Breed At A Glance

Classification
Terrier

Personality
Bold, fearless, extremely energetic and playful

Life Expectancy
13-15+ years

Average Height
12-15 inches

Average Weight
14-18 lbs

Coat Color
White, white with black or tan markings, and tricolor

Coat Length/Texture
Three varieties: Smooth, broken, and wire-haired

Shedding Propensity
Consistent year-round

Parson Russell Terrier

This breed is not yet identified by the Canine Heritage XL Breed Test. The laboratory is still perfecting the genetic marker technology for this breed and the exact release date is unknown.

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General Temperament
The Parson Russell Terrier (PRT) is very much like the Jack Russell Terrier in terms of spirit and temperament, as they are in some circles considered the same breed (see “History” below). Courageous and energetic, the Parson Russell Terrier is well-known for it’s playful nature. They are a curious, amusing and amazingly confident breed. The PRT is devoted to it’s owners and territory, and will bark vigorously to warn of approaching visitors. This breed maintains it’s original hunting nature, and is usually a strong contender in earthdog trials as well as obedience, agility, and show conformation.

Parson Russells are often excellent companions for active children, as long as kids are taught to not tease or hit the dog. They do not enjoy being handled roughly, so they are not recommended for households with very young children.

In the United States, the Parson Russell Terrier is bred more as a companion and show pet compared to it’s Jack Russell brethren, which has been bred based more on maintaining the dog’s natural instincts. Therefore, Parson Russells are not known to have the “Napoleon Complex” to the same degree as the Jack Russell, and as such do not have the same level of dog aggression. This breed can do well with cats that they are raised with, although they should not be trusted with smaller rodent pets such as hamsters or guinea pigs.

Parson Russell Terriers love to dig and explore. Due to their high level of energy, they will generally be happiest in a house with at least a small yard, although if sufficiently exercised, they can function well in an apartment. In addition to it’s love of jumping and digging, the Parson Russell Terrier is also an excellent climber; therefore any enclosure in which the dog is allowed to run free should have a tall fence and that is also buried deeply into the ground. They will get bored and destructive if not given enough activity, and as such are not well-suited for a sedentary household.

Training a Parson Russell Terrier can be a bit more difficult that some other breeds, despite the fact that they are very intelligent and love their owners. They simply have a mind of their own and don’t always feel like following instructions. The most symbiotic relationship will be with an owner who has a personality similar to the dog, who can be in control for the dog’s life in it’s entirety.

Breed History
The name “Parson Russell Terrier” is an homage to the Reverend John Russell, an English parson born in 1795. In the first half of the 19th century, Russell purchased a small white and tan Terrier from the local milk man. He used this dog as the foundation for a line of Terriers that were highly energetic and courageous in the sport of fox hunting without the aggression that would serve to the harm the game. These dogs were lower to the ground than the standard Fox Terriers at the time and could be easily handled with average-sized hands and human power while on the hunt. Although it is unlikely that any of the dogs currently referred to as Parson Russell Terriers (or PRTs) can be linked back to Parson Russell’s original Terriers, his principles serve as the standard for modern PRT’s in general appearance and, more importantly, functionality.

Parson Russell Terrier vs. Jack Russell Terrier vs. Russell Terrier:

A series of changes to the breed status has confused and confounded dog enthusiasts for the past few years. This appears to be an issue largely of ideology. Historically, breed registries throughout the world recognized the Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) as the lower and longer version of the dog, while the taller and more squared version was known as the Parson Russell Terrier. In 2000, the Jack Russell Terrier was approved for registration by the American Kennel Club without the support of the breed’s largest registry club, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA, established in 1976). Shortly thereafter, registrations of the Parson Russell Terrier were accepted by the AKC, but this time with the support of it’s parent club, the Parson Russell Terrier Association of America.

The JRTCA soon petitioned the AKC to have the Jack Russell removed from their registry, due to a significant conflict in breeding philosophy between the two organizations. Essentially, the JRTCA is strongly opposed to kennel club registrations in general, as they believe this leads to creating dogs that conform to a certain physical standard without regard to the breed’s natural working ability (i.e. the promotion of “show” types over “field” types), subsequently jeopardizing the overall health of the breed in the process. The AKC responded by combining the Jack Russell and Parson Russell as the same breed in 2003.

The “Russell Terrier” is considered a separate breed by the AKC, and is currently a part of their Foundation Stock Service. This breed was derived from the Parson/Jack Russell Terrier, but began to be differentiated in Australia in the 1960’s. The Russell Terrier is, in essence, a shorter version of the breed, reaching a maximum of 12 inches tall.

Body Structure and Composition
As defined by many kennel and breed clubs (with the exception of the American Kennel Club), the major difference between the Parson Russell Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier is that of height. The Parson Russell is generally known as the longer-legged and taller body type, with a back that is equal in length to the dog’s height. This gives the Parson Russell a more squared appearance than the Jack Russell. The muzzle should be slightly shorter than the length of the skull, although this breed is not considered brachycephalic (“snub-nosed”). The muscular neck leads down to a straight back. The tail is docked in the U.S. for show purposes so that the tip is at the equal level to the skull when the dog is at attention (docking has been banned in many other countries). The coat can be smooth or broken.

Medical Information
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP) affects some Parson Russell Terrier lines. LCP results when the blood supply to the head of the femur is interrupted, resulting in the death of the bone cells. This condition often repairs itself in time, but can lead to stiffness in pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Hip and Elbow Dysplasia can also be problems for this breed. These conditions occur when the head of the bone no longer fits into the cup provided by the socket, causing lameness and arthritis-like symptoms. Patellar Luxation (or “slipped stifle”) is another skeletal condition sometimes experienced by the Parson Russell Terrier, and occurs when the knee-like joint above the hock slips out of place, often requiring surgery. The OFA also reports that a significant number of Parson Russells develop Hypothyroidism, which causes an underactivity of the thyroid gland leading to decreased appetite or weight gain, hair loss, recurring skin infections, and lethargy. Reputable breeders will have their breeding stock certified by the OFA prior to producing a litter in order to minimize the spread of these diseases.

Congenital deafness is also a significant problem for the Parson Russell Terrier. The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test is available to puppies over 5 weeks of age, and responsible breeders should have this test performed on all puppies that are to be sold.

Some Parson Russell Terriers are prone to various eye diseases or malformations. Certification is available from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) on both breeding stock and puppies, and should be renewed every year.

Both coat types of the Parson Russell Terrier are easy to care for: a simple periodic brushing will do the trick. Dogs that are to be shown should be hand-stripped (i.e. dead or loose hairs should be pulled out individually by a professional groomer).

Anecdotal Information
Coming Soon