The Jack Russell Terrier may be small in stature, nevertheless it is a working dog. It is wrong to assume that its size necessitates less exercise than that which is necessary for the larger breeds. In fact, this tenacious breed is even deemed suitable for police work.
Originally bred for hunting foxes, these small dogs are strong and well built. They must be allowed to vent their energy, either through work or exercise. They are also fierce and courageous animals that will stop at nothing to protect their loved ones. They have shown their loyalty and bravery in the line of duty time and again.
Various police forces sometimes use Jack Russell Terriers in their narcotics units to sniff out and detect illegal contraband.
Some trainers believe that Jack Russell Terriers provide all the right stuff to make them perfect as service, therapy, sniffing, search-and-rescue and even circus dogs. Working dogs in police duty service are still training and therefore not yet certified. Many once were family pets.
Max is one such dog, a Jack Russell Terrier being trained by the K-9 unit in tracking and trailing. He is training to search and rescue small children. Since he is so small, he can wedge himself into very small areas between rocks and crevices to find lost articles, or even important clues on the scene of a crime.
Working dogs are needed for all branches of the military. Little Juul is employed by the navy at Norfolk Naval Station for her acute sense of smell. The navy has specific requirements for dogs; they must get used to obstacles at sea, ladder wells, paint fumes, fuel and exhaust fumes, and even drug detection on ships and in ports of entry. Juul can get into tight corners under seats, and unlike larger dogs she can fit into submarines, helicopters and small planes.
She is akin to a secret weapon; she and her handler could walk through a park and people would assume she's his pet.
Terriers are used in police work in many different ways. For example civilian dogs do police dog work even when never trained to do so.
On April 29, 2007, little George, a Jack Russell Terrier from New Zealand, made the CNN and Associated Press headlines. Several print and broadcast media also carried the story of how he saved five children from being mauled by pit bulls.
One of the children reported, "George tried to protect us by growling and rushing them, but they went for him; we ran off crying, and some people saw what was happening and rescued George."
Unfortunately, George did not make it. Steven Hopkinson, the veterinarian who treated the Jack Russell Terrier's wounds said they were the most severe he had ever seen; putting him down was the only option.
George was awarded two posthumous medals for his bravery by the New Zealand Society For Animal Protection.
Since then, other dog owners have come forth and have stated how their Jack Russell was able to ward off menacing pit bulls.
Time and again, these little working dogs have shown their loyalty and bravery in the line of duty. Their usefulness in society has shown that the Jack Russell Terrier is much more than a pet.
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