DBF Russell Terriers

Dog Branch Farm: Home of the Small Jacks!

Candace Lundin, DVM, MS

 


 Terrier Jack Russell

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Information

"Come here little fishy fishy..."

Dog Branch Farm in Round Hill, Virginia is home to a small “family” of the real short-legged Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs), also called “Puddins” or “Shorties”. All are registered with the English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance (EJRTCA) as "Jack Russell Terriers", and the Foundation Stock Service of the American Kennel Club (AKC-FSS) as "Russell Terriers".

The Parson Russell Terrier(DBF does not breed the long-legged variety)

My little dogs (8”- 10” tall) have the intelligence, loyalty, love, and humor of the Russell Terriers, but they are being bred to be companions rather than working hunt or performance or show terriers. I focus on temperament as the primary consideration, and prefer the the shorty jacks with a little more bone and muscling than what the FCI describes as ideal for show. The long-legged variety of Jack Russell Terriers are referred to as Parson Russell Terriers by the AKC. We do not breed the Parsons.

 

Josie and Lola

Dr. Candace Lundin, veterinarian, and her husband, Frank Zureick, owners of Dog Branch Farm, always swore to themselves that they would never own a Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) because the terriers that they had come across had strong alpha personalities and a reputation for stubbornness and aggressiveness toward other dogs, cats, and some people. Some demonstrated the irritating habits of incessant barking and jumping---the canine version of “hyperactivity disorder”!

 

BUT, Candace and Frank changed their minds when they learned that some small breeders had been successfully directing their efforts at producing JRTs with calm, sensible temperaments---small dogs that would serve as companions and nice family pets. Thus, DBF Russell Terriers was born.

 

A young Josie snuggles in the down comforter

We are not a kennel, and breeding dogs is not our “business”. Our dogs live in our home, sit on our sofa, and sleep in our bed. They go to the beach on vacation with us and attend pony shows and steeplechase races. Our “real” business is the breeding and training of Thoroughbred horses (see www.dogbranchfarm.com). The JRTs are just part of our family  —along with an Italian Greyhound, 5 cats, 3 ponies, and lots of koi (pond fish).

 

 

 

Our Italian Greyhound, Mia, at 9 mos

Young Japanese koi in our water garden

 

 

Lola’s sandcastle on the Outer Banks

of North Carolina

We have only a few litters of JRT pups per year. Our goal is to improve the reputation of the Jack Russell Terrier by producing healthy, jolly little dogs that are easily socialized and that will respect and love their owners AND their owners’ friends and family! We are not the breeder for you if you are looking for the “tough” little dog that stands its ground against anything and everything, or even if you are looking for a working hunt terrier or even a show dog. Terriers can be known for their tenaciousness, but we are breeding for family pets. All terriers, not just Jack Russells, can be a bit feisty and competitive at times---that is part of what makes them terriers, but we do not want to strongly emphasize those traits in our breeding for pets.

 

"Come down and play with us"

We are striving to breed terriers without the uncontrollable urge to chase cats. We don’t want terriers that will take off across our farm to blindly chase anything that moves, such as a squirrel or fox. We don’t want terriers that “lose their minds” when the local hunt (Piedmont Hunt) comes through our property with their hounds chasing a fox. Instead, our little Jacks hunt crickets and field mice—WITH the cats! It's quite amazing to see 2 cats and 2 dogs all stalking one poor little field mouse together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"What's down there?"

We want good-natured, playful, charming, and intelligent little dogs that become part of our family and yours. Though a lot of this “good” behavior comes from proper socialization as puppies and as young dogs, it is also in the breeding. Bloodlines can play a role in the tendency of a dog to be aggressive toward other animals (and children!). This is why a docile temperament will be our NUMBER ONE priority in considering whether to breed a dog or not.  

Josie loves to run and roll down the hill with her toys

 

Some “traditional” Jack lovers will disagree with this attempt to discourage the hunting/chasing/fighting instincts of the Jack Russell Terrier. Let me say that we have no issue with those who want to breed hunt/performance terriers or those who want to compete in field events that demonstrate the original natural instincts of the hunt terriers. We admire and appreciate the abilities of those dogs. But, there is a place both for working hunt terriers and for “family pet” terriers. Dog Branch Farm is focusing on the latter.

 

We take the placement of our puppies seriously. We want you and the puppy to be happy---for a long time. We want to match the right puppy to the “right family”. Many people do not realize that the personalities of puppies begin to show at just a few weeks of age. Thus, we get to know which ones are more shy, which ones are the first to try new things, which ones have the most patience, which ones tend to dominate their littermates, and which ones are the most active. So, even though you may have your heart set on a puppy with a particular color or markings, the specific pup that you inquire about may not be the one most suitable for your particular home/family.

 

Chondrodysplastic forelimbs—a sign of dwarfism

Conformation IS taken into consideration in our breeding program, especially in terms of a desire to avoid dwarfism characteristics, such as chondrodysplasia, resulting in excessively curved limbs. We also want skull size and chest width to be in proportion with the dog’s size---in other words, we don’t want our “shorty Jacks” to simply be “big-bodied dogs with cut-off limbs”.  However, we are not breeding for show. Our dogs are smaller than the FCI show standard. I just happen to prefer small terriers. You may want something different.

 

 

 

Jack Russells, Parson Russells, Russell Terriers, Shorty Jacks, Puddins...

JRTCA, AKC, AKC-FSS, ARTC, EJRTCA, NKC, UKC, CKC, FCI...

Confused by these various "breeds" and clubs? You can read numerous books and search the web until your heart is content and you will still be confused! The history of the "Jack Russell Terrier" is marred in confusion, misinformation, politics, gossip, and the unknown. The bottom line is that these dogs never were a "breed" per se, but rather a terrier type. That is why they can vary so much in size and look. Note the variety of "jacks" in this old print--smooth coats, a rough coat, a black and tan and a red (Hunt terriers), a prick-eared terrier...

 

As clubs try to claim their stake in this arena, things are written and said in a dogmatic (no pun intended) fashion, with no true legitimacy. Some write that the "Shorty Jack" is an American invention---if so, then Congratulations to the good ole USA!  However, I highly suspect this is untrue since Prince Charles (see Celebrity Jacks below) would be kicked out of the United Kingdom if he favored (and imported) "American" terriers! As a veterinarian and scientific medical editor, I read everything on the web with a big grain of salt---I hope you will too!

 

Most people who find this web site are looking for a pet and life-long companion. That is my goal in breeding these wonderful little dogs. I happen to like them on the small and (sometimes) stockier side. My dogs most closely fit the standard described by the EJRTCA.

 

For more information on the conformation standards that Dog Branch Farm strives to meet, please see the Standard from the English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance (EJRTCA) listed below. This is the standard that DBF Russell Terriers chooses to follow.

 

 

 

EJRTCA Conformation Standard

Height

The height of the terrier shall be between 8 and 12 inches as measured at the withers with the dog standing fully erect, with 10 to 12 being ideal.

Body

Sturdy, balanced terrier. Body length slightly longer than length of leg. Length should not exceed function. Straight back with high tail set carried erect. Chest should be spanned by two hands behind the shoulder blades. The rear should be well put together with strong muscle and good angulation. Well laid back shoulder.

Neck

Well laid into shoulder.

Head

Strong boned with powerful jaws and strong cheek muscles. Dark almond-shaped eyes, pigmented eye rims, dark black pigment on nose. Small, v-shaped ears carried close to the head. Prick, semi-prick and rose ears are acceptable.

Teeth

The points of the upper incisors slightly overlapping the lower.

Legs

Straight as is consistent with the short legs for which we aim.

Feet

“Hound-Like, “Fox-Like” and “Hare-Like” are all acceptable. All three are considered sound working feet for a Jack Russell.

Gait

Free, lively, well-coordinated.

Coat

Smooth, rough or broken without coat being wooly. Smooth should not be sparse. Belly and underside coated.

Color

Predominantly white with tan, black or brown markings. Ticked or mottled acceptable. Brindle not acceptable.

Faults

Nervousness, cowardice, over-aggressiveness, weak bite, unsound movement, minor physical deformities.

Disqualifications

Extreme viciousness, shyness or major physical deformities (these are considered such serious traits that dogs having them are not to be used for breeding.) Undershot or overshot bites, rye mouth.

 

 

DBF Luke Skywalker, one of Josie’s pups

 

One of Josie's pups, a female

Testimonials

        "...when we visited your place, I couldn't believe how low key your dogs were. I can't begin to tell you how happy we are with Rocket. I'm really glad we got him from you. I knew from the beginning that I wanted one of your puppies!"  Rodgers Family

"'Chance' is a totally awesome dog." Gibson Family

"She is a lovely, intelligent dog...star of her obediance class.: Yablonski Family

"I am so impressed with [Lola’s] ability to learn new commands and within such a short time.  My wife was the one member of the family that really was skeptical about getting a dog – at this point I can’t separate the two! She is a loving member of the family who is always cheerful and ready to pour out her heart when I come home from work. Bringing Lola into our life has brought the Craven family together in such a special way – we love and adore our DBFJRT." Craven Family

"She is the star of the class!  The youngest one there.  The instructors just love her!  She is so smart it is scary.  She knows her name, can sit, down, and touch her nose to hand on command.  We are working on the recall.  We are having a great time with her.  Of course my Norwich is not amused with her.  She gets in his face, which he hates, and chases him all over the place.  Poor guy, hopefully it will get better as she gets older, but she will rule the roost for sure!  She is becoming the quite the little socialite!  She has been into my husband's office for a visit, and into some of my friend's offices.  We have also visited some friends homes too.  The vet's office loved her!  The farmer's market is next on the list. She has been very good at night and sleeps in her crate next to the bed.  But she is up at 6 am!  And ready to play.  We can't imagine life without her." Lisette & Paul  

"I just wanted to update you on Shor Tee (aka Mary). She loves EVERYONE! And everyone that sees her is instantly smitten! She walks on a leash, knows how to bring toys back when thrown, kinda sits when asked, loves playing in the water bowl, and eats up a storm! She is trying to get Poquito (chihuahua) to love her and is even working on our 17 year old cat. Most of all, I want you to know that she is so loved! George thanks me just about every day for "his puppy". He can hardly wait for her to be able go to the beach!
Thank you again for working with me and being so patient!" Terri & George

 "Rudy came into our lives on May 6th and nothing has been the same.  He is the most wonderful dog we could possibly hope for.  Candace  kept me informed thru Lola's entire pregnancy and even sent pictures of Lola right before she gave birth.  Once the puppy was born, we saw him develop until we were finally able to get to Virginia to see him in person.  Dog Branch Farm is the perfect place to buy a puppy.  The farm is immaculate  all the dogs are so well behaved and Candace makes a point of helping you decide which is the best puppy for you.  It is evident that Candace puts a lot of consideration into her breeding program and the health and well being of puppies and adult dogs alike.  She goes above and beyond to make sure the puppies are the best jack russells  possible with dispositions that can't be beat.  Thank you again Candace for bringing Rudy into our lives." Arlene & John

"I wanted to update you on Shortee...we have decided to go ahead and spay her. It was a very tough decision! BUT....we have had soooo many people fall in love with our little lady!!! We will send the serious inquiries to you! We absolutely LOVE her and she truly is the BEST puppy that we have EVER had! We just know that this is best for her, and us. I am sending some of the latest pictures. She continues to amaze us with her personality! What a DOLL!!! She is loved beyond measure.  Have a wonderful holiday season! " Terri

"It was a pleasure meeting you and Frank, just a brief note, Maggie is doing great. we took a chance the night we brought her home and put her in bed, she wrapped herself around Donna's neck and went to sleep, slept till 6.00 am with no accidents, she has been in bed ever since. She and harley are great together, they play all the time, she is starting to ring the bell at the door when she needs to go out, she does real well for 8 weeks old but we also watch her all the time. she is very smart as you said but she is very loveable, we will send pictures and again thanks for the loving addition." Brubaker family

"What an awesome puppy I have!  Roxie is so smart, sweet, cuddly and ALL JACK!!!!  She is trained to her safe room and working on the crate.  She is so grown-up already. I am thrilled with her and I am getting used to having a puppy instead of a saged old girl.  I have to admit that the first week was almost too much for me.  Less than a week after losing Winkie was just a bit too soon for a puppy, but because of the magic of Roxie (and her fine breeding) she let me know that we would get through the week and all would be well.  She was right and I wouldn't take million for her!  I look forward to many years of good times with the Rox!  She soothes my aching heart and makes me laugh everyday. Thank you for your devotion to these most wonderful of dogs...The Shorty Jacks!!!!!" Twila

  

 


Links

English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance (EJRTCA)
American Hunt Terrier Club Association (AHTCA)
 
 

 

  Virginia Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breeders

 

Celebrities and their Shorty Jacks

   
Paul McCartney                  Prince Charles                    Camilla (Dutchess of Cornwall)

  
Prince Charles

 

Jacks in Art

 

 

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Candace Lundin, DVM, MS

20560 Furr Road, Round Hill, Virginia 20141

Phone/Fax: 540-554-4525

Candace@DBFRussellTerriers.com

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