Parson Russell Terrier
A Very Quick And Clever Dog!
Background And Description:
What does a Parson Russell Terrier have in common with a clergyman? The answer, just in case you
don't know, is his name. Parson John Russell, of Devon, England, is credited with the
development of this breed in the 1800s, as well as its name.
As the story goes, the Parson, who had a
passion for the hunt, set out to create a dog with the physical characteristics and temperament
best suited for the sporting ventures of the day. The details of his cross-breeding are not
known, but it is speculated that the Bull Terrier and the Pocket Beagle were likely contributors
to the outcome.
This breed was formerly known as the Jack Russell Terrier and many still refer to it by this name. But
in 2003, the
AKC, changed this to his present name at the request of the Jack Russell Terrier Association of
America, who also changed the name of their association to PRTA of America, to coincide.
The Parson Russell Terrier was developed as an ideal dog to work with the hounds and
horsemen on foxhunts: Long legs for keeping up with the hounds and a fearless demeanor for facing o
ff with a fox.
His specific job, once the hounds had driven the fox underground, was to
bolt the fox from the den using a repertoire of skills. He started by baying and barking,
alerting the hunters to the location of the fox and then continued his vocal pursuit as he
entered the den. Fearlessly and expertly he would dig his way through the den to flush out the
fox. To do this, he was bred to have a narrow flexible chest that would allow him to squeeze into
the hole and move around without too much difficulty once inside.
Normally, all of this
ruckus would flush out the fox, but if these heroic efforts failed, the terrier would be located
by his barking and dug out of the hole, so that the hunt could continue.
In appearance, the
Parson Russell Terrier is a handsome dog that resembles the Wire Fox Terrier. His endearing good
looks and trainability, have won him fame in the entertainment industry.
Appearance:
Height: 14 inches Weight: 13-17 lbs
Color variations: Predominantly White, with tan or black markings.
Coat and Care:
The weatherproof double coat can be broken, rough or smooth. It is worn tightly to the body, giving a smooth appearance. Regular brushing and combing is necessary for maintenance. Show dogs have their coats routinely stripped for the best appearance.
Personality and Traits:
The Parson Russell Terrier has an exuberant and playful personality. He is ready to join into any game or activity at a moment's notice and has impressive athletic skills. He retains stronger hunting traits than other terriers. Property lines should be well secured to prevent burrowing or fence jumping
He is loyal to his master, courageous and most affectionate. Ever alert, no stranger will approach your door without being announced while he is on duty!
The Russell is very active - working is his game, and he will appreciate a steady stream of jobs to accomplish. This is not a dog to leave alone for long periods, unsupervised. He likes mental interaction and companionship.
Highly intelligent - with consistent training he can excel in agility, obedience, earth dog and tracking. Housetraining works best if you don't give him free rein during the process. Being highly curios, he will investigate every nook and cranny under your roof and you may never find those accidental puddles.
Activity Level:
If you are a family on the move and always physically active, the Parson Russell Terrier has more than enough stamina to keep up. In fairness to the breed, he needs a home with Terrier experience or owners who fully understand his lively temperament.
Space Needs:
This breed is adaptable to house or apartment, with room to run being the ideal. The key is exercise, which the Russell likes to have in abundance.
Children:
Has a good reputation with children who are considerate with pets. Terriers don't like to be mistreated.
Elderly:
This dog could be a handful for the elderly or sedentary owners who would most likely not
appreciate the energy level of this breed.
Reading Recommendations:
PARSON RUSSELL TERRIER (KCB)
Information about breed history, characteristics and standard, puppy selection, feeding,
training, health care and behavior of the breed. Also includes advice about puppy-proofing the
home, preparing for the puppy's arrival, housetraining and preventing puppy problems. Over 135
color photos.
Share Your Parson Russell Terrier Pictures
Visit
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Who wouldn't want to take pictures of this smart little bundle of energy. I am
sure that proud owners also enjoy sharing their photos with family and friends.
Now there is a creative and easy way to pass pictures along with Smilebox, a system that lets you easily create amazing dog ecards
greetings or invitations, announce a new dog with a slideshow or e-postcard, make dog e-scrapbooks, send
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occasions as well.
Visit Smilebox.com and try this amazing free service today!
Go on, give it a try - you'll be glad you did!
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