Jack russell's in the winter...

Like all terriers, the Jack Russell isn't well suited to live in confined quarters.

As for the winter you could try a doggy sweater or something. Also make sure he has insulated shelter like maybe an insulated doghouse or something.

Lots of folks keep these dogs outdoors, in winter. They are tough as nails, and tend to do fine. Mine has some health issues, and is a total house dog. She is cold and heat intolerant. She wears fleeces in the winter, and gets cooling beds in summer. She has a super dense undercoat, and is a broken coated dog. She is very well coated.

I've never had a problem with mine being crated. Emma was crated until a couple of months ago (when she realized that... hey, I can open ANY door!). At four years old, she's finally old enough to handle the responsibility of being loose in the house. 

TW is actually pretty good being in a kennel while I'm at work.  But then I also have horses and used to take him to the barn with me to run around and act like an idiot until I moved my horses to a place that didn't allow me to bring him with.  Now we do frequent visits ot the dog park and long walks.  But I feel guilty leaving them in a kennel so much which is why I want to start keeping him outside.  I didn't think about making sure the dog house was insulated... I'll keep my eye out for one!

 So should look into getting a doggie sweater for him for the winter?

A sweater is fine while he's supervised. When he's no supervised, though, he could get tangled and hurt himself.  I don't even leave a collar on mine, when I'm not home.

Short training sessions also help, a lot, with tiring them out. 

Hehe!  Yes they do!  He actually starts formal obedience training next week so he should get even better.  He is actually pretty well behaved... as long as things don't get really quiet... he's exactly what I imagine kids to be like.

 I actually never thought about the collar.  I'm always afraid about the "what if he gets loose", but I guess if he does get loose he is microchiped.  Weather permitting I'm hoping to leave them outside during the day while I'm at work, then inside when I get home.  I just don't trust him in the house by himself yet... he is still in the puppy chewing stage.

I have two jacks and they go through lots of snow in the winter. I don't know where you live but I would not leave them outside when there is a lot snow.

Perhaps you need to have someone someone go by and let the dogs out while you are at  work?

A rough coat, broken coat jack can endure a little more cold than a smooth coat one however, IMHO, all small dogs should stay indoors during the white stuff season. 

Thanks for the input!  Fortunately I don't work that far from home so its not a huge deal for me to go home during the day, plus I have 2 roommates that like to give loves on the puppies so he can get breaks during the day.  I've just found that outside time does wonders on his energy level.  But if winters aren't good for theses little guys then he'll stay inside.  The winters aren't horrible here, but they aren't warm and fuzzy either.  I think he woudl be considered a smooth coat.  I've never quite understood what a broken coat jack looked like. 

Broken coats have a short, tight undercoat, and longer, wiry guard hairs. Emma has a weird broken coat. It's not the right texture, and I overgroom it, so she generally looks smooth coated to someone who isn't *looking* for guard hairs.