The EJRTCA Breed Standard shall serve three purposes:

    1. To set ideal, attainable goals for the breeder.
    2. To guide the judge.
    3.To guide buyers in finding correct or acceptable specimens of the breed.

    In the registration process, the terrier, if accepted by the EJRTCA Registration Committee,  
    will be assigned to one of these categories.

    Advanced - The dog meets or exceeds all EJRTCA Breed Standards and processes a
    three-level pedigree -OR- has progressed from the "Tentative" category based on show
    and/or trial performance.
    Tentative - The dog conforms to EJRTCA Breed Standards but does not process a three
    -level pedigree. Can progress to "Advanced" based on written application to the EJRTCA
    Registration Committee detailing accomplishments in show and/or trial performance.
    Pet Quality - Reserved for dogs which generally meet EJRTCA Breed Standards but are
    deemed not to be of breeding quality or which have been spayed or neutered. (Typically,
    might include dogs with severe over/un-derbite, dwarfism, exaggerated shyness/
    aggressiveness, etc.)






































                                                                                                                                                                       
Background Picture: Copyright© All rights reserved, by Laura Alexander
EJRTCA Conformation Standards
Attribute
 Criteria
General Appearance
 A strong, active, little working Terrier of great character with flexible body
of medium length.  His smart movement matches his keen expression. Tail
docking is optional and the coat may be smooth, rough or broken.
Characteristics
 A lively, alert and active Terrier with a keen, intelligent expression.
Temperament
 Bold and fearless, friendly but quietly confident
Height
 The height of the terrier shall be between 8 and 12 inches as measured
at the withers with the dog standing fully erect.
Body
 Sturdy, balanced terrier. Body length slightly longer than length of leg.
Length should not exceed function. Straight back, level, with high tail set
carried erect. Chest should be spanned by two hands behind the
shoulder blades. Chest deep rather than wide, with good clearance and
the brisket located at the height mid-way between the ground and the
withers. The rear should be well put together with strong muscle and
good angulations. Well laid back shoulder.
Neck
 Well laid into shoulder. Strong and clean allowing head to be carried with
poise.
Head
 Strong boned with powerful jaws and strong cheek muscles. Dark
almond-shaped eyes, pigmented eye rims, dark black pigment on nose.
Small, v-shaped ears carried close to the head. Prick, semi-prick and
rose ears are acceptable but not preferred.
Eyes
 Small dark and with keen expression.  MUST not be prominent and
eyelids should fit closely.  The eyelid rims should be pigmented black.  
Almond shape.
Ears
 Button or dropped of good texture and great mobility.
Mouth and Teeth
 The points of the upper incisors slightly overlapping the lower. May be
missing up to four teeth. Deep wide and powerful jaws with tight-fitting
pigmented lips and strong teeth closing to a scissor bite.
Legs
 Straight as is consistent with the short legs for which we aim.
Feet
 "Hound-Like, "Fox-Like" and "Hare-Like" are all acceptable. All three are
considered sound working feet for a Jack Russell. Round, hard, padded,
not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in nor out
Tail
 May droop at rest.  When moving should be erect and if docked the tip
should be on the same level as ears.
Gait/Movement
 True, free, lively, springy, well-coordinated.
Coat
 Smooth, rough or broken coats, without coat being wooly. Smooth should
not be sparse. Belly and underside coated. Must be weatherproof,
preferably unaltered.
Color
 Predominantly white with tan, black or brown  markings. The tan markings
can be from the lightest tan to the richest tan (chestnut). Ticked or
mottled acceptable. Brindle not acceptable.
Faults
 FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered
a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded
should be in exact proportion to its degree.  However, the following
weaknesses should be particularly penalized:
(a)  Lack of true Terrier characteristics - Nervousness, cowardice              
    over-aggressiveness.
(b)  Lack of balance, i.e. over exaggeration of any points
(c)  Sluggish or unsound movement
(d)  Faulty mouth, week bite, minor physical deformities.
Disqualifications
 Extreme viciousness, shyness or major physical deformities (these are
considered such serious traits that dogs having them are not to be used
for breeding.) Undershot or overshot bites, rye mouth.
NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.
Form ej~std.htmI Issued 3/21/97 - amended 5/29/01
       EJRTCA Breed Standard
                   English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance, Inc.
                    An Official Club for the Short-Legged Jack Russell Terrier
               531 Salem Cemetery Road  Plain Dealing, LA  71064
                Phone: (318) 286-7151    Email: jgccrawford@juno.com
The picture is only provided as to show where a dog should be measured,
not how a dog should look.