California Terrier Club Loses Court Battle

A group of Jack Russell terrier owners from Northern California has tried to take on some big dogs in the national canine community, and lost. A federal judge ruled against the group Friday and said that the national 10 thousand member Jack Russell Terrier Club of America could refuse to register some pups.

The ruling came as a blow to the Jack Russell Terrier Network of Northern California which had broken with the national group but still wanted to register its dogs as Jack Russells. The Northern California network sued the national outfit in 1998, accusing it of having policies that blacklisted legitimate dog owners. They alleged that they lost their registration with the national organization simply by affiliating with other dog clubs, including the American Kennel Club. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America argued in court that its policies were designed to protect the breed´s bloodlines.