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Jack Russell Terrier Research Foundation

The Jack Russell Terrier Research Foundation (JRTRF) will encourage, promote and support the development and/or maintenance of research related to genetic defects found in the Jack Russell Terrier by, among other means, making gifts or grants to other Section 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in such research.

All breeds of dogs seem to have their own particular set of faults and inherited defects and the Jack Russell Terrier is no exception. Although the Jack Russell has not been overrun with problems, as the popularity of the breed grows, so will the defects.

JRT Health Registry

If you are a breeder, prospective dog owner or someone looking for a highly trained Jack Russell Terrier for specific service work, hunting or the show ring, understanding your dog's genetic health will help you make better decisions concerning your dog. All terriers are encouraged to be submitted - you don't have to be a breeder to help us ensure the genetic health of our breed for many years to come. Please visit the JRT Health Registry

DogsTest Results
981 3143
 CAERBAERPLLSCADMHULOANNA
Total 400 334 888 806 423 76 63 97
Normal 363 334 340 324 225 48 53 67
Carrier 0 0 67 29 52 9 0 8
Affected 0 0 1 0 2 3 0 0
NBD     480 453 144 16 10 22
Statistics generated on May 24, 2025 03:00:04 PM
Add your Jack Russell Terrier to the JRT Health Registry

How To Test

We added a simplified summary to help answer questions about testing and submitting blood to the JRT DNA Bank, housed at the University of Missouri. Genetic testing forms can be found in the Forms Library. To update health information on a terrier with blood in the JRT DNA Bank, please use the DNA Bank Update form.

Normal By Descent (NBD)

When a dog tests Normal it means he is carrying two normal copies of the gene in question, therefore he can only pass on a normal copy. When two normal tested dogs are bred their off-spring will also carry two normal copies, hence the term NBD.

However there’s one important aspect being forgotten. This rule only holds true if you are using gene based testing. If you use marker tests or linkage tests you must test every generation. This is why AKC and OFA will only certify first generation NBD’s from gene based testing and WILL NOT certify NBD’s from marker and linkage testing.  Read More About NBD

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