Parson Russell Terrier: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Playful and plucky, the Parson Russell terrier is a small terrier dog breed from England with a short double coat and a big personality. These terriers have instant appeal, thanks to their petite size and lively expressions. Originally bred for hunting foxes, these pint-sized canines excel in everything from agility to dock diving and barn hunts. They make excellent pets—if you can stay one step ahead of these clever little dogs who can be independent thinkers and strong-willed.

Characteristics of the Parson Russell Terrier

If you're a big personality looking for a pet that can say the same, the Parson Russell terrier might be for you. Small in stature but big on energy, they'll bring a lively enthusiasm to any activity you involve them in, from tug of war to a day in the dog park.

History of the Parson Russell Terrier

The history of the Parson Russell terrier traces back to England in the 1800s. Parson John Russell, a minister and avid English sportsman, desired a smaller foxhound that could keep up with foxes on the hunt and easily "go to ground" to pursue the swift creatures into their underground burrows and flush them out.

Starting with a small terrier of uncertain pedigree named Trump, Russell began a selective breeding program that would eventually produce a kennel of petite terriers with a distinct look and tenacious personality on the hunt. The dogs were of sufficient stature to run with larger English foxhounds across the English countryside but had a flexible frame and slight enough build to squeeze into foxholes and bay the fox from its hiding place.

Russell died in 1883, but the legacy of his small but mighty hunters would live on. In fact, the term Jack Russell terrier began to be used to describe a wide range of small working terriers and hounds. This speaks to the impact that Russell made on the world of hunting dogs in England and beyond, but also brought its own challenges.

A growing number of breed enthusiasts felt that the term Jack Russell terrier was being applied too liberally to an increasingly diverse pool of terriers, many of which had shorter legs and a longer back than the standard to which Russell developed his breed. In 1904, Arthur Heinemann is credited with the first breed standard for the Jack Russell terrier. A decade later, he would found the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club in England which aimed to keep the breed true to the type and vision that Parson John Russell worked so hard to develop.

However, a great number of dogs with a diversity of characteristics were exported to other countries, including the United States under the term Jack Russell terrier. This has sparked decades of debate between purists of the breed standard and those who place an emphasis on the breed’s working ability.

In 1985, the Jack Russell Terrier Association of America was founded. The club’s breed standard reflected Heinmann’s breed standard from 1904. Then in 1990, England’s Kennel Club recognized the Parson Jack Russell terrier as a variant of the fox terrier and adopted a 14-inch standard for the breed. Moving forward in time, the AKC gave the Jack Russell terrier registration status in 1997 and then added it to the terrier group in 2003.

Today, though, you won’t find Jack Russell terriers in the list of AKC-recognized breeds. Why not? In 2003, the AKC moved to change the breed’s official name to Parson Russell terrier to better identify the specific characteristics of this breed. The Jack Russell Terrier Association of America changed its identity to match, becoming the Parson Russell Terrier Association of America.

This change wasn’t unanimous among the small working terrier community. A committed network of breed enthusiasts feels strongly that the intent and emphasis of this breed should be on working ability and retains the name Jack Russell terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America maintains its own breed standard and registry.

However, today the Parson Russell terrier is known as a long-legged and sturdy hunter. Some say that this strain of working terrier has a higher drive and intensity than the Jack Russell terrier. Advocates for both Parson Russell terriers and Jack Russell terriers claim that their type is a truer representation of what Parson John Russell intended for his dogs—a small but mighty hunter. 

Parson Russell Terrier Care

When it comes to caring for a Parson Russell terrier, make no mistake about it—these small dogs involve a big commitment. Equipped with seemingly endless energy and an inquisitive, intelligent nature, this dog breed is always on the go. For this reason, they often make good pets in homes with children, since they’ll gladly play for hours. However, it’s important to teach kids how to treat the dog with respect. Fortunately, the Parson Russell terrier's grooming needs are fairly routine.

Exercise

Parson Russell terriers need several solid walks or a run each day. Once they’ve reached adulthood, this long-legged dog makes a compact jogging partner. Without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, Parson Russell terriers can be high-strung and may resort to destructive behavior.

Fortunately, they are well-suited for a number of canine competitions. Aside from plenty of success in the show ring, Parson Russell terriers have enjoyed top honors in canine agility, dock diving, go-to-ground trials, and barn hunts. Such activities are a great way to bond with your dog while also giving this breed an outlet for his intensity and drive.

Grooming

Though the training and care of this dog breed are anything but low maintenance, the grooming routine is. This dog’s short, coarse coat just needs an occasional rub with a grooming mitt to keep it in order. A bath will keep dander in check and odors away, but it’s not needed on a routine basis. Trim your dog's nails as needed, brush their teeth regularly, and be sure to keep the ears clean. 

Training

The Parson Russell terrier is not generally recommended for first time dog owners or families who cannot dedicate the proper time and attention to detailed training. In addition to the breed’s abundant energy, the terrier personality often manifests itself in a stubborn or independent streak. Owners of a Parson Russell terrier must exhibit effective leadership from the beginning to avoid this little dog from dominating the house or preferring to pursue his own ideas. The breed is not known for being overly shy or timid, but still benefits from a positive, firm approach.

Keeping in mind the breed’s origin helps shed more light on its personality, although each individual dog is different. Initially bred to work with a pack, the Parson Russell terrier generally is compatible with other dogs. Aggressiveness or a quarrelsome nature were viewed as undesirable traits and were avoided in the early breeding program.

Common Health Problems

The Parson Russell terrier generally enjoys a long life—up to 15 or more years, with few major health concerns. However, to help ensure the heartiness of the breed, responsible breeders screen for hereditary health issues such as eye problems, deafness, and more.

Some of the most common health problems affecting this breed include:

• Patellar Luxation
• Deafness
• Primary Lens Luxation
• Ataxia

Diet and Nutrition

The Parson Russell terrier is an active dog breed that will do best on a quality high-protein dog food. Don’t let these little dogs become overweight; limit meals to twice a day and keep treats in check. Remember, too, that this agile breed is capable of jumping up to surprising heights, so don’t leave your dinner table or any snacks unattended.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Parson Russell Terrier

If you’re looking for a Parson Russell terrier, you might want to begin your search with rescue groups. The energy and enthusiasm of the breed sometimes results in unprepared owners surrendering these dogs. However, if you know what to expect from a Parson Russell terrier, you might find your new best friend waiting at a rescue.

There are also a number of breeders of Parson Russell terriers throughout the United States. Both the breed club and the AKC are good resources to identify potential breeders.

• Rescue Me! Parson Russell Terrier
• Russell Rescue
• Parson Russell Terrier Association of America Breeder Listing
• AKC Breeder Listing
  

Parson Russell Terrier Overview

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

The Parson Russell terrier is an energetic breed that requires considerable time and training, but rewards you with abundant love and a long lifespan. If you're considering a Parson Russell terrier, do your research to ensure that you have what it takes to keep this small and spunky dog happy and healthy.

If you're interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Jack Russell Terrier Breed Profile
• Foxhound Breed Profile
• Rat Terrier Breed Profile

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!