The Parson Russell Terrier Community

The Parson Russell Terrier is a KC-recognised working fox terrier developed by Reverend John (Jack) Russell, a Victorian clergyman and passionate foxhunting enthusiast who bred a distinctive type of terrier from the mid-nineteenth century onwards specifically for the demanding role of bolting foxes from their underground earths during mounted hunts. Russell's ambition was to produce a dog with the physical conformation to follow hounds at pace, the courage to enter a fox's earth and face the fox underground, and the restraint not to kill the quarry but to bolt it, allowing the hunt to continue. The result was a longer-legged, more athletic working terrier than some of the shorter-legged earthwork types. The Parson Russell Terrier is the KC-registered, formally standardised form of this working type and is distinguished from the Jack Russell Terrier, which lacks KC recognition and has a more variable conformation. The Parson Russell Terrier is a sturdy, balanced and athletic small terrier. The chest, critically, must be spannable - that is, small enough to be grasped in a man's hands and passed underground into earths and dens. Coats come in smooth, rough and broken varieties, always predominantly white with tan, black or lemon markings to distinguish the dog from the fox underground. Adults typically stand 33 to 36 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 6 to 8 kilograms. The character is unmistakably working terrier - bold, energetic, determined and self-reliant. The Parson Russell is devoted to its household and genuine in its affection, good with children who handle dogs with respect, and entertaining and engaging in daily life. It is also assertive, possessed of a strong prey drive, capable of considerable independent action and equipped with the persistence and determination that made it a genuine working animal. These qualities do not disappear in the companion setting. The prey drive is strong and small pets in the household are not compatible without careful and constant management. Recall in open country requires thorough and dedicated training before it can be considered reliable. The breed has genuine athletic capability - it can climb, dig and jump with impressive ability. Training rewards consistent positive reinforcement and the breed is capable of real achievement when trained with appropriate methods and consistency. Early socialisation with people, children, other dogs and environments is important and straightforward given the breed's lively, outgoing character. Health considerations include Primary Lens Luxation, for which DNA testing of parents is strongly recommended. Patellar Luxation and Ataxia have also been documented. Prospective buyers should insist on documented health test results. Purchase prices from KC-registered, health-tested breeders range from £800 to £1,500. Monthly running costs average £60 to £100. The Parson Russell Terrier Association is the primary resource for breed information, health testing, responsible breeders and rescue contact.