The Parson Russell Terrier was recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1990, followed by Australia and FCI countries, then American Kennel Club in 2001, as Parson Jack Russell Terrier and then in the USA as the Jack Russell Terrier. Because the name Parson Jack Russell was registered in the USA by a person who did not wish to relenquish their trade mark, the Kennel Clubs of the world had to "re-badge" the PJRT to PRT to accommodate this problem. So now the taller type of Russell is a Parson Russell (over 12") and the shorter version is a Jack Russell (10-12").

History

It was developed in 19th century England by a clergyman named Jack Russell. This feisty little terrier was used to hunt small game, particularly fox, by digging the quarry out of its den. Breeders have emphasized its working ability, so the standard is very broad, encompassing a wide range of accepted body types. On English hunts, the Parson Russell Terriers were supposed to be long-legged enough to keep up with the hounds. The energetic and playful Parson Russell makes a good family companion. Some of the Parson Russell's talents include: hunting, tracking, agility, and performing tricks.

Appearance and Size

Parsons have small, flexible chests to move in underground holes. Their tails were traditionally docked to a length of three or four inches - long enough to get a grip on if you needed to pull them out of a hole. Strong and muscular hindquarters make them excellent sprinters. Their colours are white, white with black or tan markings, or a combination of the three, tri-colour.They come in a broken or smooth coat. The ideal height to the shoulder blade of an adult male is 14" and females 13". Although they can range from 12-14" (31-36 cm) The normal weight condition of a hard working terrier is 13-18 lbs (5-8 kg).

Personality

The Parson, like their cousin the Jack Russell, is a bold and energetic happy go lucky terrier. They often do well with people who possess those same attributes, as well as patience and a sense of humor. Parsons can do very well with children, but many Parsons won't tolerate being handled roughly, so it is not recommended that they be placed in homes with very young children. They are very intelligent and eager to please. Many excel in activities such as obedience, agility, conformation and earthdog. Parsons do not do well in flats or apartments because they need space to exercise. The important thing is outdoor exercise. If leaving the Parson home all day while one works, leaving a radio or TV on and/or having a playmate for your Terrier is suggested as the Parsons are very social creatures. Because the Parson was bred to hunt, it can be difficult for them to live with some pets such as small rodents. While, they will get along fine with cats if raised with them, it's not suggested to leave them alone together unsupervised. They like to play fetch, but they do not like to bring it back. The dogs are loving, loyal, and make great family pets with people who treat these animals as family members only if they get exercise. They are a big dog in a small dog's body.

Wikipedia and GNU

The content of this entry is from the Wikipedia article "Parson Russell Terrier" licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.