Piney Woods Jack Russell Terrier Club to host Working Terrier Winter Event

The Jack Russell Terrier. Everything about him has hunting in mind.

In the mid 1800s this feisty little terrier was developed by English preacher Jack Russell to hunt small game; particularly foxes. It is said Mr. Russell favored a dog that was bold enough to follow the fox into its earthen den but not so aggressive that it would kill the quarry. He trained his terrier to find and flush the fox out for the houndsmen and their foxhounds.

A flexible dog, the Jack Russell Terrier's small, compact, agile body enables it to maneuver in subterranean dens making it the perfect candidate for hunting underground prey. And Jack Russell Terriers like nothing better than to hunt.

This weekend Saturday, January 20 and Sunday, January 21, hundreds of Jack Russell Terriers will have the chance to exhibit their hunting skills at the Piney Woods Jack Russell Terrier Club "Working Terrier Winter Event" to be held at the Henderson County Fair Grounds, on State Highway 31, east in Athens.

Local Jack Russell Terrier breeders Dr. Jim and Debbie Gibbs, owners of Rockwork Kennel in Brownsboro, have entered their award winning terriers in the show's Conformation Classes. If all goes well, they may also participate in the racing and underground hunting events.

Mrs. Gibbs' 7-year-old "Spiceitup" and her brother "Luke" are entered in the Bronze Medallion classes. A Jack Russell Terrier must earn three certificates as a working class dog before they are considered a Bronze Medallion dog, the highest honor of all. Both Spiceitup and Luke earned the prestigious award when they were still young pups.

"I'm going to show her until she won't show no more," Mrs. Gibbs said of Spiceitup. "She's earned it."

A main attraction will, of course, be the racing events that begin at 8:30 a.m., sharp each morning. In one event, six dogs at a time with different colored collars for identification will be released from a box. All six must plow through a hole in a stack of hay bales only large enough for one at a time. The first dog through the hay is the winner.

"Dogs will learn to bump the other dogs out of the way to get through the hole first," Mrs. Gibbs said. "It may not always be the fastest dog that wins, but the one that can get to the hole first. It's really funny."

Other racing events include flat races, steeplechase races, and high hurdles.

The lure chase has the dog chasing a lure over obstacles in the shortest amount of time.

"The brush hunts are really cute," Mrs. Gibbs said.

The brush hunt tests how fast the terrier can find the rat in the brush pile. Three PVC tubes are hidden in the brush, but only one contains the rat. Traps will be in the ring such as small holes and pieces of trash to divert the dog's attention. The first dog to find the rat hidden in a brush pile wins.

"Some dogs have never done it before, but it's a lot of fun to watch," Mrs. Gibbs said.

On Sunday Veterinarian Dr. Freeman will be administering BAER hearing tests from 11am-2pm.

Dr. Gibbs has AVID and Home Again microchipping available at his Horseshoe Animal Clinic, in Brownsboro. For more information call 903-852-5672.

A big thank you to all the club members who set up events not requiring sanctioned judges.

"They don't get paid anything, " Mrs. Gibbs said. "It's all on a voluntary basis. They put in lots of hours."

Also to John Butler and Crystal Jones of Jacksonville, for donating the hay needed for all the events.

Saturday and Sunday's program is as follows:

8am - Entry Table Opens

8:30am - Racing

9:30am - Obedience (Conformation Ring)

9am-10:30am - Agility Practice Runs

10am - Go-To-Ground Division

After Racing:

Noon - Conformation Division

Ring I - Working, Puppy 6- 12, Family & Open

Ring II - Youth, Puppy 4-6 & Misc.

Noon - Agility

1:30-3:30 - Lure Coursing

2pm-3:30pm - Super Go- To-Ground

2:30pm-4pm - Super Brush