Rescue Jack Russells for adoption and rehoming in Scotland
There is 1 Jack Russell looking for a new home in Scotland right now, listed by Dogs Trust. Jack Russells here are Jack Russell and Parson Russell Terriers, including crosses.
Each profile links to the rescue, who will talk you through their adoption process and fee.
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Email alerts are coming soon. Until then, new animals appear on this page as soon as rescues list them, so please check back.
About Jack Russells
| Breed group | Terrier |
|---|---|
| Size | Small |
| Exercise | Up to 1 hour a day |
| Grooming | Once a week |
| Coat | Short (sheds) |
| Lifespan | Over 10 years (Parson Russell: over 12 years) |
What Jack Russells are like to live with
The Royal Kennel Club calls the Jack Russell Terrier a "modern descendent of the hardy terriers developed by the Rev John Russell". Its roots are in the working terriers of the British Isles, and The Royal Kennel Club says it is hoped the breed "will remain essentially a working Terrier both in type and temperament".
That is the breed on paper. A rescue Jack Russell is an individual and may be a cross. The rescue knows how this dog behaves at home, on the lead and with visitors, so ask them.
Size and exercise
The Royal Kennel Club lists the Jack Russell as small and needing up to an hour of exercise a day. It says a flat can be big enough, with a small or medium garden, and lists the breed as best suited to the country. The Parson Russell has the same exercise listing, with a small house and either town or country.
Grooming
Both breeds have a short coat that sheds and needs grooming about once a week.
Health
The Royal Kennel Club asks Jack Russell and Parson Russell breeders to have eyes tested and to DNA test for primary lens luxation (PLL), an eye condition, and for late onset ataxia (LOA) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). It lists the Jack Russell's lifespan as over 10 years and the Parson Russell's as over 12 years.
A rescue dog's parents may not have been health tested, so ask the rescue what vet checks the dog has had and whether any condition is known. Your own vet is the right person to advise on anything you notice later.
Children, cats and other dogs
Whether a particular Jack Russell can live with children, cats or other dogs depends on the dog, not the breed. Go by the rescue's own assessment, which is often noted on the profile.
Jack Russell or Parson Russell?
They are two separate breeds, both named after the Reverend John Russell. The Parson Russell Terrier was recognised in 1990 as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier and renamed in 1999 to tell the two breeds apart. The Jack Russell Terrier was officially recognised by The Royal Kennel Club (then The Kennel Club) in 2016.
Rescues often just write "Jack Russell", so this page includes both breeds and their crosses.
Sources (checked 29 September 2026)
Breed descriptions are general. Every rescue animal is an individual, so the rescue's own assessment of the animal comes first.
Jack Russells in Scotland: your questions
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How many rescue Jack Russells are available for adoption in Scotland?
As of 30 September 2026, 1 Jack Russell is listed for adoption in Scotland on LocalPetFinder, from Dogs Trust. Each profile links to the rescue, and you apply to adopt with them directly.
Are there Jack Russell puppies for adoption in Scotland?
Not right now: none of the 1 listed in Scotland is under a year old by its listed age. Puppies do get listed, so check back or look at the adults, whose rescues can tell you much more about their character.
What is the difference between a Jack Russell and a Parson Russell?
They are separate breeds. The Royal Kennel Club recognised the Parson Russell Terrier in 1990 and changed its name in 1999 to tell it apart from the Jack Russell, which it recognised in 2016. UK Jack Russell breeders kept a type similar to the Parson Russell in proportion, but in a smaller frame.
How much does it cost to adopt a Jack Russell in Scotland?
Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Battersea charges £230 for a dog over six months and £275 for a puppy under six months, Dogs Trust charges £300 for a puppy or adult dog in England, Wales and Scotland, and Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over and £335 for dogs aged 1 to 7. The fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and each rescue confirms its own fee.
Are there Jack Russells for sale in Scotland?
No. We don't list animals for sale. Every Jack Russell on this page is with a rescue or rehoming centre, and rescues rehome animals rather than selling them, usually for an adoption fee: for example, Battersea charges £230 for a dog over six months and Dogs Trust £300. The fee usually goes towards vet work already done, such as neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations. In Scotland, Lucy's Law has banned the third-party sale of puppies under six months since 1 September 2021.
Can I get a free Jack Russell in Scotland, or one under £500?
Usually not. UK rescues normally ask for an adoption fee, which pays towards neutering, microchipping and vaccinations. Many rescue fees are under £500: Battersea charges £230 for a dog over six months, Dogs Trust £300, and Blue Cross from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over. An animal offered "free to good home" is usually a private advert rather than a rescue. All dogs in the UK must be microchipped by 8 weeks old, and in England, Wales and Scotland a dog can't pass to a new keeper until it is chipped, so ask to see the microchip details.
Is there a Jack Russell rescue near me in Scotland?
This page lists every Jack Russell with the rescues we list in Scotland and the places within it. Email alerts for new listings are coming soon.
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