Black and Tan Jack Russells?

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

I just groomed a dog at work who the owner claimed was a pure Jack Russell. However this dog was Black and Tan all over with not a hint of white anywhere and short legs, I know the breed standard says ‘predominantly white’.
This person said ‘people always say she’s a cross but I say no she’s a pure Jack Russell’. I’m just now wondering can this be true? Has this owner been totally ripped off or am I being ignorant?

I was just looking at images and she looks like she could be a Russell x Daschund. I didn’t really say anything at the time but was thinking definitely a cross! I feel a bit silly asking this when I’m one of the ‘Jack Russell Lovers’ of the forum!

 

[JudyN]

I thought that until recently JRTs weren't a pure breed, but more a 'type' (and not consistent enough to show at Crufts). Actually, I've just found a breeder that specialises in 'rare colour' JRTs: Our Dogs | Rare Coloured Jack Russells For Sale | Hampshire

So I don't know, but it may be that there is enough variation in JRTs that breeding two dogs accepted to be JRTs (they weren't given pedigree status till 2015) can throw up all sorts of variations, including those a long way from the new breed description. Though I'm just googling and guessing, really...

 

[Mad Murphy]

Black and tan jrt have been a thing here for the last 5 years or so. In fact I hardly see a white one anymore..

 

[merlina]

There's a little terrier called the Manchester Heeler that is very like what you describe. Very rare now but I think were bred from your basic ratter just like JR's. So maybe a throwback?

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

That’s interesting @Mad Murphy i only see the usual white ones, where do you live? I guess to be recognised by the KC they needed to specify a colour type so went with the more common white.

@JudyN it is a varied breed absolutely, love the dogs on that site! The chocolate and tan so pretty

Oh my gosh, yes @merlina i typed Manchester Heeler in google and it automatically came up with Lancashire Heeler and she looked exactly like that with dropped ears!
Unless she was a rescue so they’ve just guessed her breed and got it wrong?

 

[Mad Murphy]

@Jack-Russell-Lover im in NL I dont know if something has happened in the last few years or if someone started out breeding like with all the xxxx a poo dogs but they look like short legged jrt theyre just different colours.

 

[niamh123]

I see a lot of the black and tans here in Swansea

 

[Dibbythedog]

I expect its crossed with something else.

I had a Black and Tan JRT type called Judy years ago . She was adopted so I didnt know much about her back ground or heritage.

 

[JudyN]

I had a Black and Tan JRT type called Judy years ago

What a great name choice

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was due to out breeding, there's all sorts around these days. Oh I'm not far from you @niamh123, but I think that's the first or second black and tan jrt I've seen. How strange, I suppose its hard to know for certain, whatever she was she was lovely

 

[Kara 1]

I have seen black and tan Jack's..they were fashionable a few years ago to have something different ...breeders just keep breeding from tri colour dogs that haven't got much white until they breed the white out ...

 

[Kara 1]

Found these 2 advertised as Irish jack Russell terriers........
I know the pudding Jack's were bred in Ireland...

 

[Biker John]

Merlina, just a small correction they are called Lancashire Heelers, not Manchester. They also used to be called Ormskirk Terriers many years ago before they were KC recognised. As an aside my parents used to breed them, (again before KC recognised) so I have a lot of fond memories of them.

 

[JoanneF]

Didn't @gypsysmum look for a heeler for a while?

 

[merlina]

I think Jack Russell Lover has already made the Lancs/Manchester point. All I know is 40 years ago in this village (on Wirral) an elderly man had two black-and-tans that he was VERY clear were Manchester heelers- not Lancashire. It's very close to the start of the Manchester Ship Canal here so I guess these were dockland dogs not country. He said, 'For the corn warehouses! And maybe the last ones.' He and his wonderful dogs are long gone- so was probably right.

 

[malwhit]

Manchester Terriers are a lot bigger than most Jack Russells and Heelers. The one I owned was either mistaken for a black and tan Whippet or a young Dobermann.

Most Jack Russells aren't registered with the KC or non KC breed clubs, and most working owners wouldn't want KC registration. They are free to choose breeding animals based on working ability even if its a different/type breed