Breed guide
Jack Russell Terrier
Small body, giant engine. Fearless, tireless, opinionated. Not for couch potatoes. Surprisingly healthy breed.
AKC Rank
#75
Size
small (9-15 lbs)
Life Expectancy
12-14 yrs
Activity
very high
Feeding a Jack Russell Terrier
Small but extremely active terrier. ~500-700 kcal/day. Needs more calories per pound than most small breeds.
Key nutrients
- •high-quality protein
- •energy-dense formulas
Portion notes: Two meals daily; adjust for actual activity level (varies widely).
Fresh food picks for Jack Russell Terriers
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for small dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Jack Russell Terrier actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$2,215-$4,710
Ongoing years run $1,500-$3,050 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$900-$1,500
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$240-$360
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$600-$1,250
Grooming
low grooming needs
$0-$120
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$225-$750
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$180
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$560-$980/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for small dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Health concerns to watch
Enormous energy in a tiny package — needs 1-2 hours of intense exercise daily.
Strong prey drive — secure fencing, leash required.
Not a beginner dog despite small size.
Gear for Jack Russell Terriers
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Jack Russell Terriers
Harness
for Jack Russell Terriers
Bed
for Jack Russell Terriers
Collar
for Jack Russell Terriers
Leash
for Jack Russell Terriers
Slow feeder bowl
for Jack Russell Terriers
Chew toy
for Jack Russell Terriers
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Jack Russell Terriers
Matched to Jack Russell Terrier temperament (alert, fearless, energetic).
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Jack Russell Terriers
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Jack Russell Terrier questions, answered
How long do Jack Russell Terriers live?▾
How big do Jack Russell Terriers get?▾
How much exercise does a Jack Russell Terrier need?▾
What health problems do Jack Russell Terriers commonly have?▾
Are Jack Russell Terriers hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Jack Russell Terrier?▾
Are Jack Russell Terriers good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Jack Russell Terrier
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.