| Windermere Jack Russell Terriers
Kilkelly Farm Irish Draught Horses
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Windermere Telephone:
540-364-3833 |
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| Although Sprite had far from correct conformation, she did everything with true Jack Russell spirit and determination! No thing or person ever intimidated that little ball of energy! I was attending Cornell University at the time, and Sprite went everywhere with me on campus. She was famous for paying better attention in class than most of the students and she could tell exactly what time it was. She would start to get antsy moments before the bell sounded in anticipation of going outside to chase the squirrels off the quad. We spent many wonderful hours roaming the countryside around Ithaca and it was there that the Jack Russell Terrier became the only dog for me. Sprite instilled in me a life-long passion for the breed. I met my husband, Rustom, at Cornell and he enthusiastically shares my love of Jack Russell Terriers. | |||||
| From that beginning,
Windermere has grown steadily over the years. I stayed in close contact with Ailsa and
became one of the 16 charter members of the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) when Ailsa founded it in 1976. From its humble
beginnings, it too has grown; the membership is now close to 9,000. The popularity of the
Jack Russell Terrier has grown exponentially. It is rare to turn on the television or read
a magazine today without seeing one. That kind of popularity is not always a good thing
for the Jack Russell. Many people have recently become involved with JRTs to "cash
in" on that popularity. They breed dogs without any consideration for conformation,
temperament, working ability and genetic health. Others have seen fit to register their
dogs with the AKC. They condone judges who will never understand that the importance of a
Jack Russell's conformation relates only to WORKING.
I have always strived to keep the
emphasis on quality. In our breeding program, I aim to produce terriers with exceptionally
good conformation, which includes small, flexible chests, hard, tight coats, and good
bone. These characteristics will allow the terrier to perform its most import
function…to work underground! We are indeed fortunate to live in the hunt country of
Northern Virginia where our terriers are worked seasonally to a variety of quarry.
Windermere-bred terriers have excelled in the show ring over the years, accounting for
many National Championships and Reserves. We don't attend as many shows as we used to,
preferring to show only occasionally as an excuse to see our friends, have a good time and
see the young entry. While competing at trials has its good points, we believe that the
emphasis should be on keeping the Jack Russell Terrier a working dog rather than a show
dog. (Having said that, there isn't any reason why a good working JRT cannot be good to
look at).
Finally, we try very hard to keep
one other aspect in the forefront of our breeding program; TEMPERAMENT. Perhaps that is
what Windermere is best known for. The reality of living with a Jack Russell Terrier in
your home with your children and/or other dogs or pets is that they have to be carefully
bred for intelligence and good dispositions in order for them to make a wonderful pet and
companion. It has taken me 25 years to develop the kind of temperament I want in a Jack
Russell Terrier …the kind I know you would want also. A sweet, loving and
affectionate dog…one that has a great intelligence and is a member of the family, not
just an outsider looking in. Also, a terrier that can also live up to the lines of the
JRTCA Breed Standard, one that "presents a lively, active and alert appearance. It
should impress with its fearless and happy disposition".
All of our terriers are registered
with the JRTCA, and I am signatory to their Breeders Code of Ethics. All of our Windermere
terriers are BAER (hearing) tested and all of our breeding stock is CERF (eyes) tested
annually. At Windermere we are not only dedicated to preserving the Jack Russell as a
working terrier, but preserving its genetic health as well. All Windermere dogs are
sold with a written guarantee. Show/Breeding stock are guaranteed to be registerable and
healthy.
We breed only a few litters each
year, and our puppies are sold by reservation only. Please take a moment to remember that
the dog you are interested in purchasing will hopefully be with you and your family for
many years to come. I strongly urge you to do your homework now!
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