Jack Russell Terriers are active and energetic dogs that love active games.
This is one of the healthiest breeds - they rarely get sick and until old age they remain as vigorous and active as in their youth.
But time takes its toll and so, the owner of an elderly Jack Russell notices changes in the behavior and character of his pet and increasingly begins to think about the inevitable separation from him.
So how many years do Jack Russell Terriers live and is it possible to extend the life of an older dog?
Average term
An animal's longevity depends on genes, but heredity is important.
It is recommended to purchase a puppy with a good pedigree. Terriers easily get along in a private house and in an apartment. It is important to monitor the air temperature in the room and prevent your pet from overheating or hypothermia. The optimal indicator is 22-24 C. You need to arrange a place for the dog. For a domestic dog, purchase bedding and 2 bowls. Street animals live in an insulated enclosure. The Jack Russell Terrier is not chained.
You can increase your dog's lifespan by other methods:
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- Long walks;
- Balanced diet;
- Proper care;
- Strict training.
The terrier needs to spend at least 2 hours a day outside. During walks you need to play with the animal and train it. For training you will need a harness or leashes of different lengths. From 3 months, you need to learn new commands and tricks with your pet every day. Terriers require constant mental and physical exercise to maintain health.
Prepared premium food is suitable for nutrition, although the owner can create the diet himself. It is useful to give your dog raw meat, offal, boiled sea fish without bones, cereals, fresh vegetables, herbs, apples and pears, and dairy products. It is prohibited to include white bread, chicken bones, fatty pork, pickles, smoked meats, fried foods, flour sweets, and spices in the menu. The normal weight of an adult dog is 6.5-8.2 kg.
Every week, the owner must comb out his pet’s fur, but he can be bathed no more than once a month. Use wet wipes and cotton pads to clean ears, eyes and nose, regularly trim claws, and brush teeth.
Diet
As soon as you take the little one into your home, offer him the same thing that he ate before. If this is a club representative, then most likely he is accustomed to dry food from a trusted manufacturer. But it happens that the breeders put natural food in his bowl, then you will have to sweat. 75% of the menu is protein - dairy products and meat. The remaining 25% must be filled with cereals, vegetables and even fruits.
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Do not give your baby a lot of food, otherwise he will become overgrown and have many health problems. Even if he asks, be able to refuse. Before he turns one year old, you need to offer him an amount of food equal to 10% of his weight.
Infants up to four months old need to be treated six times a day, and each time is different. For example, this is porridge with milk, beef with millet, cottage cheese, cucumber and tomato salad, apple, soup or omelette. It is necessary to give all this every day - the dog needs raw meat, vegetables and milk. Twice a week treat him with boiled yolk, fish and boiled giblets. If he is less than three months old, such food should be given once every seven days.
At first, dishes must be liquid, and with age they must harden, so that five moons after birth the pet eats solid food. His molars will begin to develop, and this will prove beneficial. When he is six months old, he needs to eat three times a day, and after another ninety days - twice.
Adult dogs need three to five percent of their weight in food if they live at home, and more if they live outdoors. You can feed him 50x50 meat and plant products, adding milk and low-fat sour cream.
Sex difference
According to the observations of dog breeders, male terriers live longer than females. Representatives of the breed are prone to diseases of the reproductive system. Their body wears out with each pregnancy and childbirth.
On average, girls live up to 13 years, boys - up to 16. The Jack Russell Terrier is a hardy breed. But there are 3 types of diseases to which it is susceptible:
- Ocular.
- Articular.
- Infectious.
As terriers age, they develop cataracts or glaucoma. Pain in the kneecaps and arthritis appear. Males are more often affected by these diseases. Bitches suffer from infections and parasites, so you need to regularly visit the veterinarian, get the necessary vaccinations and give anti-worm medications.
Castration and sterilization
Females live several years less than males. As they age, they experience problems with the reproductive system. It is better to sterilize the girl to extend her life. The operation must be carried out up to a year, but before the procedure the dog must undergo a full examination by a veterinarian.
Males develop diseases of the genitourinary system. But castration won't help. It only affects the character and behavior of the terrier. A castrated boy will behave calmly, even if he meets a bitch ready for mating.
Character
These creatures were originally bred to hunt foxes and rats. The qualities characteristic of a hunter were carefully nurtured and developed in them, but there were no exhibition specimens. But then everything changed - the furry comrades had a cheerful disposition, and people appreciated it. But this species came to Russia only in the nineties, and the National Club was organized in two thousand and three.
That is why their price is quite high. Although this does not prevent real fans from making a purchase, because the little animal is very cheerful, joyful and feels good in the apartment due to its miniature size.
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Russells love games, they will need a lot of toys, otherwise they will use any household items as them. Individuals are jumping, get ready for them to wake you up in the morning by jumping and licking. They have a restless character, they cannot live without communication and love to take long walks and run. They easily find a common language with children, entertain them and keep them company. But if the children are very young, your four-legged friend will need to be raised so that he does not become violent if he is hugged too tightly or his fur is pulled.
It is important that he does not wake the child during sleep, understanding that this should not be done. They are smart, they can be taught anything without even resorting to the services of a trainer. They love to go through obstacles, do tricks, and so on.
The influence of childbirth
Pregnancy wears out a bitch’s body; each birth takes about six months of a dog’s life. It is better to sterilize the girl before she is one year old. If the dog is to participate in an exhibition, then the procedure is carried out after it.
After surgery, the animal may become lazy. Spayed bitches often spend a lot of time lying down. Passivity should not be allowed; you need to stir up your pet, force him to walk and play with him.
If all conditions of care and education are met, the Jack Russell Terrier will live for at least 13 years. The record figure is 22 years, which is how long the girl Daisy from the city of Tewkesbury in England lived.
Causes of premature death of a dog
Accidents, poisoning, and existing pathologies of internal organs lead to the sudden death of animals. Negative consequences are difficult to predict, however, it is preferable to know what potential dangers threaten your pet.
Common causes of premature canine death:
- poisoning;
- heart disease;
- pneumothorax;
- tracheal collapse;
- congenital abnormalities;
- expansion, volvulus of the stomach;
- ulcer;
- splenic tumor rupture;
- foreign body entering the throat;
- heatstroke;
- injury.
Dogs often suffer from poisons intended for rodents, poisons distributed to exterminate stray dogs. During a walk, be sure to keep an eye on your pet; if the dog does not respond to the command “ugh,” put on a closed muzzle so that the dog does not try questionable “food.”
Heart diseases can manifest asymptomatically, but if a young dog gets tired quickly, is weak, or is breathing heavily, you need to visit a veterinarian for a diagnostic examination.
Air accumulation in the peripulmonary space (pneumothorax) occurs due to injuries to the sternum leading to damage to the emphysematous bladder or existing tumor on the lung.
Tracheal collapse is more common in small breeds, is expressed by a sharp cough after active mobility or the manifestation of strong emotions, and sometimes occurs as a complication of past infections.
A congenital pathology that leads to tragic consequences is the displacement of the cervical vertebrae as a result of insufficient development or defect of the ligaments. An accidental jolt to the problem area can cause pressure on the spinal cord and be fatal.
Gastric dilatation and volvulus are more common in older dogs; both pathologies interfere with the normal blood supply to other organs and are considered deadly. Prevention of stomach problems is considered to be proper nutrition, adherence to a feeding regime and moderate exercise.
The premature death of the animal is caused by complications of peptic ulcer disease, expressed in the formation of a through hole in the wall of the stomach or bleeding. A precaution is the proper nutrition of your pet.
New growths on the spleen (benign and malignant) are susceptible to rupture, which can lead to fatal loss of blood. Tumor rupture is possible even with minor damage caused by difficult bowel movements or increased physical activity.
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Swallowing a foreign object risks suffocation or injury to internal organs as the swallowed object moves inside.
Heatstroke is caused by severe overheating of the body and often occurs in dogs locked in a car in hot weather.
A dog can be injured on the street (being hit by a car, fighting with other dogs, etc.), at home (falling from a height, electric shock, etc.), the danger of injury depends on the degree of its severity and the provision of first aid.
Caring for an older dog
At home, an elderly pet should be provided with:
- balanced food, following the feeding regimen;
- monitoring the animal’s body weight and well-being;
- maintaining hygiene (grooming, cleaning the mouth, eyes, ears, trimming nails);
- prevention against parasites;
- moderate physical activity.
Regular preventive examinations of the dog at the veterinarian will help identify diseases and age-related changes in the body, promptly take appropriate measures to treat emerging diseases and alleviate the pet’s condition.
Factors influencing the lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers
The life expectancy of dogs is influenced by factors:
- Physical development;
- Does the animal perform loads appropriate for its age and breed;
- Complete rest;
- A balanced diet enriched with nutrients;
- Sufficient communication and attention.
All these quality indicators of life depend 100% on the owner. The way he takes care of his pet shapes the animal’s resistance to stress and various diseases.
A balanced diet from birth lays the foundation for the pet’s physical health for the rest of its life and even into old age. An older dog should be fed soft food to avoid problems with teeth and swallowing.
In old age, animals can suffer from various diseases, most often deteriorating hearing, vision, and disruptions in the urinary system.
Another problem that can significantly reduce the age of any animal is excess weight. Its excess has a bad effect on the pet’s health, affecting the cardiovascular system and bone structure. It is necessary to control the weight of the animal, especially in old age.
Regular medical examinations, vaccinations, timely contacting a veterinary clinic in case of problems - this is what will keep your pet in the right shape. Constantly caring for your pet throughout its life can significantly increase its cycle.
How to extend the life of a pet?
Proper care of your pet should begin from the first day it arrives in the house. After all, it is during puppyhood that the foundation of health is laid, and illnesses suffered by a Jack Russell puppy can significantly affect the quality and duration of his life in the future.
It is very important to raise and train your dog correctly - this will help reduce the risk of accidents. For example, the dog must understand that it is forbidden to run after cars and bicycles. And for those who like to pick up all sorts of nasty things from the ground, you should purchase a special muzzle.
Elderly Jack Russells need special care - even if an aged dog is completely healthy, he still needs special care, as well as an additional portion of affection and attention.
IMPORTANT!
It is better to buy a puppy from a kennel known for its longevity. But lines whose representatives do not live long should be avoided.
How long do purebred animals live?
According to veterinary experts, there is a clear relationship between the breed and the years measured to the animal. It has been scientifically proven that the smaller the dog, the longer its life.
The vitality of representatives of different breeds varies. This is due to human breeding activities. When developing standards, dogs develop and reinforce features that are often unnatural.
Breeding a breed is fraught with complications, which are expressed in hereditary diseases:
- Chihuahua. These cute little creatures are genetically prone to medial dislocations of the kneecaps, elbow joints, and various dysplasias.
- Dachshund. Natural hunters, with a funny long body on short legs, pay with health for such a body structure. Hereditary pathology in dachshunds is intervertebral disc disease.
- Shar-Pei. Not only in this breed of dog, but in all pets with skin folds, the disease entropion, which is essentially an entropion of the eyelid, is common.
- Rottweilers. Strong, brave, fearless, smart. But they are also susceptible to hereditary diseases - aortic stenosis, Rottweiler leukoencephalopathy, follicular lipidosis.
- Pikines. This ancient breed is distinguished by a special eye structure, for which it suffers from a tendency to eversion of the eyelids, cataracts, and corneal ulcers.
Each breed has its own Achilles heel - dogs with flat faces have problems with the respiratory system, with skin without fur - they suffer from allergies, large pets are often diagnosed with diseases of the joints and bones.
Breeders allow for different situations that affect the life expectancy of dogs:
- Inbreeding;
- Exclusion of the factor of natural selection;
- The appearance of the offspring becomes a priority, not health;
- The lifespan of the progenitors of the offspring is not taken into account.
Dogs of breeds that are less susceptible to selection changes, of medium size, without any special appearance, live the longest. These are terriers, shepherds, huskies.
The presence of long-livers in the family is of great importance. If the pet's parents lived to a ripe old age, then it has every chance of a long life. If we talk about numbers, on average, dogs live about 12 years.
Interesting Facts
An actor of this breed starred in the famous film “The Mask” with Jim Carrey. There he showed remarkable dexterity, intelligence and devotion, for which he fell in love with all spectators.
Now many people dream of having the same friend. Prince Charles, King Edward the Seventh, as well as Audrey Hepburn and Michael Douglas had a similar handsome man.
Interestingly, the genes do not go to sleep in these excellent hunters, and they constantly catch someone. But the Vampire, who lived in 1977, surpassed everyone - he managed to destroy about a ton of rats in Great Britain.
