Parson Russell Terrier
Terrier

Group:

Terrier

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

13-15 years

Exercise:

high

Grooming:

low

Trainability:

moderate

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

England

Date of Origin:

1800’s

Other Names:

Parson Jack Russell Terrier

Original Function:

Fox bolting

History - Under Review

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Workmanlike, active and agile; built for speed and endurance.

Characteristics:
Essentially a working terrier with ability and conformation to go to ground and run with hounds.

Temperament:
Bold and friendly.

Head and Skull:
Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes. Shallow stop. Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. Nose black.

Eyes:
Almond shaped, fairly deep-set, dark keen expression.

Ears:
Small V-shaped, dropping forward, carried close to head, fold not to appear above top of skull.

Mouth:
Jaws strong, muscular. Teeth with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:
Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening to shoulders.

Forequarters:
Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers. Legs strong, must be straight with joints turning neither in nor out. Elbows close to body, working free of the sides.

Body:
Chest of moderate depth, capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands. Back strong and and straight. Loin slightly arched. Well balanced, length of back from withers to root of tail equal to height from withers to ground.

Hindquarters:
Strong, muscular with good angulation and bend of stifle. Hocks short and parallel giving plenty of drive.

Feet:
Compact with firm pads, turning neither in nor out.

Tail:
Strong, straight, set on high. Preferably docked with length complimenting the body while providing a good handhold.

Gait/Movement:
Free, lively, well co-ordinated; straight action front and behind.

Coat:
Naturally harsh, close and dense, whether rough or smooth. Belly and undersides coated. Skin must be thick and loose.

Colour:
Entirely white or predominantly white with markings which are tan, lemon or black, or any combination of these colours, preferably confined to head or root of tail.

Size: Height:
Dogs minimum 33 cms (13 ins) at withers ideally 35 cms (14 ins) at withers. Bitches minimum 30 cms (12 ins) at withers ideally 33 cms (13 ins) at withers.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.