shorty jacks

Question
What is the difference in a Shorty vs a Regular Jack..personality wise? Are they has energetic? Do they get along well with cats and other small dogs? I know enough to examine any breeder and to be certain that they are interested in breeding for all the right reasons, I just want your opinion on the breed as a companion animal. There are so many bad experiences reported with jack russells...what about shorties?
Thank you for your reply!

Answer
Hello Terri,
At first I almost thought this was a trick question...... because I am a breeder of the SHORTYS. I may be biased but I will tell you my honest opinion and the facts as I know them.
The shorty jack is the ORIGINAL "jack" russell that came from Europe.
That is why you will see them called English or Irish or Shortys. They are smaller in stature, a little longer in body and terrific dogs. The Rev.John(Jack) Parsons bred a shorty with a fox terrier and came up with his own breed of dog which became known as a Jack Russell Terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier (NOW called a PARSONS!)is a long legged, fast, excellent athlete with an enormous drive to HUNT!
These are the "crazy" "off the wall" "terrors" that we all hear about. Hunting is in their genes and that is what they do best.
The SHORTYS (ORIGINALS), on the other hand, were farm dogs that mingled well within a family type setting on the farm. Their temperament is much calmer and less hunt-instinctive than the Parsons.
(There is no Fox Terrier in the blood line of the shorty). The terminology revolving around the breed "Jack Russell" has been sliced and diced and changed and re-changed. America and the JRTCA has adopted the Parsons as the "standard" for a Jack Russell but those of us who are educated in the past, realize that this is not the original Jack. Confused yet?
So, to answer your question, the Shorty is definitely the better choice if you are looking for a companion dog who is extremely loyal, very family oriented, much more social, calmer temperament, easily trainable, eager to please and absolutely ADORABLE.
I own four of them. :)
The Parsons (tall) is a great dog if you are looking for a top notch athlete, with an abundance of energy, a performer, hunter. They need strong discipline, training and attention.
I hope this information helped. If you want to see my own shorty jacks, take a look at my website at www.carolsjacks.com
BEST OF LUCK!!!!