How do Jack Russell Terriers hunt Foxes?

Can they do it alone? Do they need their owner to tell them what to do? Details please!

The Jack Russell Terrier was developed to BOLT foxes.A traditional foxhunt engages Foxhounds to trail and chase the fox, and horses for the hunters to ride. Because the chase stops if the fox "goes to ground" by hiding in its den or burrow, terriers were used to "bolt" the fox or scare it back up to the surface so that the hunt could continue (in the rare event the purpose of the fox hunt was actually to kill the fox and/or if the fox resisted being bolted, the terrier would kill the fox underground).The dog does not take specific directions from the handler other than general manners and safety near the hounds and horses during the rest of the hunt - it naturally chases the fox down into its den and does what it needs to to either kill it or drive it back up for the hounds to chase some more.They *can* do it alone, but it is a dangerous job - many a terrier has died in a fox den. Earthdog trials simulate a terrier's traditional job (terriers were also supposed to kill vermin in the stable, and rats or other rodents are usually used as the "bait" in a secure cage where the dog can't actually harm them).Before engaging in any hunting activity with your dog you need to make sure that:(1) It is legal in your area. For example: in most states, you can't hunt deer with dogs, and most game animals have a strict season when they can be hunted.(2) You follow safety guidelines for you and your dog to the best of your ability - you don't carry a gun you don't know how to use, you don't go into bear country without a gun, your dog is trained/conditioned/bred/tested so that you are sure they can do the job safely.(3) You are prepared to humanely dispose of animals that the dog catches but does not kill and you are practicing ethical hunting by only killing animals that you will use or who threaten your livelihood, domestic animals, or crops.

The JRT is bred to have the courage to follow a fox to ground and stay with it until the quarry bolts, is dug to, or the dog is called out; they are intended to bay (bark) at their quarry, not to kill. Many a Jack Russell has been known to stay in an active earth for days, even weeks, without food or water because of the strong instinct bred into them to stay with their quarry. The Jack Russell must also be totally flexible, allowing him to maneuver underground. This conformation allows the terrier to follow his quarry down narrow earths. The fox is a good model for the Jack Russell - where the fox can go, so must the terrier. Although originally bred for fox hunting, the Jack Russell is a versatile working terrier to a variety of quarry including red and grey fox, raccoon and woodchuck.