Names for a Jack Russell Terrier

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After adopting your JRT, you might want to give it a particular name, especially if you live in an apartment with other JRTs in the neighborhood. Picking the best name from the names for a Jack Russell terrier will make it identifiable in your neighborhood, parks and doggy daycares. 

Names for a Jack Russell Terrier

There are many different names you can give your JRT depending on appearance attributes, sex, and personality traits. Although the best name depends on your preference, the following are the popular names for JRTs. 

Hunting Names Given to JRTs

Keeping in mind that JRTs were originally bred as hunting dogs, they have a strong prey drive, and you can give them the following hunting names to let people know about these hunting instincts.

A Jack Russell running on the grassfield
  • Swift
  • Sassy
  • Sparky
  • Chase
  • Bullet
  • Bandit
  • Apollo
  • Zoom
  • Bolt
  • Dash
  • Turbo
  • Duchess
  • Tracker
  • Sonic
  • Xena
  • Scooter
  • Venus
  • Rocket
  • Hunter
  • Jett

Male JRT Names

Although there are no hard rules governing dog names based on their sex, the following are some of the popular names you can give your JRT to let people outrightly know it’s a male dog.

  • Bonsai
  • Zeus
  • Milo
  • Goerge
  • Freddy
  • Lucky
  • Pip
  • Tucker
  • Theo
  • Iggy
  • Pint
  • Ryder
  • Rocky
  • Toby
  • Cooper
  • Oliver
  • Max
  • Archie
  • Mino
  • Merlin
  • Oscar
  • Duke
  • Benji
  • Nico
  • Gizmo
  • Sawyer
  • Teddy
  • Gus
  • Slim
  • Baron
  • Jack
  • Oscar
  • Chester
  • Buddy

Female JRT Names

If you love your female JRT and you would like to address it as her, it’s advisable to give it one of the following JRT female names:

Cute JRT in the woods
  • Annie
  • Rina
  • Penny
  • Lily
  • Cleo
  • Dora
  • Emma
  • Muffin
  • Stella
  • Mango
  • Lucy
  • Juno
  • Flor
  • Hazel
  • Heidi
  • Olive
  • Trixie
  • Mila
  • Molly
  • Maddy
  • Belle
  • Tink
  • Mocha
  • Reese
  • Maggie
  • Zoe
  • Daisy
  • Bella
  • Roxy
  • Bailey
  • Luna

Funny Names for JRT

JRTs are popular dogs, and it’s not a wonder to discover your close neighbors own them. Keeping in mind that you might not know the name of their dogs, yet you want your dog to be unique, you can give it one of the following funny names.

  • Spud
  • Moose
  • Mischief
  • Jumbo
  • Weenie
  • Chaos
  • Toot
  • Tiny
  • Miyagi
  • Rex
  • Pumba
  • Chunk
  • Bugsy
  • Elmo
  • Gollum
  • Jabba
  • Goober
  • Mouse
  • Zeus
  • Yoda
  • Shorty
  • Waldo
  • Sumo
  • Scrappy
  • Thor
  • Nessi
  • Hulk
  • Homer
Jack Russell dog lying on the couch

Names for Brown and White JRTs

Considering that JRTs can have different color combinations, such as white, tan, and black or white, tan and brown, you can let people know that your JRT is brown and white by giving it one of the following names.

  • Henna
  • Penny
  • Checkers
  • Patch
  • Autumn
  • Chai
  • Foxy
  • Kona
  • Ginger
  • Nacho
  • Dunkin
  • Butters
  • Beans
  • Rusty
  • Fawn
  • Spot
  • Donut
  • Chewy

Famous Names Given to JRTs

Different dog breeds have different famous names that dominate. Some of the most popular JRT names you can pick include: 

  • Skip
  • Milo
  • Trump 
  • Barkey
  • Enzo & Moose
  • Bothy
  • Cosmo
  • Nipper
  • Beth & Bluebell
  • Uggie
  • Chalky

How to Choose a Name for Your Jack Russell Terrier

Since the name you will give your JRT will identify it for the rest of its life, you’ll want to give it a name related to its personality traits, physical appearance attributes, and sex. 

The following are some of the physical and behavioral considerations to make when picking a name for your JRT.

Choose a Dog Name With Two Syllables 

Although JRTs are intelligent dogs, they are not as intelligent as humans and might not grasp or remember long names. Keeping in mind that JRTs are also stubborn, you will want a name that you can repeat over and over without exhaustion. 

For instance, calling your dog a long name such as Cappuccino might sound interesting at first but will be difficult for the dog to grasp and exhausting for you to repeat over and over. In most cases, you might find yourself shortening the name, yet the dog hasn’t learned the shortened form.

To avoid this problem, it is advisable to give your dog a shorter name with only two syllables, such as Pip. It will be easier for the dog to learn, and you can repeat it a bunch of times without shortening it. 

Go for a Name That Ends With a Vowel Sound 

JRTs can distinguish sound frequency ranges better than humans. Typically, this makes names that end with a vowel sound capture the dog’s attention much faster. 

Additionally, the tone of calling a dog with a name that ends with a vowel sounds more natural than one ending with a consonant sound. 

Avoid Dog Names That Have Negative Connotations 

Even if JRTs are not intelligent like humans and might not understand the real meaning of the name you give them, it is not advisable to give your dog a name that has a negative connotation.

Usually, such names cause different interpretations from different people. For instance, some people will think the name of the dog is related to its personality traits and will view your dog as bad-mannered. 

On the other hand, some people believe the name you give your dog reflects your personality or past experience. You can prevent this misinterpretation by giving your dog a neutral name or a name with a positive connotation, such as Milo.

Pick a Different Name From the Name of Your Other Pets 

Even if you love a certain name, giving two or more pets the same name will lead to confusion. For instance, giving your cat and your JRT the same name will make both of them come whenever you call out the name. 

Considering that JRTs are territorial and aggressive, this can be a recipe for aggression and possible fights that can lead to injuries. However, you can’t prevent your neighbors from giving their pets the same name as your JRT. 

Choose a Name That Can’t Be Confused With the Commands 

Keeping in mind that there are no fixed commands to teach your dog, you need to consider the commands you want to teach and then choose a dog name that can’t be confused with the commands. 

Otherwise, the dog might think you’re calling it when you are giving a command or think you’re giving a command when you’re just calling it to come to you. 

For instance, if you name your dog Calm and then teach it the Calm command, it will be confused about whether to calm and sit or come to you whenever you tell it Calm. 

Consider the Personality of Your Dog

One of the best ways to name your JRT is to relate its name with its personality traits, physical appearance attributes, and gender. For instance, you can name your dog Sonic or Swift if it has a strong hunting instinct and loves chasing prey. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Teach a JRT Its Name?

The best way to teach a JRT its name is to pick a name and then stick to it. Since most dogs will have a name while in the animal shelter or breeder, consider changing the name immediately after adopting the dog. However, you will need to be careful not to choose a name you will hate later. 

Can I Change My Adult Jack Russell Terrier’s Name? 

Yes, it is possible to change the name of your adult JRT. The best time to do it is when the dog is attentive to you without exhaustion, overexcitement, or distractions. It is advisable to use positive reinforcement methods such as having a bag of treats when teaching.

Final Thoughts

Giving your JRT a specific name helps you interact and command your dog even in the midst of other dogs and pets. Although the best names for a Jack Russell terrier depend on individual preferences, it’s advisable to give your dog a name based on its personality and physical attributes.