Kennel Club recognises the Jack Russell Terrier which, despite being a popular pet, has never been officially recognised as a pedigree breed in the UK.

The number of pedigree dog breeds officially recognised in the UK is set to go up to 216, as the Kennel Club, the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs, recognises the Jack Russell Terrier as a pedigree breed.

The Jack Russell may be a common sight in the streets and parks of Britain, has seen out and about with celebrities such as Mariah Carey and Sarah Jessica Parker and has starred in films such as The Artist, but it has previously not been recognised as a breed, but rather identified as a ‘type’ due to the wide diversity of dogs that can be described as Jack Russell Terriers. To protect the heritage of this popular dog, and to help prospective dog owners who are choosing which dog is most suited to their lifestyle, the Kennel Club will begin recording Jack Russell births through its voluntary registration system from next year.

It will also draft a Breed Standard for the breed, which describes the various characteristics of a breed and how they are likely to be in terms of their size, exercise, temperament and grooming needs. This will help promote the responsible breeding of Jack Russells and ensure that the level of predictability seen in other recognised dog breeds is duplicated in registered Jack Russell Terriers.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Many people think that the Jack Russell Terrier is already a recognised breed, because they have seen one in their local park or doing the school run with parents, but there are so many varieties of Jack Russell that until now it has not been officially recognised by the Kennel Club.

“By recognising the Jack Russell as an official breed, we can help cement its heritage and protect its future as a much-loved traditional working dog and popular pet. By encouraging the bulk of the population of these dogs to fit a Breed Standard we can help to ensure that puppy buyers get a dog with predictable characteristics that is suitable for their lifestyle and that they are bred to be healthy, with good temperament and are fit for function."