Before I bought my dog Max I did not know all the things that I would need for him. I thought he would be like my mom’s dog which is a Havanese and I thought that he would not need a whole lot, since he dog only need food a collar, and a fence to keep him happy. I did find first hand that Jack Russell’s need much more than that to keep them completely satisfied in the home. So instead of you having to learn the lesson that I had to learn, I will give you a list to what to get before you even bring a Jack Russell into your home.


Fence- This is a must and you also have to make sure that it is buried under the ground because Jack Russell’s are diggers and they will make their own way to get outside of the fence. Also make sure that the fence is at least 6’ high because not only are they diggers, but they are jumper and will try and jump as high as they can to get out the fence, do not let their short stature fool you.
Food & Water dish- Make sure that these dishes are heavy duty do not get anything that is made from cheap plastic they will tear these all to shreds.

Dog Collar & Leash- I found that the best collars are not the ones that are made from any form of fabric the best kind are made out of leather. This will allow you more time before the collar starts to unravel from all the tugging that this dog might do. I also found if you can afford a harness for the dog instead of using the collar when it is on its leash this will give you better control over the dog as well. The leash can be any kind of leash, but I do suggest that you do not get the retractable leashes until the dog has been trained and can walk with a loose leash.

Chew Toys- Chew toys are a must for these dogs, they will chew on everything and anything that they can get their mouths around. So it is best to give them something that is made out of harder plastics or even try and find plenty of ropes to keep them busy and stay away from the $.99 toys at Wal- Mart because those will be gone in one day. Also keep in mind when getting toys you want to make sure that you get a variety of toys because of these dogs being so intelligent they need constant stimulation and a variety, otherwise they might get bored and start looking for other things around the home to give them entertainment.

Dog Food- This is pretty much up to you if you want to go with wet or dry dog food, but I would suggest that you choose the dog food that is a little softer as these dogs tend to have a hard time chewing anything that is hard. Some people suggest that you opt for the healthier option which is all natural dog food and I pretty much think that it is up to the owner. All natural is better for your dog yes, but it can also be a lot pricier and the dog may not even like it.

Dog Training Classes- Be aware that you might not do this right away, but it is highly suggested that in the future before your puppy turns a year old that you get them into training classes. Jack Russell’s have a hard time socializing with other dogs and because of their strong will might try and run your household if you do not practice the proper techniques to get them to do what you want them to.

Dog Bed- This is a must because even though it might seem like you are pampering your pet, the more you let a jack sleep in your bed the less they will listen to you when you tell them that they are not allowed to. It is best in the begging to get them their own bed for them to sleep on, so that you never run into this problem.

Crate- This may seem like it is cruel to do to a dog, but for a Jack this is necessary, if you do not crate train these dogs they will turn your house upside down while you are gone. You need to teach them from the time that they come home, that the crate is not a place for punishment and that is a place just mainly for them to take a break in and come out when you come home. The crate should not be overly large because otherwise you might find your Jack defecating in his home, it is better to get it a little on the smaller side because they will not defecate where they sleep.

Having a Jack Russell is not cheap, but how can you put a price on a love that will last you a lifetime?