Parson Russell Terrier Dog Breeds
Once upon a time, hunting was a favorite pastime among men of property, including men of the church. We can thank one of those hard-hunting English parsons for the Jack Russell Terrier, developed to hunt fox in the south of England some 200 years ago. Parson John Russell, “Jack” to his friends, wanted an efficient hunting dog and decided to design exactly the dog he had in mind.
The Jack Russell Terrier is a type (or landrace) of small, principally white-bodied, smooth or rough-coated terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. The name “Jack Russell” has been used to describe a wide array of small white terriers, but is now most commonly used to describe a working terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier is commonly confused with the Parson Russell Terrier or Russell Terrier, which are very similar to the Jack Russell.
Description of the Parson Russell Terrier Dog and Puppies Character & Temperament
The Terrier dogs are small to medium size and are often described as fiery or feisty. The smallest terriers are ready to take on any opponents - a necessary attribute when hunting and killing vermin but not so good for a family pet! Some terriers are yappy and are known to nip boisterous children. They can also be quite independent and difficult to train. On the positive side Terriers can be friendly, stable and loyal pets.
The Parson Russell Terrier is a small but sturdy dog. He has a compact yet athletic build and an alert expression. The coat of the Parson Russell Terrier can vary, as there are two varieties of this breed - the broken coat and the smooth. The broken coat has a rough texture, and the smooth coat has a close fitting, sleek coat. The coloring of the Parson Russell Terrier is white with markings that can be brown, tan, black, or tri-colored. The Parson Russell Terrier weighs in at 12-17 pounds and the height of these dogs is around 13-15 inches.
Size, Substance, Proportion
Size: The ideal height of a mature dog is 14” at the highest point of the shoulder blade, and bitches 13”. Terriers whose heights measure either slightly larger or smaller than the ideal are not to be penalized in the show ring provided other points of their conformation, especially balance, are consistent with the working aspects of the standard. Larger dogs must remain spannable and smaller dogs must continue to exhibit breed type and sufficient bone to allow them to work successfully.
