How the King is leading a Jack Russell resurgence! Numbers of the breed – famously owned by Charles and Camilla – have increased by 40% leading up to the coronation
- King Charles and Camilla own two rescue Jack Russell Terriers; Beth and Bluebell
- The King also owned Tigga in the 1990s, who featured on royal celebration cards
- According to The Kennel Club, interest in the breed has spiked over the last year
Step aside Corgis, there’s a new pup putting its pawprint on the UK from the kennels of Buckingham Palace – the Jack Russell Terrier.
There has been a 40 per cent increase in the number of puppy registrations of the pint-sized breed over the past year, according to The Kennel Club.
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla are parents to two Jack Russell Terriers, Bluebell and Beth, who they rehomed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2017.
They are the latest canine residents of the palace since the monarch took the throne, and may have contributed to the breed’s resurgence ahead of the coronation.
Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, told MailOnline: ‘Breeds certainly wax and wane in popularity – and there are a number of factors that can play a part, such as popular culture and high-profile ownership.
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla are parents to two Jack Russell Terriers, Bluebell (left) and Beth (right), who they rehomed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2017
There has been a 40 per cent increase in the number of puppy registrations of the pint-sized breed over the past year, according to The Kennel Club
JACK RUSSELL TERRIERS
Name: Jack Russell Terrier
Average height: 10-15 inches (25-38 cm)
Average weight: 14-18 pounds (6-8 kg)
Life expectancy: 13-16 years
Colouring: White with black, brown, or tan markings
Bred for: Fox hunting in England in the early 1800s
Characteristics: Tenacious, intelligent, energetic, friendly, brave, strong prey drive
‘Of course we urge would-be owners to spend time researching which dog best suits their lifestyle, and making sure they can take care of their various needs, such as grooming and exercise, rather than simply choosing a popular breed or based on a trend.
‘Jack Russell Terriers are small dogs with a big personality, known for their lively and happy character.
‘They are popular family pet and will make a cheerful companion for anyone who can give them enough exercise and attention.’
According to The Kennel Club, Jack Russell Terrier ownership increased by 14 per cent between 2021 and 2022, coinciding with King Charles coming to the throne.
Plus, in the first quarter of 2022, 85 Jack Russell Terrier puppies were registered with The Kennel Club, but in the same period this year there were 117 – an almost 40 per cent increase.
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized breed of terrier that was developed in England in the 19th century by a clergyman named John Russell.
His interest in the breed began when he spotted a little dog, named ‘Trump’, on the back of a milk wagon, who became the mother of the breed after Russell bought her.
Trump was mostly white in colour, which Russell liked because it made her easier to spot while out hunting than brown or black dogs.
She was bred with a black and tan terrier to give the characteristic colouring of the breed.
Jack Russell Terriers were originally created to hunt foxes, which was a major problem for farmers and landowners at the time.
They had to be small enough to enter the dens, have the speed and stamina to cover long distances and be brave enough to come face-to-face with foxes.
They were bred to be fearless and agile hunters, with the ability to flush out foxes from their dens and chase them down.
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized breed of terrier that was developed in England in the 19th century by a clergyman named John Russell. His interest in the breed when he spotted a little dog, named ‘Trump’ (pictured), on the back of a milk wagon, who became the mother of the breed after Russell bought her
Jack Russell Terriers were originally created to hunt foxes, which were a major problem for farmers and landowners at the time. Pictured: Prince Charles holds up his Jack Russell terrier Bluebell, while Camilla carries Beth at the Dumfries House dog show in 2015
The breed’s popularity grew rapidly, and it soon became a favourite among hunters and farmers across England.
In the late 1800s, Jack Russell Terriers made their way to Australia with British settlers to aid the control of vermin in rural areas, but were also used for hunting.
Their exposure to different types of work helped to further develop the breed’s versatility and adaptability.
The first Jack Russell Terrier club was established in England in 1894, with the aim of promoting the breed and maintaining its working abilities.
But after World War II the need for hunting dogs declined, and so did the number of Jack Russell Terriers.
However, they became more prevalent in domestic settings as companion dogs, with owners drawn to their loyalty, intelligence and convenient size.
A study from last year found that Jack Russell Terriers have the longest life expectancy of all UK dog breeds of 12.7 years.
King Charles has a fondness for Jack Russell Terriers and has owned several throughout his life, including one named Tigga who he had for over 18 years
Jack Russell Terriers live longer than all other UK dog breeds – READ MORE HERE
Jack Russell Terriers (pictured) had the greatest life expectancy from age 0 at 12.7 years, followed by Border Collies (12.1 years) and Springer Spaniels (11.92 years)
King Charles has a fondness for Jack Russell Terriers and has owned several throughout his life, including one named Tigga who he had for over 18 years.
The pooch was given to him by Lady Salisbury and featured on many royal Christmas and birthday cards. One of his offspring, Freddy, was given to Camilla.
Tigga was put down in 2002 after a long-term illness, and the King had a willow sculpture of him put up in the grounds of Highgrove House as a memorial.
Alongside Tigga, in the 1990s, the monarch had another Jack Russell Terrier named Pooh. It is unclear whether they were both named after the A. A. Milne characters.
Sadly, Pooh went missing on the Balmoral estate in 1994 while Charles and his family were on holiday, and is thought to have gotten stuck down a rabbit hole.
While a fan of the Jack Russell Terrier breed, the King has also owned a yellow Labrador called Harvey, and grew up with his mothers beloved Corgis, of which she had over 30.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is now one of the UK’s most popular breeds according to The Kennel Club, despite being listed as ‘vulnerable’ in 2014.
This is believed to be thanks to the Queen’s passion for the dogs, and their popularity spiked ahead of the Platinum Jubilee last year.
Tigga (pictured) was given to the King by Lady Salisbury and featured on many royal Christmas and birthday cards. One of his offspring, Freddy, was given to Camilla
Alongside Tigga, in the 1990s, the monarch had another Jack Russell Terrier named Pooh. It is unclear whether they were both named after the A. A. Milne characters
While a fan of the Jack Russell Terrier breed, the King has also owned a yellow Labrador called Harvey (pictured), and grew up with his mothers beloved Corgis, of which she had over 30
Beth and Bluebell were adopted by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla in February 2017.
Before being taken in by Battersea Cats and Dogs home, Beth had been found tied to a post, while Bluebell was found wandering around a woods with no fur.
Camilla told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘Along I went to Battersea, and Beth appeared, and she had just been moved from pillar to post and dumped.
‘We thought it would be nice for her to have a friend. They found [Bluebell] two or three weeks later, wandering about in woods, no hair on her, covered in sores, virtually dead.
‘And they nursed her back to life and her hair grew again. She’s very sweet, but a tiny bit neurotic, shall we say.
Talking about her love of dogs, she added: ‘The nice thing about dogs is you can sit them down, you could have a nice long conversation, you could be cross, you could be sad and they just sit looking at you wagging their tail.’
Beth and Bluebell moved into Buckingham Palace with King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The late queen left behind four royal canines; two corgis, Candy and Muick, a corgi-dachshund cross – or ‘dorgi’ – named Sandy, and cocker spaniel Lissy.
Candy, Muick and Sandy all went to live with Prince Andrew in Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park, while Lissy was given to her trainer.
The Kennel Club is urging anyone thinking about taking on a Jack Russell Terrier to research the breed first and make sure they are right for them.
Mr Lambert said: ‘They have a lot of energy and need active exercise every day, as well as plenty of mentally-stimulating games to enjoy.’
Beth and Bluebell were adopted by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla in February 2017. Before being taken in by Battersea Cats and Dogs home, Beth had been found tied to a post, while Bluebell was found wandering around a woods with no fur. Pictured: Queen Consort Camilla and late television presenter Paul O’Grady speak at Battersea in 2012
Talking about her love of dogs, Queen Consort Camilla told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘The nice thing about dogs is you can sit them down, you could have a nice long conversation, you could be cross, you could be sad and they just sit looking at you wagging their tail’
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