Can Jack Russells Kill Snakes? Explained

Terriers have been specifically designed for hunting smaller animals such as rats and mice. Also, they can hunt any small creatures. This makes them ideal snake killers, as hunting and killing tiny moving creatures is in their DNA.

So, can Jack Russells kill snakes? Yes, Jack Russells Terriers can kill snakes because of their protective and hunting nature. Only dogs with the highest developed sense of smell, such as Retrievers, Bloodhounds, Bassets, JRTs, and Beagles, can smell snakes.

So, do they instinctively recognize snakes as harmful and strive to avoid them? No, most dog breeds are unable to detect reptiles. Dogs appear to understand that the rattlesnake’s sound is something to be afraid of.

In this article, you will be able to know whether Jack Russell Terriers are able to kill snakes or not in more detail. Then you will learn about would Jack Russell Terriers go after snakes? And finally, you will get some knowledge on Jack Russell and snakes.

So are you ready to learn? Here we go!

Do Jack Russell Terriers kill snakes?

Snakes may be attracted to dog excrement! And rodents are prey for snakes. Also, rodents are drawn to messes and other animals’ feces.

This implies that your dog’s feces may attract mice and rats, resulting in snakes in your yard. Snakes will be present on your land as long as there are rodents.

Dogs can kill snakes, and it’s not uncommon to see people using dogs to keep snakes off their property.

There are no canine breeds that have been exceptionally bred to kill snakes throughout time. However, certain breeds are more likely to hunt and kill reptiles than others like Jack Russell Terriers.

Would a Jack Russell kill a snake?

Yes, a Jack Russell can kill a snake. The way JRTs have been bred, and their physical characteristics make them ideal snake killers.

Terriers are developed to hunt subterranean creatures. The term “terrier” comes from the Latin word “terra,” which means “earth.”

It’s significant since terrier dogs were first trained and later developed to hunt for subterranean creatures. They may excavate tunnels and holes in the ground to force or pull rats and snakes out of their hiding places.

Jack Russell Terriers are brave and have limitless energy. JRTs are tiny and energetic, allowing them to rapidly identify a snake, chase it down, and rip up the ground to get to it if the snake goes to the floor.

They’re also noted for being fearless and needing little encouragement to pursue their prey. 

Based on their lineage, you can imagine how well they would hunt and kill snakes! This makes them ideal as snake-killing dogs, or at the very least, like a dog who is most likely to desire to hunt and kill a snake.

Do Jack Russell Terriers go after snakes?

The absence of fear in dogs may explain why they are so vulnerable to life-threatening snake bites. Snakes are considered to make roughly half of us nervous, and 3-4 percent of the population is Ophidiophobic—that is, they are terrified of snakes.

The majority of snakes are unlikely to approach canines. They’re larger, louder, and more of a pain to deal with than a tasty nibble.

You can probably keep snakes away just by having your dog nearby. To begin, teach your dog to distinguish snakes’ fragrance and tell you when they detect it.

A Jack Russell will react to an aggressive snake in the same manner as an aggressive dog would, chasing it to its caves and digging to trap it if necessary.

A deadly snake has claimed the lives of several Jack Russell Terriers. It is never a good idea to leave your dog alone in an area where it can come across such an animal. 

It’s advisable to stay away from all snakes if at all feasible. Although a Jack Russell can readily kill deadly and non-poisonous snakes, non-poisonous snakes can still be dangerous.

Some non-poisonous snakes have long, hooked fangs and will bite your dog as a kind of self-defense.

If the bites get infected, there is no way to cure them on the surface because the infection isn’t near the puncture area. Infected wounds can lead to life-threatening blood poisoning or painful and costly surgery. It’s preferable to stay away from snakes entirely.

Jack Russell Vs Snakes 

Snakes aren’t deserving of their bad reputation. They’re nothing more than wild beasts. They are terrified of you, but they’re terrified of your dog. She emphasizes that most snakes will not attack you or your dog unless provoked.

Is it possible for a dog to survive a snake bite? If a snake bite is treated quickly, almost 80% of dogs will survive. Dogs are less likely to recover if they are not treated.

Give your pet 1 mg of Benadryl or the generic equivalent per pound of body weight. A 25-pound dog, for example, would receive 25mg of Benadryl, which is one adult pill.

If your veterinarian has prescribed pain medicine, give it to your dog as advised. Aspirin should not be shown since it can exacerbate the effects of some venoms.

The way a dog kills snakes appears to be passed on through the generations. The impulse to continuously shake a snake forcefully destroys its neurological system by hurting the snake’s fragile spine that runs the length of its body.

The snake is unable to strike the dog as a result of this. The dog is put in danger while attempting to catch the snake. Before trying to kill the snake, a good snake-killing dog will wait for the right moment. Interesting right?

Final thoughts about Jack Russells and Snakes

Individual members of almost every dog breed are capable of killing snakes. Although a Jack Russell can readily kill deadly and non-poisonous snakes. However, non-poisonous snakes can still be dangerous. So be aware!

I hope you got some knowledge while enjoying this article ‘Can Jack Russell kill a snake?’

Thank you for reading this post. Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about your favorite dog breed. Cheers from Shaggy and Lenny!