Parson Russell Terrier

Temperament:

Fearless, Energetic, Happy
Size: Small
Height: 31-38 cm
Weight: 5,9-7,7 kg
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Coat: Shorthair
Colors: Black and white, Lemon yellow and white, Brown, White
FCI Group: Terriers

The Parson Russell Terrier is a recognized FCI Group 3 dog breed. The lively terrier from Great Britain combines many good characteristics. The breed has a spirited, friendly and gentle nature. The terrier is an excellent companion and hunting dog. As a playmate, it enriches the lives of the whole family. It loves children and enjoys romping around outdoors with them.

Parson Russell Terrier
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Characteristics

A purebred Parson Russell Terrier has a shoulder height of 31 to 38 cm. The white pedigree dog has a spot above each eye that extends to the ears. A spot of no more than one cent should also be visible at the root of the tail.

The Terrier's hard, greasy coat is tight and somewhat rough to the touch. The thighs, the inside of the chest and the belly are heavily coated. A dense undercoat protects the Parson Russell Terrier from wetness, cold and injuries when hunting.

A distinction is made between the rough-haired and the smooth-haired Parson Russell Terrier. Its weight corresponds approximately to that of a full-grown vixen, its legs are straight as a die.

The active Parson Russell Terrier is considered to be very intelligent and courageous. The dog is very self-confident. As an indispensable companion for riders, it feels right at home. Anyone who chooses a Parson Russell Terrier should have a large family. This pedigree dog needs people who have a lot of time for him and who he loves. It needs long walks and plenty of exercise.

The friendly nature of the Parson Russell Terrier makes it a lovable playmate. This dog can be very affectionate with children. If children learn to treat the terrier with respect, it is the ideal playmate.

At work, he follows commands with perseverance, high concentration and eagerness. The Parson Russell Terrier is a very agile and independent dog. Its friendly nature towards all animals and people predestines it for work as a hunting dog. It must not disturb the course of a mounted hunt.

The Parson Russell Terrier needs an active owner who challenges him mentally. Physical exercise is very important to him. It is therefore suitable for all types of dog sports.

With its robust nature, it is very adaptable and does not resent its owner. The Parson Russell Terrier is a true English gentleman. Nevertheless, it needs consistent training. It is therefore less suitable for impatient dog owners.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Like other small dog breeds, the Parson Russell Terrier is also susceptible to Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. The disease begins with a progressive weakening of the femoral head. The subsequent damage to the cartilage and bone tissue leads to osteoarthritis.

Incorrect exercise or nutrition can lead to severe pain, lameness and muscle atrophy. If your dog is also affected, you can contact your vet or a nutritional advice center for individual nutritional advice.

Health & Care

Checking and caring for your Parson Jack Russell should be routine. The terrier's eyes should be checked daily. If the eyes are red, watery or ooze purulent fluid, the vet should be consulted.

The consistency of the droppings or worm infestation should be checked during the daily walk.

At the weekly check-up, the ears are examined for inflammation caused by mites or other parasites. The vet offers special ear cleaning products that are dripped into the ear. At the same time, the teeth are checked for mucus and food residue, as bacteria promote the formation of tartar.

Puppies should be trained to brush their teeth so that they get used to it. Every dog loves chewing sticks for dental care. However, if tartar build-up increases, the vet will remove the plaque professionally. With the right diet and care, tartar is very rare.

The claws must also be checked weekly and trimmed regularly. The condition of the ground plays a major role here. A dog wears out its claws faster on asphalt than on a soft meadow. In addition, wear and tear also depends on the duration of daily exercise.

It also does no harm to look under the tail. The terrier must not smell and should always be clean under the tail.

The dog's coat needs to be groomed once a week. Thorough brushing and trimming are among the tasks that should never be neglected. The Parson Russell Terrier is a little connoisseur. Once he has realized how pleasant it is to be brushed, he can't get enough of it.

The old hair should be removed from the entire coat once a month. The quickest way to see where the dead hair starts is to brush the Parson Russell Terrier's back against the grain. Trimming knives or other practical trimming sets are available from pet shops.

Puppies should not be bathed, adult terriers only in exceptional cases if the coat cannot be cleaned in any other way. The dog's natural skin oil serves as protection and must be preserved at all costs. If the dog is really dirty, you should first dry the coat and brush it out. This care is usually sufficient.

Only rinse heavy soiling with lukewarm water without shampoo. If the dog comes home with feces in its coat, it is advisable to use a mild dog shampoo. This will prevent skin irritation. All other shampoos or soaps should be avoided.

Suitable accessories

A normal collar would cause the lively Parson Russell Terrier too much tension on the neck and thus breathing difficulties. A harness is therefore more suitable for him. A telescopic or trailing lead gives him the freedom he needs when out walking.

The terrier always needs something to do, and when he's not working, he loves to play. Playing with balls and fetching sticks - as a working dog bred for hunting, he is passionate about retrieving.

The basic equipment also includes a dog basket or dog mat as a retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, a transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It is best to ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.

Parson Russell Terrier History

Origin & History

The British vicar John (Jack) Russell was born in Darthmouth in the county of Devon in 1795. As a hunter and horseman, he was enthusiastic about terrier breeding. In 1873, he founded the Kennel Club with other members. The later judge at dog shows enjoyed a high reputation and died at the ripe old age of almost ninety. Even the family of the British royal family condoled with him after his death.

His first terrier bitch, which he had with him during his studies at Oxford, is now regarded as the ancestor of the White Terrier breed. She had the coat pattern on her head that characterizes the Parson Russell Terrier today. A picture of the bitch can still be seen in the tack room at Sandringham Castle, which belongs to the Queen of England.

Father Jack Russel brought dogs from Devon and the New Forest to breed his terriers. Completely unusual for the time, he crossed a wide variety of coat colors. He also traveled widely and found native animals for breeding in various regions. The primary breeding goal was always the working ability of the terrier. In second place was the appearance with the typical characteristics.

In the 1930s, all terriers bred by Father Jack Russel were called Jack Russel Terriers. This type of terrier was favored by Jack Russel throughout his life and many breeders still adhere to this breed today. The Parson Russell Terrier was called the Parson Jack Russell Terrier until 1999.