The Jack Russell Terrier is named for the Reverend John Russell, a nineteenth-century hunting parson in Devon, England, who wanted fox-working terriers that could keep up with hounds and bolt foxes from their dens. Today's dogs are compact and mostly white, about 10 to 15 inches tall, with black or tan markings and smooth, broken or rough coats. The taller show type is registered in the US as the Parson Russell Terrier.
Many Jack Russells are bold, clever and funny, with a strong prey drive and a talent for digging and escaping. In Stroudsburg, where creeks, wooded trails and wildlife are close by, that drive means a leash outdoors and a secure yard. They suit active people who enjoy training and are rarely content as couch dogs. Dogs vary, so each Jack's own history matters more than the label.