The Parson Russell Terrier is an energetic and intelligent breed developed in England for fox hunting, known for its bold and independent nature. They require a lot of exercise and firm training and are generally healthy dogs.
Origin and Purpose
Developed in England by Reverend John (Jack) Russell to hunt fox.
Bred to go to ground to bolt quarry.
Appearance
Dimensions
Gender
Height
Weight
Female
12-14 inches (31-36 cm)
11-15 lbs (5-6.8 kg)
Male
13-15 inches (33-38 cm)
13-17 lbs (5.9-7.7 kg)
Coat
Attribute
Notes
Color
White with black or tan markings, or a combination of both.
Predominantly white
Any shade of tan, lemon, or black and tan markings acceptable
Type
Smooth
Rough
Broken
Length
Short to medium
Care
Attribute
Notes
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
Weekly
Drooling
Low
Body
Attribute
Notes
Head
Wedge-shaped, moderate size
Skull
Flat, moderately wide, tapers to muzzle
Ears
Small, V-shaped, dropping forward or button
Eyes
Almond-shaped, dark
Nose
Black
Muzzle
Strong, slightly shorter than skull
Teeth
Scissor bite
Neck
Clean, muscular, moderate length
Forequarters
Well laid back shoulders
Fore Legs
Straight and strong
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular
Hind Legs
Strong and well-angulated
Feet
Round and cat-like
Tail
Set high, carried erect or slightly curved forward
Gait
Free, active, and well-coordinated
Temperament
Intelligent
Alert
Energetic
Bold
Independent
Spirited
Fearless
Courageous
Devoted
Can be stubborn
Affectionate
Social
Attribute
Notes
Affectionate with Family
Yes
Good with Children
Generally good, but supervision advised
Good with Dogs
Can be good with early socialization
Good with Cats
May chase, caution needed
Openness to Strangers
Reserved, but not typically aggressive
Playfulness Level
High
Protective Nature
Moderate
Adaptability Level
Moderate
Working Roles
Fox hunting
Companion
Agility
Earthdog trials
Ratting
Exercise Needs
High
Requires significant daily exercise
Health
Generally healthy
Prone to some genetic conditions like lens luxation, deafness, patellar luxation, and cerebellar ataxia.
Additional Notes
Originally bred to hunt fox. Needs firm, consistent training. Enjoys digging. Can be prone to barking.
The breed is very active and requires a good amount of exercise to avoid becoming bored and destructive
The coat should be dense and weatherproof and is easy to groom
The breed is not suitable for sedentary families and would suit an experienced owner
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