Why Londoners Love Jack Russell's for the Long-Haul?

December 8, 2021

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With the hustle and bustle of London living leaving locals high-strung from the pressures of day-to-day life, what better way is there to alleviate your stress than to spend some much-needed downtime in the company of your most trusty four-legged friend?

With so many breeds to choose from, what would make for the most ideal dog to have as your faithful furry London companion?

You’d want to have a long-term companion by your side that at the same time doesn’t limit your already minimized living space, hence why Londoner’s love Jack Russell’s that live long and active lives.

Why Active Londoners See Long-Term Four-legged Friends in Jack Russell Terriers?

For dog owners navigating a frenzied London lifestyle, it’s essential to have an equally impressionable pooch to keep up the pace and this is what makes the highly-spirited pint-sized Jack Russell Terrier the quintessential dog for active Londoners to own.

Despite the various constraints that London’s fast-paced city life have posed against dog owners with respect to apartment-style living and spatial suitability/shortcomings, limited access to parks and recreational activities, as well as residential locations and distances to and from work, the universal love we have for our pets continues to live on in London residences spread across the big busy city.

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With its name owed to the English pastor and hunter John (Jack) Russell, who first bred the feisty four-legged fox-hunter in the 19th century, the Jack Russel Terrier is still a popular hunting dog in Britain today. Reaching a weight of 5 to 6 kilograms and a shoulder height of 25 to 30 centimetres, Russell Terriers are most commonly characterized as little balls of energy.

Few dogs can compete with the Russell Terrier’s speed and laser-sharp concentration, which is why it’s essential to keep them active and engaged. The agile athletic abilities of Russell Terriers make them one of the longest-living dog breeds perfect for making lasting memories. As such, nurturing them and their thirst for adventure requires dedicated owners to match their exuberant energy throughout their long lifespan.

How Long Do Jack Russell Terriers Live?

Depending on the breed, the average lifespan of dogs varies between 8-18 years and being among the dog breeds that have a fairly long lifespan, Russell Terriers can live until the age of roughly 13-16 years old if provided with adequate care, a healthy nutrition plan, and an active daily routine. Its miniature size also plays a crucial role, as smaller dog breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier usually have a longer lifespan than their larger counterparts.

As a London owner of a Russell Terrier, you can create the appropriate conditions in the active everyday life of your four-legged friend to ensure longevity in the long healthy lifespan of your canine companion.

You can make an important contribution to the long and healthy life of your Russell Terrier by ensuring the following:

They get enough exercise due to their active energetic nature.
Avoiding stress and overload. Even active dogs need time to rest and recover.
Ensuring a species-appropriate diet consisting of high quality dog food fed to your furry friend to prevent health problems.
Paying attention to the weight of your canine companion. An overweight Russell Terrier has fatal health consequences, which can significantly reduce its lifespan.
Regular visits to the local veterinarian, as early treatment for diseases is essential for preventing permanent damage.

Living With Russell Terriers in London

Although it can be argued that owning a Jack Russell Terrier best be avoided by people who jack-russells-londoner-pet-dog-with-long-life work long hours with little time to exercise or play with their pooch, it’s also noteworthy to account for shifts in the workforce climate brought about as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a surge in businesses adopting more hybrid and remote based work models, awarding dog owners more time to spend in the company of their precious pups in today’s isolating age of ‘at-home’ workspaces.

For Aspiring Jack Terrier Owners

According to new data from the Dogs’ Trust animal welfare charity, Russell Terriers are among one of the most popular dog breeds to be rescued and rehomed in the UK.

“At the Dogs’ Trust we see dogs of all shapes and sizes coming through the doors of our rehoming centres. In 2020, the most popular breed we rehomed was the Crossbreed, closely followed by the Jack Russell Terrier and the Lurcher.”

Just like anywhere else in the world, owning a dog in London can be a joyful experience with the strong likelihood of inviting overwhelming happiness and compassion into your home. Enveloped by a multitude of benefits including service dog suavities, emotional security, the endorsement of mental health treatment initiatives, and the crusade to combat loneliness and depression, having a cute canine companion could be the perfect component to the regaining of your sanity.

If you’re interested in welcoming a Jack Russell Terrier into your lovingly active family unit, here are a few resources to help you find your new fiery four-legged friend:

… And if you’re on the lookout for the top pet-friendly places to live in London for you and your canine companion, give these areas a look:

Hampstead
Greenwich
Battersea
Soho
Hackney

Play nice!

Author Profile

Zanda Simamane: South African wordsmith Zanda Simamane is an enthusiastic, cheerful, conscientious, and talkative individual who is likely to express my emotions, enjoy change and exhibit a lively attitude. In addition to being warm-hearted and outgoing, he is actively interested in others and tolerant of them. Throughout his career, Zanda's exceptional copywriting, editorial, and communication skills have proven valuable in his diverse fields of interest, some of which include Copywriting, PR & Marketing, Entertainment & Fashion Journalism, Social Media, Tech, and Influencer/Talent Management.