Parson Russell Terrier
The taller, squarer relative of the Jack Russell, out of the same Devon parson's kennel. Bred to stand level with the hounds and still fit down an earth.
Photo by apartmentshowcase, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Parson Russell Terrier is the taller, squarer, longer legged version of the Jack Russell, and it is a separate breed in most registries. The standard requires it to stand level with the hounds it worked alongside, which is where the difference comes from.
Both trace to the Reverend John Russell's Devon terriers, and the split is about conformation rather than origin.
Temperament
Bold, energetic and clever. Parsons are affectionate with their families and they are proper working terriers in every respect.
They dig, they bark, they chase, and the prey drive towards small animals is serious. They can be dog aggressive. They are also among the most trainable terriers and among the most in need of it, and they are considerably more dog than their size suggests.
Care and grooming
Smooth or broken coats, both needing a weekly brush, with the broken coat benefiting from hand stripping twice a year. They shed more than expected.
Primary lens luxation and late onset ataxia both have DNA tests. Patellar luxation and deafness also occur. Thirteen to fifteen years.
Living and exercise
An hour and a half a day plus mental work, and that is a floor.
A fence sunk into the ground. They excel at earthdog, agility and flyball, and a Parson without an outlet becomes a destructive and vocal problem.
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