Who is he really, this small, compact, cheerful devil? The history of the Jack Russell Terrier (aka Parson Russell Terrier) is a mixture of legend and reality. Where the legend ends and the truth begins is still a matter of controversy among lovers of the breed.
#1 One important point is that terrier-like dogs have existed in Europe since at least the 6th century, and possibly even earlier in the British Isles.
![](https://pettime.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Jack-russell-34.jpg)
#2 The main function of these dogs was to control rodent populations and protect the host’s reserves.
![](https://pettime.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Jack-russell-35.jpg)
#3 On poultry farms, he also used terriers to hunt predators – foxes and badgers.
![](https://pettime.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Jack-russell-36.jpg)