BEWARE: Some breeders will increase the price because the coat is “rare,” so be on the lookout and consider not settling for the first brindle Jack Russell you come across if the price seems suspicious.
According to the American Kennel Club, a Jack Russell Terrier pup is likely to cost between $500 and $1,500, making the average cost $1,000.
We recommend buying a puppy from an AKC registered breeder. This greatly decreases the odds of buying from an unethical breeder and guarantees you’re not buying from a puppy mill.
Adopt a Jack Russell Terrier
We love rescue pups and highly recommend searching for Jack Russell dogs that need a foster home or are up for adoption. This is a wonderful way to get a loyal and fun dog while saving some money and doing a world of good.
You can search for Jack Russells that need a home through breed-specific organizations like Russell Rescue, or view results by state through a network like Rescue Me.org.
Jack Russell Terrier Health Concerns
Jack Russell Terriers are susceptible to several major health concerns. It’s vital to keep up with regular veterinary health checkups to give your Jackie the best chance of living a long and healthy life.
A common issue for Jack Russells is blindness caused by Primary Lens Luxation (PLL). This eye lens condition can be treated if caught early by a vet. If left untreated it usually results in blindness.
They’re also susceptible to heart disease. This can also be caught early through regular veterinary care. We also believe that every Jack Russell does better with healthy, well-balanced food. A vet can make a specific recommendation for your dog.
They’re also likely to experience knee and hip injury and decay. This is partly due to their high energy levels and constant exercise. You can help protect your dog’s knees and hips by keeping him from jumping long distances regularly.
Do Brindle Jack Russell Terriers Like to be Held?
When Jack Russells are given the proper time, care, and affection they love to cuddle. They thrive when they’re given as much family time and attention as possible.
Although they love to cuddle, many Jack Russell Terriers are uncomfortable being held. They might yelp, squirm, or even nip out of frustration for not wanting to be held. They love to have attention on their own terms and aren’t happy being carried around against their will.
Sometimes, letting the dog come to you is the best way to show or receive affection from your pet, and this is the case with most Jack Russell Terriers. The more comfortable they become, the more they will enjoy approaching you for cuddle time.
Giving them the option to cuddle can help them enjoy safety and assurance. It may not be an all-day, everyday activity, but after a lot of playtime and exercise, your Jack Russell Terrier is more likely to enjoy affection and cuddle time.
What Kind of Coat Does a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier Have?
The Jack Russell Terrier has 3 main coat types:
- Broken, a combination of short and longer fur
- Smooth, short fur
- Rough, longer fur
This dog’s hair should be coarse or rough, even if it’s a smooth coat. This is important because it helps with protecting your terrier from harsh elements such as snow, and rain.
Keep in mind that all of these coats are prone to shedding, and need weekly maintenance and grooming. We like to do weekly brushing and use a rubber grooming mitt in-between to keep the loose hair gathered up.
You may notice that your Jack Russell Terrier has a pattern on its coat that isn’t a brindle marking.
The common patterns that you might notice are:
- Bi-color
- Tuxedo
- Black and Tan
Along with these common patterns, you can find a mixture of patterns and rare color markings that make your pet different and distinguishable from the others in its pack.
Jack Russell Terriers are mainly white with brown or tan markings on their heads, bodies, and legs. However, they can have the color pattern of brindle with colors such as black, brown, and tan more commonly on their heads.
Brindle is a more rare pattern for the Jack Russell Terrier breed, but it’s not impossible to find. Always stay on the lookout, and you’ll be sure to find one with gorgeous wavy markings.
For more information on brindle dogs of all breeds, be sure to check out our Best Brindle Dog Breeds guide!
Grooming Requirements for Jack Russell Terriers
Jack Russell Terriers shed and some times of the year they can shed quite a lot. The hair is quite wiry and is notorious for getting stuck in carpeting, furniture fabric, and clothing.
The best way to keep shedding to a minimum is to brush out the loose hairs as frequently as possible with a brush and grooming mitt. This is a wonderful time to bond with your dog and check ear health, look for ticks, and check the nail length.
When bathing your Jack Russell, make sure to use a soft shampoo, and thoroughly rinse its hair free of soap. Too much bathing can cause the skin to become irritated and may aggravate any allergies that might exist.
While your Jack Russell Terrier might run around an incredible amount, its nails will need to be maintained and trimmed. Use dog nail clippers to trim nails monthly.
Does a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier Need to be Trimmed?
Unsurprisingly, smooth-coated Jack Russells don’t need to be trimmed. The most you will ever need to do is a regular trimming of the long hair that grows on the face by using blunt scissors. You can also trim excess hair on their feet, toes, and tail by using thinning scissors.
Brindle Jack Russell Terrier Basics
Understanding the basics of your pet can help when deciding what is the best for you and your situation.
Consider the table below to see some of the general information you need to know about a Brindle Jack Russell Terrier before going through adoption:
Always take your time to research the new dog breed you’re interested in adopting into your home. Being absolutely sure that they’re a good fit for you will help you out in the long run.
We know that the Brindle Jack Russell Terrier is an intelligent, energetic, and fun little dog to have around the home. This dog will give you laughs, keep you moving, and enjoy playing to his heart’s content.
