PAGE 4 - THE KINCARDINE INDEPENDENT, Wednesday, November 12, 1997

Armow couple raises champion Jack Russell Terriers',

An effective pest control for area farmers

By Tim McKay

Jack Russell Terriers have gained lots of recognition lately, thanks to Eddie, the dog on the television show Frasier, and Wishbone, also a television star.

But Ken and Kathy Bushell of Armow, who own and breed several of the little dogs, say the publicity isn't necessarily a good thing for the breed.

Unlike other purebred dogs, Jack Russell Terriers are still bred for work. The Bushells, who run Natural Instinct Kennels, say the breed could suffer if it were bred solely for show.

The name, Terrier, comes from the Latin word terra - which means earth. Jack Russells are earth dogs.

They were first bred in the 19th century by a renowned hunter, Reverend John Russell, for use in fox hunts. Before the Jack Russell, the hunts used to end quickly once the fox went into a hole in the ground. Jack Russells were bred to go into the hole and flush the fox out.

Today, the dogs still burrow instinctively.

Bushell uses his dogs as a pest control service for area farmers. He takes one or two dogs to a barn that has a raccoon problem. The dogs are let loose and they locate and flush out the raccoons.

But the Bushells, who started out with one dog three years ago, also like to enter their dogs in Jack Russell Terrier Club of Canada competitions.

Although there is a category for conformation (the dog's look and build), most events are geared toward working dogs. Unlike regular dog shows, there are categories that test practical skills such as: racing, go-to-ground racing (a timed run through an earth tunnel), agility and obedience, and search and sniff.

This year, the Bushells’ dogs have won dozens of ribbons.

They have two dogs that have done extremely well.

Petie (Ka-Cee Petie), a four-year old, competes in the small dog working class - the most prestigious category at Jack Russell shows. This year Petie has won every show he has entered. Last year, while with a different owner, Petie defeated a dog by the name of Vagabond Voodoo. Bushell says Vagabond Voodoo, who met with an untimely death this year, was somewhat of a legend in the Jack Russell community. He was an American dog who won more trials than any other Jack Russell in North America.

The Bushells say Petie is successful because he is built well. "As far as a small hunting dog" says Ken, 'Petie has more wins than any other dog in Canada." Judges look for a straight front end, flexibility, a mushy chest that the average hands could fit around, squareness, the set of the shoulders, and angled back legs.

The dog the Bushells are most proud of, however, is one they bred themselves.Twiggy (Natural Instinct Twiggy), who is still a pup, has placed well in every competition she has been in. Racing as a four- to six-, month-old pup, she beat the field hands (paws) down. At the next show she was puppy racing champion, defeating both males and females.

The Bushells also have another, young pup they hope will be a champion. "It's not easy to find a good small male,"' says Ken.

He says he does things a different way than most breeders by starting out with one female and using her as the foundation for his future litters."Most breeders buy good dogs," he say, "We want to work our way up to it."

As for the future, Ken says he plans to keep producing a few good Jack Russells. every year."We won’t breed a dog that can't hunt," he insists. 'it bothers me that they are being bred just as pets, not working dogs."

The Jack Russell Terrier Club of Canada is also very particular. To get in the breed registry, the dog must be one-year-old and get checked by a veterinarian for genetic defects. After that, six photos, along with pedigree information, must be sent to a judges' committee, which decides if the dog meets the standards.

Ken & Kathy Bushell with Thier award Winning Jack Russell Terriers, KaCee Petie Of Natural Instinct (left) and Natural Instinct Twiggy (Right). (Tim McKay photos)

(Reprinted with permission from Kincardine Independent)

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