Once introduced, they tend to warm up quickly. The Jack Russell will also tend to be wary of strangers, which makes them a good watchdog, but also makes socialization early and often even more important. They can be territorial and protective, so may not be a fan of other dogs they don’t know, especially if they are not well-socialized. Although they can sometimes do well with small animals within the family that they have been raised and socialized with, they are generally not a good fit for households with prey-type animals and will still retain that urge to chase animals outside of their family. Well-socialized, they get along well with children and other dogs within the family.Īs a terrier with a hunting background, Jack Russell Terriers do have a high prey drive and an urge to chase. In fact, they are one of the most affectionate dog breeds and thrive on being near their favorite humans. The Jack Russell Terrier is a loyal and affectionate companion.
