Developed there, with some differences from the foundation stock, the ‘Australian’ Jack Russell has become popular world-wide at dog shows and was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1991. It was in Australia that the breed was first seen as a dog for the show ring. Many small working Terriers, some of them genuine Jack Russell Terriers and others loosely carrying the title, were exported to Australia in the 1960s and 1970s and in 1972 the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Australia was founded. Although the country of development is seen as Australia, the breed has its roots in the working Terriers of the British Isles, many of which were early exports with ex-pats who emigrated to Australia and which proved their worth keeping down vermin in the new homesteads.
The Jack Russell Terrier was given official recognition by The Kennel Club in 2016.
