TWO hundred and 20 pounds is a lot of money for most people, certainly for me. It is a lot to spend on a dog. But it is hard to overstate how much value for money our Jack Russell Esme has been.

Since we got her last year, she has brought so much to our family: fun, exercise, companionship and an excuse to get out and about.

Walking her in the countryside has been a great experience. When we bought her, the usual reaction was along one of two lines: either, "take a spade with you," or "Jack Russells are very aggressive, aren't they?"

Well, speak as I find, she has been neither. Esme loves chasing things, especially rabbits and hares, but she sniffs at holes but has yet to venture down them, let along get stuck.

As for aggression, her growls and barking at other dogs are confined to a safe position roughly 12 inches behind my Wellington boots. She has yet to catch, let alone kill, anything.

She was the runt of the litter which may explain a certain passivity. Also, we took her dog training for several months and her canine classmates were made up of large Alsations and Labradors. It must have taught her not to get above her station.

Most other dogs we encounter seem to like her; some a lot. You know when Esme is really happy to see other dogs because she runs at high speed in 20-yard figures of eight within inches of your legs.

Of course, we think she is beautiful. Recently a dog show was held at the hunt kennels in Droxford. We took her along and confidently entered her in the best terrier class. Surely the judge would be seduced by her, especially when she licked his face. She came third. Out of four.

The judge preferred the more rugged muscular working dog-type than our lovely soft-faced wuss.