Parson Russell Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell Terrier is a lean, square terrier standing about 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder. Its legs are longer than those of the Russell Terrier, and the proportions are balanced, with a chest narrow enough to follow a fox underground and a stride long enough to keep up with a horse and hounds. The coat is white with black or tan marks and can be smooth or broken.

The breed is a working dog by nature. People keep it because of its energy and humor, and because it is an athlete that excels at sports such as agility and flyball.

Temperament and family life

The Parson is bold and sociable, and it expects a share in every family activity. With older children who like active play it can be a delightful companion. Young children and a dog that jumps, nips, and races around are a risky pairing, and the dog does not tolerate being mauled.

With strangers it may be friendly or reserved, and it will announce visitors loudly. Other dogs sometimes prompt posturing, particularly same-sex dogs, and cats or rodents are likely to be chased. Parsons are escape artists, able to jump high and dig fast. Left alone and bored, they dig, bark, and chew.

Exercise and training

This dog needs serious exercise, ideally an hour or two every day including running. Fetch, flyball, agility, and long hikes help. Mental work is just as important, and puzzle toys and training games take some of the edge off.

The breed is smart and learns fast, but it is also headstrong. Training should be consistent, short, and positive, and it should start in puppyhood. Reliable recall is hard, and the dog should be leashed or in a fenced area unless trained and proofed against distractions.

Grooming and shedding

Grooming is straightforward. Brush weekly with a firm brush or glove; broken-coated dogs may need combing and occasional hand-stripping to neaten the coat. The hair sheds more than owners often expect, and white hairs show on dark furniture.

Bathe only as needed, since the coat is naturally dirt-resistant. Trim nails, clean ears, and brush teeth, as terriers can build tartar early.

Health

Parson Russell Terriers are generally robust. Primary lens luxation, which can cause pain and blindness if the lens shifts, is a concern and has a DNA test. Deafness, kneecap luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and a hereditary movement disorder called ataxia have been described. Breeders typically screen eyes, hearing, knees, and hips and use DNA tests where available.

What is written here is general, so questions about an individual Parson Russell Terrier belong with a veterinarian.

History

The breed is generally traced to Reverend John Russell, a sporting clergyman in Devon, England, in the early nineteenth century, who bred terriers to run with his foxhounds and to flush foxes from dens. Over time his dogs and their descendants were crossed for different purposes, producing taller and shorter types. The taller, square-built type was refined into the Parson Russell Terrier, which the American Kennel Club first recognized as the Jack Russell Terrier in 1997 and renamed in 2003. It is recognized as distinct from the shorter-legged Russell Terrier.

Is the Parson Russell Terrier right for you?

A Parson Russell suits active people who can give it hours of attention and exercise, secure fencing, and consistent training. It is a poor match for sedentary households, for people who want a quiet dog, or for those with small pets.

The Russell Terrier is a shorter-legged cousin, while the Wire Fox Terrier is similar in size and spirit with a rougher coat. If you want a steadier terrier with a milder temper, look at the Border Terrier.