Jack Russell Terriers 101

It all started when my husband Randy and I watched the movie, My Dog Skip. I fell in love at first sight with Skip, an adorable Jack Russell Terrier.

"He's the kind of dog I've always wanted," I confided to Randy. Growing up in a family with four other siblings, my parents decided pets were not an option. I've always felt slightly deprived.

To my surprise, Randy called the only breeder listed in our phone book. Yes, they did have one male puppy, a Jack Russell Terrier. Randy told her we would come to see him--but only to take a look. Becoming parents to a puppy was a major decision for us. We searched the Web for information about JRTs. The official Jack Russell Web site was less than encouraging.

These are high-strung, willful dogs with compulsive behavior, said the experts. They have a mind of their own. At times you'll laugh when you realize they've outwitted you one more time to get their way.

"I'm not so sure," I lamented. "Those dogs don't sound like Skip."

But reluctantly, and against our better judgment, we went to meet this JRT puppy. That was eight years ago, and because one Jack wasn't enough for us, we decided to double the excitement with JRT #2, Kosmo. Our lives have been turned upside down and our hearts inside out with love for these tenacious little dogs.

We christened our first pup, Kramer. He needed a Hollywood name to work with us at our video store in our small (pop. 350) rural town in North Central Washington. Kramer took his job seriously, and became a town icon. We tried not to let it get us down that everyone knew Kramer, but hardly noticed us. "Is Kramer in today?" our customers asked expectantly.

Kramer even has his own story in a book of dog stories, A Prince Among Dogs. Recently, a former customer (we sold our store in 2006), approached me at our local grocery store. He said his brother had called from Idaho and wanted to know if he knew Kramer. Our friend mentioned all the people he knows by that name.

"No," his brother said. "I meant the dog Kramer. My wife has this book with a story about a dog named Kramer who lives in your town. I figured you had to know him."

I couldn't stop smiling about that one. Only in a small town! But that's how Jack Russell Terriers are--small dogs with huge personalities. I hope you'll stay tuned for more of our JRT's adventures and Kramer's homespun wisdom. There's literally never a dull moment with them.

Kramer says: Forget the Groundhog... I'm ready for spring!