Jack Russell or Parson Russell?

I think I may have mentioned before that Jack Russell Terriers and Parson Russell Terriers are actually different from each other, but I guess I never told you how exactly this change happened. Well, when PRTs were first bred by a guy named Jack Russell, they were the long-legged version I told you about. Then, after the Reverend died, some people began crossing the Parson Russells with Welsh Corgis (at least, most people think so), and the Parson Russell-mixes suddenly had shorter legs and less-broadened chests, which is what Jack Russell Terriers are today. Still, most of the features of the PRT remain on the JRT, including having more than 50% white on their coat, v-shaped ears, and high-energy/stamina. Unfortunately, only Parson Russell Terriers are considered "show-dogs" out of the two; before anyone gets on my case for criticizing the Parson Russells, as a counter-attack...I own one. But I'm also not trying to say that Jacks are better than Parsons, or even German Shepherds, for all I care. A dog is a dog, and whatever those dog-show snobs think about it, I couldn't give a slice of toast about their opinion

Weird JRT News

Sometimes I wonder what goes through people's minds when they do these so-called crimes...In Willow, California, a Jack Russell Terrier was found to be vandalized--yes, vandalized--with a permanent marker. Among the things seen on the dog were a swastika, a tic-tac-toe board and lots of other markings that were apparently not present at birth. Whoever did this to the poor dog, please reflect on your little wrong-doing: Whatever "crime" you were trying to commit to impress your friends, family, or whatever really stinks. I mean, when you think of evil, it's usually not a vision of a dog being written on in Sharpie. Second, it's pretty lame that you did this only a few blocks away from the owner's house. Perhaps a little more logic? But please, don't take this away as a sign to commit another crime, because if you do, it's gonna end up being a cat that has stickers all over it or something, and you don't want to be laughed at again.

What do they do at dog trials?

A dog trial is supposed to "test" your dog's ability to function as it was bred to do, but seeing as most canines are used as companions rather than workers these days, that kind of thing is becoming obsolete. I don't really find it necessary to go to one of these, but it might be a good idea to go to one anyway. You never know if it might teach you a thing or two about the care and needs of your dog, or pick up people's opinions on how you're keeping up your pet. Example: "Boy, that dog is so fat! What'cha been feeding it, 'cause I think you eatin' the same thing!"