Parson Russell Terriers are happy, intelligent, curious, fun loving, social dogs. Descended from white fox terriers, the Parson Russell Terrier was first bred in England in the mid 1800's for hunting fox. Parson Russell Terriers are named for Parson John Russell, a British clergyman and renowned huntsman who helped to develop the breed. The original breed standard was drafted in 1904 and the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club was founded in 1914. The Jack Russell Terrier Association of America was founded in 1985. The breed was accepted into the AKC Terrier Group on April 2000. In 2003 the name of the breed was changed from Jack Russell Terrier to Parson Russell Terrier and The Jack Russell Terrier Association of America became the Parson Russell Terrier Association of America.
Parson Russell coat colors are predominately white with black, brown or tan markings or a combination of these colors, including tri-color. Color markings should preferably be only on the head or tail. Height should be 13 to 14 inches at the withers, and weight between 13 and 17 pounds.
The breed’s dense weatherproof coat can be either smooth or broken (rough, wire-haired). Smooth coats shed more than rough coats. The smooth coat needs minimal grooming... just an occasional brushing. Dogs with a broken coat should be brushed weekly and may need to be trimmed every few months.
Parson Russells are friendly, gentle, affectionate family pets. These dogs thrive on attention and love to play. They are good with kids, although they may not tolerate rough handling by young children. If well socialized, they'll get along with other dogs. Because of their hunting instinct, they may be aggressive towards small animals, including cats.
These athletic canines excel in Obedience, Agility and Earthdog events. They are sturdy, generally healthy dogs with a life expectancy of about 15 years. The breed is prone to several genetic eye and joint diseases. Parson Russell Terriers used for breeding should always have OFA and CERF certifications.
Parson Russells adapt well to any environment, but unless you have a large securely fenced area where the dogs can run and play, they will need brisk walks several times a day. They are active, tireless dogs. They can jump 5 times their height! The clever little escape artists will climb, jump over or dig under a fence. To prevent escape, a fence must be at least 5 to 6 feet high. The bottom of the fence must also be buried deep enough to prevent the dog from digging his way out under it.
If you're thinking about adding a Parson Russell Terrier to your family, learn all you can about the breed. They can be wonderful companions and great family pets for the right owners, but they are not the right dog for everyone. Young Parson Russells are often relinquished to animal shelters simply because inexperienced owners were fooled by their cuteness and small size. This energetic little terrier is often described as a big dog in a little package. They are strong willed, mischievous, very high energy dogs that need abundant exercise and mental stimulation. When they are bored and alone, expect problem behaviors such as destructive chewing and obsessive barking. Early socialization, obedience training and firm, consistent reinforcement are essential.
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More about the Parson Russell Terrier...
Parson Russell Terrier Rescue
| PRTAA Rescue | Pacific Northwest Jack Russell Terrier Network |
The Parson and Jack Russell Terriers Written by professional pet writers who are experts on the breed, this book contains breed-specific information, an extensive health chapter, reviewed and approved by a respected veterinarian, chapters on feeding, grooming, beginner and advanced training, plus accompanying photographs, sidebars and tip boxes. It comes with a bonus DVD featuring socialization, safety, and training advice from a professional dog trainer and detailed information from a veterinarian on what happens at the vet and how to perform regular home health checks. |
Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog... and Your Life Cesar Millan’s guide for taking your relationship with your dog to a higher level helps you develop the skills necessary to become the calm-assertive owner your dog needs in order for him to live a balanced, fulfilled life. It covers the truth about behavioral tools, from leashes and harnesses to clickers and e-collars; how to satisfy the needs of your dog’s breed; success stories from Cesar’s clients, viewers, and fans—including the Grogan family of Marley & Me fame, plus a quick reference guide of specific, step-by-step procedures to tackling some of the most common dog behavior problems. |
Top two photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
