Is Wānaka's Jack Russell Race truly a Jack Russell race, or a race for imposters?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

From reporter Olivia Caldwell:

When is a jack russell terrier not a jack russell terrier?

As far as the 24-year-old Jack Russell Race at the Wānaka A&P Show, anything goes, but there is controversy around the size of one magnificent beast, Harry.

“We don’t have any rules,” says show event manager Jane Stalker.

That’s not far off the truth. Richard Burdon, event judge and son of Jerry and Lesley Burdon, who created the race, says the only regulation is if the dog passes the “does it look like a jack russell?” test.

“It is still one of the highlights of the show. It has very limited rules, and we still have a lot of fun, and it’s all done in the best spirit.

“We have a few imposters every year, but we don't place them.”

The race, held this year on March 11, sees the terriers chase a dead rabbit towed by a horse around an oval field. The first dog to reach the rabbit, wins.

Harry, a 13-year-old jack russell fox terrier from Cromwell, has been winning the race since he started as a 1-year-old. He has six titles to his name, in seven starts.

“The one year that he didn't get it, the little dogs cut across and were chasing the horse and not the rabbit,” says owner Samara Buchanan.

Harry, whose mother was a fox terrier and father was a jack russell, has front legs likened to a greyhound.

”He’s more taken to the foxy side I think,” says Buchanan.

He is a big jack russell, but is still within the rules, she says.

”It’s a terrier race.

“There are fluffy ones, there’s everything in there.”

Friend of the race, Dominic Morrogh Bernard, has lived in Scotland for the past 30 years and says the races, born out of the United Kingdom, are popular back home.

It is not uncommon for mixed terriers to race in Scotland, and Wānaka’s loose rules were true to tradition, he says.

”I would start with terriers, but you can have mixed breeds and all sorts back in the UK.”

While there were whisperings about the size of Harry, Buchanan says she has never had a complaint that her dog is bigger than the other dogs.

Harry has a nemesis, Stella.

“The wee black and white one isn’t much smaller than him to be fair,” Buchanan says.

Stella is a jack russell crossed with a chihuahua, making her a speedy wee thing.

Stella’s owner Daniel Bogue is also aware of Harry.

“We’ve gone up against him quite a few times. In fact, the two or three years he hasn’t entered, we won.

“It is a real big dog for a jack russell. I have no qualms with it, it is a race and may the best dog win.”

Stalker says show organisers aren’t looking at changing the rules to make the race for only purebred jack russell terriers.

They ask owners to use their judgement of what qualifies as a jack russell.

“There are times we thought should we put rules around it, but it has taken a life of its own.”

No official complaints had been made, she says.

Stalker says the race is probably not well-named.

“It is probably a bit of tongue in cheek.

“You will get told to leave if you bring something that doesn't look like a jack russell terrier.”

Stalker says she knows of Harry.

“He is a bit big.”

While the race is fun by nature, there is dog roll and dog nuts on the line for the proud dog owners.

To prepare for the race Harry eats dog nuts, rabbits at times and walks regularly.

Buchanan says his last race was 2021, but he has come out of retirement before.

”Lots of people are trying to get me to bring him up, but I think it is time to hand the reins over to someone else.”

For Stella’s sake, let’s hope so.