Barron's Jack Russell Terriers by D. Caroline Coile Ph.D.

Jack Russell Terriers
A Complete Owner's Manual
by D. Caroline Coile Ph.D.

About the Author

D. CAROLINE COILE is an award winning author. She wrote Barron's well known Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds and she has earned numerous awards, including the Dog Writer's Association of America Maxwell Award (8 times). She earned her Doctorate from Florida State where she studied canine senses, genetics and behavior. She has a website here.

• Paperback: 111 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 2 edition (May 15, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0764110489
  -- see sample pages
  

My Take

I like this book. It's informative and the material is delivered with gentle humor, and... unlike the Pavia book, you get a more cheerful perspective on Jack Russells. Doc Caroline even addresses the benefits of having two Jacks! although she does draw the line on having 3 or more as they tend to gang up on the odd dog out.

Here is the Table of Contents so you can get an idea of what's covered. To see an expanded list with sub-headings click here.

Table Of Contents

The Wild Hunt
Body and Soul
For the Best
Life with a Jack Russell Terrier
Mind Games
Health Food
Keeping Up Appearances
Jack Russell Terrier Maintenance and Repair
Jack of all Trades

Information
Index

Click here to see a sample text page

Click here to see that expanded Table of Contents page

As you can see this book covers much of the basics that a dog owner would want to know. It gives a little history, information about temperament and how to choose a pup, as well as health and maintenance information. Where it differs from other books is in the degree of detail the author goes into regarding 'conformation' or what the clubs consider to be the ideal Jack-and-Jackie Standards. Even the Broadstocks, who are JRT breeders, did not go into this much detail.

But if you are not interested in doggie ideals don't despair, this book is still one you might want to read. It has very good notes on what to expect when you to go to meet the breeder. And I especially liked the block of bullet points about "Breeder Danger Signals", and the fact that the author suggests older rescue dogs as an alternative to a puppy.

Another good section that I liked was that on puppy-proofing your home. This book discusses how to not only proof the inside of your house, but also your yard and garage. (I was dismayed that electronic fences don't always work for JRTs.)

I also found the supply lists useful. There was one for home and another for travel, which other books don't generally include. And she was right-on about how some Jacks can be sensitive to cold. The air was just beginning to crisp when we found out that Charlie needed a sweater to keep from shivering on that first venture out to relieve herself. (See Pup Fun for some pics of missy in her fancy garb.)

The other things you are going to want to know about, like potty training, jumping up, barking, digging, car chasing and other naughty JRT behaviors, are covered as well, though perhaps not in as much detail as would be needed to solve a serious problem. The material is covered more-or-less as you would expect in a basics book. The behaviors are described and more importantly why the behavior arises is clearly explained so that you won't come to think your dog is a Jack Russell Terror.

Deficits:::

• Only a brief history of the breed here.
  

• I think this book suffers a bit from being so short. For example, on Page 64 there's a discussion of a 'solid leash'. It's described but there is no picture and I, and perhaps some of you, are the sort of person that needs a picture to see precisely what an item is and how it is used.
  

• Not enough info on vaccinations.
  

Strengths:::

• Told with intelligence and humor.
  

• Great photos.
  

• Good explanation of the origins of the Shortie Jack and the long-legged Parsons.
  

• The best explanation of the conflict between the JRTCA and the EJRTCA and what that means for you, the Jack owner.
  

• Good, basic discussion of diet and maintenance. This is the only book that has advised me to consider doggie odor as a clue to a possible health problem. And the only book that lists what a normal temperature for a dog should be.
  

• Quality paper and nice appearance.
  

I enjoyed reading this book and would have no problem suggesting it to my friends as a good, readable resource.

Pam