Parson Russell Terrier facts for kids
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| Other names | Parson Parson Jack Russell Terrier |
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| Origin | England | |||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||
The Parson Russell Terrier is a type of small white terrier dog. It was one of the first Fox Terriers back in the 1700s. This breed is named after a person called Reverend Jack Russell. He is known for creating this kind of dog.
The Parson Russell Terrier is the official show version of the Jack Russell Terrier. It was first recognized in the United Kingdom in 1990. Back then, it was called the Parson Jack Russell Terrier. In America, it became known as the Jack Russell Terrier in 1997. The name changed to Parson Russell Terrier in the UK in 1999. By 2008, most dog clubs around the world used this new name.
These dogs are mostly white. They can have smooth, rough, or broken fur. They are a bit smaller than some Jack Russells. Parson Russell Terriers are lively and full of energy. They are good at dog sports and can get along well with kids and other pets. Like many breeds, they can have some health issues, especially with their eyes.
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History of the Parson Russell Terrier
The story of this small white terrier begins with Reverend John Russell. He was born in 1795. In 1819, he bought a small white and tan female terrier named Trump. She became the starting point for his dog breeding program. By the 1850s, his dogs were known as a special kind of Fox Terrier.
In 1894, a club called the Devon and Somerset Badger Club was started. Its goal was to promote digging for badgers, not fox hunting. This club created the first rules for this type of terrier. Around the early 1900s, John Russell's name became linked to these terriers. The club later changed its name to the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club. It continued until just before World War II.
In 1983, the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club (PJRTC) was restarted. Their goal was to get the breed officially recognized by the Kennel Club. After a few tries, the Parson Jack Russell Terrier was recognized on January 9, 1990. It was seen as a type of Fox Terrier. The United Kennel Club also recognized it in 1991. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed as the Jack Russell Terrier in 1997.
On August 1, 1999, the PJRTC asked the Kennel Club (UK) to change the breed's name. They wanted it to be called the Parson Russell Terrier. The club's name also changed. The international dog group, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, recognized the Parson Russell Terrier in 2001. The American Kennel Club updated the name in 2003. The United Kennel Club adopted the new name in 2008.
Some major dog clubs recognize both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier as separate breeds. These include the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and the New Zealand Kennel Club.
What Does a Parson Russell Terrier Look Like?
Parson Russell Terriers are bred to meet a specific standard for dog shows. They have longer legs than their close relatives, the Jack Russell Terriers. Their legs are usually about as tall as their body is long.
These dogs are mostly white. They can have black, tan, or three-color markings. Their fur is easy to care for. It can be smooth or broken. A broken coat is like a smooth coat but has some longer hair on the head, face, legs, or body. The breed standard does not allow curly or very rough coats. They have clear outlines, with only a small hint of eyebrows and a beard if their coat is broken.
Their ears are small and V-shaped, folding forward with the tips pointing towards their eyes. Their nose should be black. Parson Russell Terriers usually stand between 13 and 14 inches (33 to 36 cm) tall at the shoulders. They weigh about 13 to 17 pounds (6 to 8 kg).
The Parson Russell has a fairly square shape. Its body is about as long as the dog is tall. Compared to a Jack Russell Terrier, the Parson Russell has a longer head and a bigger chest. Overall, they are slightly larger. The Parson has a flat skull, but it's not as long as a Fox Terrier's. Its ears are set lower. Jack Russell Terriers can vary more in size, from 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm) tall.
When judging these dogs in shows, two hands should be able to fit around the dog's chest. This is done behind its elbows, with the thumbs at the shoulders. The judge gently lifts the dog's front legs to check the chest's shape. The judge's fingers should meet under the chest, and their thumbs on top of the spine. This is important for judging the correct body shape.
Some physical traits are considered faults in dog shows. These include being too tall or too short. Other faults are ears that stick up, a liver or brown nose, an overbite or underbite, or brindle markings.
Parson Russell Terrier Personality
The Parson Russell is a lively and energetic type of Terrier. They are great at dog sports like flyball or agility. They need a lot of exercise to keep them from getting bored. If they get bored, they might become destructive at home.
They can live well with children. However, like most terriers, they don't like rough handling. The American Kennel Club says they are determined and brave when working. At home, they are joyful, playful, and loving. But most of these dogs are not used for hunting anymore. They are more often seen in dog shows.
They can be playful with other dogs and get along with horses. The breed standard says that shyness is a fault. But being submissive (meaning they give in easily) is not a fault. Being overly aggressive towards other dogs is not allowed. It can lead to a dog being disqualified from a show.
Health of the Parson Russell Terrier
Parson Russell Terriers can have some eye problems. One is called primary lens luxation. This is a condition that can be passed down from parents to puppies. It causes the fibers that hold the eye's lens in place to break down. If the lens falls out of place, it can cause another problem called glaucoma. This can lead to vision loss. Dog clubs often share DNA test results for this condition. Dogs are grouped as clear, carriers, or affected.
Other eye problems that can affect this breed include cataracts in young dogs. They can also have corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy, and posterior vitreous detachment. Besides eye issues, Parsons can also have deafness and patella luxation (a knee problem). A Parson Russell Terrier usually lives for about 14 to 15 years.
See also
In Spanish: Parson Russell terrier para niños
