Parson Russell Terrier -
Purebred Dogs and Puppies

A member of the AKC Terrier group, The Parson Russell Terrier was developed in the south of England in the 1800s as a white terrier to work European red fox both above and below ground. The terrier was named for the Reverend John Russell, whose terriers trailed hounds and bolted foxes from dens so the hunt could ride on.

To function as a working terrier, he must possess certain characteristics: a ready attitude, alertness, and confidence; balance in height and length; medium in size and bone, suggesting strength and endurance. They are bold and friendly, athletic and clever.

Important to breed type is a natural appearance: harsh, weatherproof coat with a compact construction and clean silhouette. The coat is broken or smooth. He has a small, flexible chest to enable him to pursue his quarry underground and sufficient length of leg to follow the hounds.

These dogs are a handy size, filled with loads of character. They make for a wonderful sporty companion as well as a house pet. Be advised, he is intelligent and stubborn and can be difficult to train. He also has a high activity level (that's an understatement). This dog breed is also very affectionate with his family and usually pretty friendly toward strangers.

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At work he is a game hunter, tenacious and courageous. At home he is playful, exuberant, and overwhelmingly affectionate. He is an independent and energetic terrier and requires his due portion of attention.

These dogs can be easily distracted, particularly by scent and should always be kept on leash when taken outside your home. Training methods should be always be consistent and firm from earliest puppy hood.

The Parson Russell Terrier stands about 11 to 14 inches at the shoulder and weighs typically between 10 to 16 pounds. They have a sturdy, compact body with either a short, hard coat or a rough, wiry coat. A daily brushing with a stiff brush is recommended to keep his coat in great condition.

This dog breed is very suitable for apartment life as long as he gets his daily exercise. However, they do need regular activity, and a lot of it, to curb their restless nature. They love to play with balls and can be a great retriever with proper training.

The name of the Jack Russell Terrier was changed to the Parson effective April 1, 2003 as requested by the Parson Russell Association of America, which was changed from the Russell Terrier Association of America. The Parsons are the longer legged JRT's.

Country of origin: England
Lifespan: 15 years or more
Colors: White with black, red, brown or tan markings
Known health problems: Eye problems, luxating patellas, Legg-Perthes, deafness
Famous Parson's: Eddie on TV show Frasier; Wishbone TV series (main character of a children's television series in the United States); Milo, The Mask movie; My Dog Skip movie main character

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