I have always Shepherds because they are so smart, and almost like having another person in the house. I used to talk to mine like they were my kids, and they followed my hand commands.

The Jack Russell I have may be a mix with Fox Terrier, although the vet says he's likely pure bred. He is a little bigger then most I've seen, but he definitley has the temperament of a "normal" JR. They ARE hyper, great protectors, and very, very smart. This one is 8 yrs old now, and he can still learn new tricks.

They need their daily exercise, but he knows how to make fun for himself too. If I give him his ball, he will race around the yard throwing it up in the air for himself. In the past, we had a routine of a daily "play-time" of about 15 min in the morning and evening, and that was very satisfactory to him. Since we moved to a house with a bigger deck/yard, I can just sit at the top and throw or kick the ball 5 - 10 times every time I am out on the deck, and that is just fine by him too.

He isn't naughty like my shepherds, and never wrecks anything if things don't go his way. In the Winter, he is quite content with very little to no exercise, but likes to be pet more then. He's the easiest dog I've every had, actually.

Good luck on Monday.

Cherie