Parson Russell TerrierCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says that for a long time there was great dispute among breeders over a terrier vaguely called the “Jack Russell”. The Kennel Club received many applications from lovers of a line of Fox Terriers bred by a Victorian hunting parson, the Reverend John Russell. In the end, this sturdy working terrier was recognised under the name Parson Russell Terrier.

Wikipedia says that in 1819 the Reverend Russell bought a white-and-tan terrier bitch called Trump from a milkman, and she became the start of his breeding. The breed was recognised in Britain in 1990 as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier and shares its history with the Jack Russell Terrier.

How the breed developed

• 1819 – The Reverend John Russell buys the bitch Trump.
• 1850s – His dogs are recognised as a distinct type of Fox Terrier.
• 1990 – The Kennel Club recognises the breed as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier.
• 1999 – The name becomes Parson Russell Terrier.
• 4 June 2001 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as workmanlike, active and agile, without exaggeration, built for endurance, balanced and flexible. “Honourable” scars are permitted. As it was bred for foxes, it must be possible to span it behind the shoulders with the hands of an average person.

General appearance

The head is wedge-shaped, with a flat skull and a black nose. The coat, whether smooth or rough or “broken”, is hard, flat, straight, close and dense, with a good undercoat, and weatherproof. The AKC says it looks like a soft toy, but it is a tough dog.

The colour is white or predominantly white, with tan, lemon or black markings, or any combination of these. Preferably, the colour is confined to the head and the root of the tail.

The AKC says training calls for consistency, a gentle voice and a good sense of humour. It is clever, energetic and cheerful and gets bored easily, so sessions must be fun and interesting. Positive methods, with praise and rewards, give the best results.

It has a strong hunting instinct, so the AKC recommends keeping it on the lead on walks rather than letting it run free.

Tips for effective training

• Keep your sense of humour. The AKC says you will need it.
• Keep sessions fun. It gets bored easily.
• Keep it on a lead. Its hunting instinct is strong.
• Use praise and rewards. They give the best results.

The AKC says it is a playful, affectionate and cheerful companion with a great zest for life, always ready for action. It is a very energetic terrier that needs plenty of exercise and mental activity.

Tips for a balanced life

• It suits very active people.
• The fence must be sunk into the ground and high.
• Do not leave it unsupervised with small animals.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says there are two coat types: smooth and “broken” (rough). Both are brushed regularly, the smooth one with a bristle brush or a grooming mitt and the rough one with a pin or slicker brush; the rough coat must also be stripped. A bath once a month is enough, unless it gets dirty from digging.

Common health problems

The AKC says most Parsons are very healthy, and responsible breeders screen them for:

Other care

• Ask for the parents' test results.
• Trim the nails regularly.
• Brush its teeth often.

The AKC says some dogs gain weight easily, so calories and weight should be watched.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Give it its food in two meals a day.
• Treats count towards the daily portion.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Named after a parson. The Reverend John Russell was a keen huntsman.
• Trump, the first bitch. Bought from a milkman in 1819.
• “Honourable” scars. The standard permits hunting scars.
• Measured with the hands. It must be possible to span it with two hands behind the shoulders.
• Related to the Jack Russell. They shared a history until the 1980s.

How does it differ from the Jack Russell?

The Parson Russell has longer legs and is slightly taller; they are separate breeds.

How big does it get?

Males ideally measure 36 cm, females 33 cm; the AKC gives 6–7.5 kg.

Is it suited to an apartment?

Only if it gets a great deal of exercise every day.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives 13–15 years.