Skip to content
Home » JRTCA Yearbook » About the JRTCA

About the JRTCA

The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA), founded in 1976, is the National Breed Club and Registry for the Jack Russell Terrier in the United States. The JRTCA is affiliated with the Jack Russell Terrier United World Federation (JRTUWF), an organization of Jack Russell clubs dedicated to protecting the working Jack Russell Terrier worldwide. Please note that the JRTCA is NOT affiliated in any way with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

JRTCA - Preserve, Protect and Work the Jack Russell Terrier

The JRTCA breed registry is one of the most unique registries in the world. It has been designed specifically to maintain the Jack Russell Terrier as a healthy working breed, free from genetic faults and characteristics that would be detrimental to the breed. Unlike other registries which register entire litters at birth, each application for registration is judged on the individual terrier’s own merits.

The JRTCA and its registry were founded for the purpose of protecting and preserving the unique characteristics and working heritage of this great little terrier, and remains dedicated to that purpose today. The Club is, and always have been, emphatically opposed to recognition of the Jack Russell Terrier by any kennel club or all-breed registry. Recognition, it is believed, will be detrimental to the preservation of the Jack Russell as the sound, intelligent strain of working terrier it has been for more than 100 years.

JRTCA Working Certificates

The JRTCA gives out three types of Certificates for working: The Natural Hunting Certificate Below Ground in the Field, the Sporting Certificate, and the Trial Certificate.

The JRTCA Natural Hunting Certificate Below Ground in the Field is the highest certificate awarded. It is awarded for natural earthwork by the terrier and owner, judged by a sanctioned working judge, and is issued to only registered or recorded dogs. The terrier and its owner must work together in combination to be awarded this certificate. The certificate can be awarded several times to the same dog, as long as each time it is earned, it is for a different quarry worked.

The JRTCA also gives special honor to those Jack Russells and their owners who have earned three (or more) Natural Hunting Certificates Below Ground to different quarry. These top terriers and their owners are honored in the club newsletter and also are awarded the JRTCA Bronze Working Terrier Medallion for Special Merit in the Field.

The JRTCA’s Sporting Certificate is awarded to Jack Russells who have worked successfully to non-formidable or above-ground quarry, such as squirrels, rats, etc.

The Trial Certificate is awarded to Jack Russells which achieve a 100 percent score in the Open Class of the Go-to-Ground Division at a sanctioned trial.