When bringing animals together it's important
not to leave them unattended for any length of time, especially if
there are more than two Jacks. Jacks have a pack hunting
mentality, a natural instinct from hundreds of years of breeding.
They will exhibit those traits. It's very unwise to leave two or
more jacks alone with a cat or another pet. A Jack that has
previously been non-aggressive towards cats and other animals may
take part in the killing of such an animal when in the pack
environment. There have even been cases where some Jacks have
ganged up on a weaker one in the pack and injured or even killed
it. A close eye on the dynamic of any pet gathering involving the
Jack Russell is advisable. Again, it is possible that this can
happen no matter how cute or well trained your dog is. It's in
their nature, the behavior is instinctual and no amount of
training will overpower the animal's instincts entirely.
First time owners will often find they are
overwhelmed and wonder why the dog's needs are so demanding. It's
best to know what you are getting into before hand and make sure
that your home has the time and environment to meet those needs
before bringing a Jack Russell home. Although the Jack Russell
owner always has to be alert of the potential dangers, many owners
will eventually come to think of their Jack as more of a person
than a dog. The unique and intelligent personalities exhibited
find many owners considering their Jacks to be like a child.
Owners will even find themselves worried about their Jack's mood
and happiness. This is because the Jack is prone to mood swings.
