Known for its many irresistible qualities, the Jack Russell Terrier or JRT is becoming one of the most sought-after breeds recently, making those interested in the breed very curious about its cost.
If you are one of those who has this active breed in mind, then it is critical that you prepare your budget not just for the acquisition of the dog itself but also for the associated costs of owning one.
This article will guide you with all the finances you need to consider as you get ready to acquire your very own Jack Russell, places to find one, and practical tips on saving money as you take care of your dog.
The Average Cost of a Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
The average cost of a Jack Russell Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder ranges between $600 and $1,500, depending on the pedigree, registration, quality, and the breeder’s reputation and location. Meanwhile, show-quality puppies may reach $2,500 or higher.
You may come across Jack Russell Terrier puppies being sold at very low prices but practice caution. These may be from backyard breeders or puppy mills that cannot guarantee your dog’s health.
If you think you are able to save money in dealing with these unreliable sources, think again, as you may end up losing more with multiple vet visits and medical treatment once health issues start to show in your puppy.
On the other hand, when it comes to quality Jack Russell Terriers from legitimate breeders, smooth, broken, or rough-coated ones all fall under the same price range indicated, so it will just be a matter of your preference.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
Setting the price for a puppy is not a simple matter. There are a lot of factors leading to the value given to it by its breeder. This holds true for the Jack Russell Terrier puppy too.
Below are some of the considerations on why Jack Russell Terriers are priced accordingly:
Quality and Appearance: Although the type of coat may not directly affect the price of a JRT, its coat quality and how close the dog is to the standards of the breed will matter a lot in terms of its cost.
Pedigree: The pedigree or lineage of a Jack Russell Terrier will determine if it carries the bloodlines of champions and its potential to compete in conformation or even sporting events. Expect top pedigree puppies to cost $2,500 and up.
Breeder’s Reputation: The most reputable breeders of Jack Russell Terriers are known for their high quality and healthy pups. Hence, they may demand higher prices, although it comes with all the guarantees you need, and you are leaving worry-free from your purchase.
Health Screenings and Vaccinations: Puppies from DNA-tested parents certifying that they are free from any hereditary illnesses, along with an updated record of vaccinations and deworming, will naturally come with a higher price tag.
Location: If you choose a breeder that is not within your area, expect to shoulder the cost of shipping or delivery. Naturally, the farther the location, the higher the cost.
As you start to deal with breeders, always have these factors in mind for you to effectively gauge if the puppy you are interested in is worth its price.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Jack Russell Terrier From a Rescue?
Adopting a Jack Russell Terrier from a legitimate animal shelter or rescue organization will cost around $300 to $800, with age as one of the most determining factors of the price.
Most of these rescues provide proper medical treatment and have spayed or neutered, rehabilitated, and trained their rescued dogs already. The costs are usually already embedded in the adoption price of the puppy.
Another good aspect of adopting is the nobility of the act. Most of these Jack Russell Terriers up for adoption have once been neglected or abandoned, waiting for another chance at living a better life.
Initial Cost of Jack Russell Terrier Ownership
Along with the acquisition of a new Jack Russell Terrier puppy comes the cost of welcoming it into its new home and ensuring that it will be comfortable and healthy as it settles into its new environment.
That said, it is important to include these in your budget early since most of these items would need to be purchased ahead before taking home the pup.
Below is a list of the most critical items that are part of the initial costs of owning a Jack Russell Terrier puppy:
Food and Treats: Choosing the right type of kibbles and dog treats for your Jack Russell Terrier puppy is vital in providing the proper nutrition it needs. You may wish to ask its breeder about the current brand of dog food or treats it is given for ease of transition. Good quality dog food and treats will cost around $50 to $100.
Food and Water Bowls: Right-sized and good-quality food and water bowls are necessary to make sure that they are comfortable during their feeding time. Prepare a budget of about $10 to $30 for this pair.
Bed: After a full day of physical and mental activities, your Jack Russell Terrier puppy would appreciate resting in a nice and comfortable bed. This may hold you back by $30 to $180.
Crate: Setting aside $30 to $370 gets you a quality crate that you can use to transport your pet and for crate training your Jack Russell Terrier puppy.
Leashes and Collars: A combination of a properly fitted leash and collar for your Jack Russell Terrier may hold you back by about $15 to $50. Due to the prey drive of the JRT, this pair is necessary for leash training.
Toys: As an intelligent breed, toys are critical to keeping your Jack Russell Terrier mentally stimulated. Make sure to select toys that do not break easily due to biting or rough play. Set aside around $20 to $40 for a set of quality toys.
Grooming Essentials: A budget of about $30 to $160 would be enough for the basic grooming essentials for your Jack Russell Terrier, including dog shampoo, conditioner, hair brush, toothbrush, nail clippers, eye and ear cleansers, and others.
Deworming, Flea, Tick, and Mite Medication: Preventing parasite infestation in your Jack Russell Terrier is important to protect them from deadly diseases brought about by these pests. The price of anti-parasitic medications may range between $50 and $200.
Initial Vet Visits: Scheduling regular vet visits are a good way to monitor the health and overall well-being of your Jack Russell Terrier pup, especially during its formative stage. This may need a budget of around $100 to $300 for each visit.
Initial Vaccine Shots: The initial set of vaccines for your Jack Russell Terrier is one of the most critical in this list since it acts as your JRT’s protection from the most common and lethal canine diseases. Set aside $75 to $200 for initial vaccination.
Neutering or Spaying: If you have no plans of breeding, neutering or spaying may be done at the right time for its health and behavioral benefits. The surgery may hold you back by about $50 to $500.
Dog License: A dog license can be used to locate and protect your Jack Russell Terrier if it gets lost. Being mandated in some areas in the United States, you can get this done for only $10 to $20.
Microchip: A microchip is a small device implanted in the dog’s back that needs to be registered with any national pet recovery database. This contains relevant information about the dog and its owner and is very useful in retrieving your dog should it get lost. This can cost you around $40 to $60.
Miscellaneous Supplies: These supplies refer mostly to cleaning and maintenance items in owning a dog, such as poop bags, scoopers, carpet cleaners, and odor neutralizers. Prepare around $15 to $30 for these supplies.
Here’s a quick recap of all the initial expenses you would need for your Jack Russell Terrier puppy:
If you are surprised by this cost, you should know that many of these are just one-time purchases. If you buy high-quality items, you can save a lot since these could potentially last for the lifetime of your JRT.
You can also check with breeders for deals or puppy packages that may come with some freebies, such as dog food and treats, food and water bowls, leash and collars, toys, and maybe even a bed or crate.
Annual Cost of Owning a Jack Russell Terrier
Another budgetary consideration you need for your Jack Russell Terrier is the cost of its maintenance or upkeep. This should help you plan ahead for the longer-term ownership of your Jack Russell Terrier.
Understandably, your Jack Russell Terrier’s needs may change throughout its different life stages. Nonetheless, the costs of keeping your JRT continually healthy and happy are rewarding in the end.
Here’s a summary of the yearly upkeep expenses of owning a Jack Russell Terrier:
If you break down the annual expenses into monthly averages, you will realize that the costs are not bad at all, with food and treats being the most essential in keeping your Jack Russell healthy and well-nourished.
Furthermore, you will notice that pet insurance is another heavy expense on the list. However, you can save a significant amount with pet insurance in case of medical emergencies.
Bear in mind that these are just averages. Your actual expenses will still mostly depend on your preferences, location, and lifestyle.
Other Potential Expenses
As much as it is great to keep track of all the expenses that need to be considered in owning a Jack Russell, there will always be unexpected circumstances that may force you to spend outside the planned budget.
However, setting aside some money for emergency expenses should also give you an advantage in keeping your budget intact.
Here are some potential expenses you might encounter in owning a Jack Russell Terrier:
Dog Daycare: If you are a fur parent with a busy lifestyle and are mostly on business trips or vacations, leaving your dog with a pet daycare should keep you worry-free. These professionals can safely take care of all the needs of your Jack Russell Terrier for about $30 to $50 per day.
Dog Sitting: Given the high energy demand of the Jack Russell Terrier, keeping it physically and mentally stimulated is a must. Understandably, there may be times when you may not be able to do these activities with your dog yourself. Hence, dog sitters may be hired to keep it engaged for a daily rate of $15 to $30.
Pet Fees: If you are living in a rented space with pet restrictions, some landlords may charge pet deposits, pet fees, or pet rent. One-time pet deposits and fees may range between $100 and $500. Meanwhile, pet rent is a monthly payment that may cost anywhere between $10 and $50.
Grooming Services: Grooming Jack Russell Terriers is a relatively easy task. However, if you own a broken or rough-coat JRT and would need the help of professional groomers, a full session may cost you around $35 to $50.
Training: Some pet owners prefer to get fully-trained Jack Russell Terrier puppies from reputable breeders for a much higher cost. However, if you wish to employ a professional trainer yourself for sessions, such as obedience or housebreaking, prepare around $50 to $500.
Emergency Medical Treatment: In the eventuality that pet insurance is not available and an accident or medical emergency occurs, always set aside an emergency budget of around $1,000 to $5,000 for treatment and procedures.
Being aware of these potential expenses that may or may not occur is still an advantage for any pet owner from a readiness perspective. In case it is needed, then it should not catch you by surprise.
Places to Find Jack Russell Terrier Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Though the Jack Russell Terrier is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) at the moment, many reputable breeders are listed with the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA).
The JRTCA acts as the national breed club and registry of the Jack Russell Terrier in the United States, and they make it easy to source high-quality and healthy JRTs in the country.
However, it is still the potential buyer’s responsibility to research thoroughly and get the best deal from the breeders they interact with.
Further, reading this puppy-buying guide should help you avoid dealing with a puppy mill or backyard breeder who sells very cheap puppies that may turn out to be unhealthy or of poor quality.
Here are some of the most reputable sites where you can purchase a healthy Jack Russell Terrier puppy:
Legendary Terriers – This breeding organization has about 20 years of experience with Jack Russell Terriers, making them experts in the breed. They produce JRTs out of champion lines, and their breeding focus is on the quality, temperament, health, and longevity of their puppies.
Black Brush Jack Russells – As members of both the JRTCA and the American Working Terrier Association, Black Brush Jack Russells’ breeding stock comes in smooth, broken, and rough coat variants that are all built for conformation and events. Hence, you can find any type of JRT in their lists, no matter your preferred appearance.
British Grit Jack Russell Terriers – With 40 years of mastery in the field, British Grit is committed to producing genetically-sound JRT puppies that are healthy, excellent-looking, athletic, and devoted to their owners. Their puppies are available by reservation throughout the year.
You can also check out other reputable breeders on our Jack Russel breeder guide.
Meanwhile, if adopting a Jack Russell Terrier is something you are considering, go through this ultimate guide to dog adoption first to increase your chances of being approved for one.
Below is a list of legitimate rescue organizations to find a Jack Russell Terrier for rehoming:
Russell Rescue, Inc. (RRI) – RRI is a network of volunteers dedicated to rehoming unwanted, displaced, or abandoned Jack Russell Terriers. The rescues are temporarily taken care of in loving foster homes while waiting for suitable permanent homes. RRI’s requirements for adoption are clearly specified in their adoption application form.
Jacks Galore, Inc. – Based in Massachusetts, Jacks Galore is committed to working closely with prospective owners and fosters to make the adoption process easier and faster. This is done without compromising the goal of carefully matching the rescues to the homes that best fit their needs.
Mid-Atlantic Jack Rescue, Inc. (MAJR) – MAJR’s objective is to help rescued Jack Russell Terriers find permanent homes regardless of age or disability. They have a 2-week target to complete the entire adoption process, including submission of the application, reference checks, a home visit, and settling the adoption contract and fee.
Adoption does not just save you the money you can use otherwise for the upkeep expenses of your Jack Russell Terrier but also give rescued dogs another chance for a better life in the future.
Money-Saving Tips for Jack Russell Terrier Owners
Taking care of a Jack Russell Terrier need not be expensive. With the right budget strategies, owners can save a lot of money that can be set aside for other important expenses.
Here are some ways to stay prudent without sacrificing your JRT’s quality of life:
Invest in high-quality items. Given the active lifestyle and curiosity of the Jack Russell Terrier, buying them high-quality items that are sturdy enough to withstand their biting, playing, and scratching will be more practical instead of having to constantly repurchase destroyed stuff.
Learn how to train your Jack Russell Terrier yourself. The Jack Russell Terrier is a very intelligent breed and a highly trainable one. Using positive reinforcement and learning from books, videos, and online articles on how to effectively train your JRT should save you a lot of money instead of hiring a professional trainer.
Make DIY dog toys and puzzles. One of the basic needs of a Jack Russell Terrier is mental stimulation. And what better way to do it than through games using dog toys and puzzles? To be cost-effective, you can create these materials yourself from scrap or recycled items in your home.
Prepare homemade dog food and treats. Dog food is one of the major expenses of owning a Jack Russell Terrier. If you have time, preparing homemade dog food, which you can also store for several days, can spare you from the high cost of kibbles without sacrificing nutrition.
Groom your Jack Russell Terrier at home. You can save on grooming costs by learning from many instructional materials online on how to groom your Jack Russell Terrier, regardless of its coat type. This can include proper nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing.
Here is a video you can follow when learning to groom your smooth-coated Jack Russell Terrier:
Grooming A Jack Russel<a href="https://youtu.be/Zm11Kzz1N5o" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FZm11Kzz1N5o%2F0.jpg" alt="Grooming A Jack Russel" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Aside from these tips, there are a lot more practical ways how to save on the costs of owning a Jack Russell Terrier. With a little creativity, you can even come up with your own effective strategies.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons dog enthusiasts are drawn to the Jack Russell Terrier. From its appearance to its intelligence and lovable temperament, the demand continues to be high for this wonderful breed.
If you are one of those with eyes set on the JRT, being aware of all the associated costs in owning one should give you a headstart in your financial preparation for raising your pet, which hopefully this article has provided.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the cost of a Jack Russell Terrier by dropping us a comment below.
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