Are you looking for a sporty and cheerful dog, are you an active person, maybe with family and children? If you also have a little dog experience, then the Parson Russell Terrier is your ideal candidate. The funny whirlwind inspires with his personality as well as his versatility.

The Pastor’s Dog Breeding

John Jack Russell was not only a priest (“Parson”), but also an enthusiastic hunter and very anxious to have ideal hunting dogs around him. For fox hunting, he bred fox terriers, whereby the appearance of the dogs was secondary to their abilities as intrepid builders. The long-legged Parson Russell Terrier, which has been officially recognized as a separate breed since 2001, goes back to Pastor Russell’s work. Previously, the terrier was listed as a high-legged British variant of the well-known Jack Russell Terrier. Parson Russell Terriers are thus one of the youngest “official” dog breeds.

Characteristics of the Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell Terrier is extremely intelligent, not only when it comes to tracking tracks or other “dog things”. He also has a pronounced social sense, notices human weaknesses very quickly and knows how to exploit them to his advantage. The character of the Parson Russell Terrier is friendly and cheerful: The dog spreads good humor everywhere with its funny and charming nature. Not to be underestimated is its pronounced hunting instinct. Parson Russell Terriers are usually not aggressive towards humans, males are often not averse to scuffles with other dogs. The animals are extremely fond of children and, thanks to their self-confidence, show themselves to be experienced companion dogs even in confusing situations such as pedestrian zones.

Education and keeping of the Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell Terrier is a very self-confident dog with a mind of its own. If he sees an opportunity to do so, he tries to take over the reigns in the household. Parson Russell Terriers are not beginner dogs. As an owner, a certain consistency in training is indicated, which is certainly a challenge in view of the mischievous charm of the dog. Obedience is the highest goal in the education of a Parson Russell Terrier. Once the roles have been clarified, nothing stands in the way of harmonious coexistence.

Wanting to keep a Parson Russell Terrier as a pure lap or apartment dog is absolutely not species-appropriate. He wants and needs to be challenged. If he can’t live out his agility and intelligence, he gets ill-tempered and takes it out on the furnishings or his humans. So make sure that your dog always has a meaningful activity. A well-balanced Parson Russell Terrier is an agile fellow who is excellent for dog sports such as agility or obedience and, above all, sniffing work. Even as your companion when cycling and riding or as an enthusiastic swimmer, the Parson Russell Terrier is tireless.

ProfileParson Russell Terrier

Pflege of the Parson Russell Terriers

The somewhat shaggy coat of the Parson Russell Terrier is maintained daily with a comb and brush. Two to three times a year, the coat needs a professional haircut from the dog groomer or experienced owner. Specialist retailers offer special trimmers for this purpose. Like most small dogs, the Parson Russell Terrier also shows a predisposition to problems with the kneecap.

Also check out these smaller terrier species:

• Cairn Terrier: The Scots have a heart for terriers and bred the Cairn Terrier in addition to other breeds. The dog should be versatile, attentive, courageous and yet friendly to its own family. The fuzzy Scotsman meets all these requirements and convinces with a successful mix.
• Manchester Terrier: The Manchester Terrier is considered one of the most original British dog breeds. His passion and task was rat hunting. To this day, this hunting instinct is in his blood, which is why the elegant, black-brown terrier needs a very good education.
• Norfolk Terrier: The Norfolk Terrier makes an incredibly sympathetic first impression with its wavy, long fur and funny face. It lasts just long enough until the terrier discovers a cat and rushes away chasing away despite all calls.
• Norwich Terrier: The Norwich Terrier is one of the smallest terrier breeds. In recent decades, it has developed from a hunting dog to a family and companion dog. Nevertheless – the terrier heritage cannot be denied: The Norwich Terrier is up for any fun.
• Patterdale Terrier: With a Patterdale Terrier by your side, life with a dog never gets boring! The lively four-legged friends bring all their energy and joie de vivre into an active everyday life. After a long day in the fresh air and lots of exercise, they enjoy time with their family.
• Welsh Terrier: The Welsh Terrier is one of the rarest terrier breeds in the world. Its roots could go back to the Celts. In recent decades, its task has changed from hunting to companion dog. The intelligent small dogs are lovable family members.
• West Highland White Terrier: In the 1990s, the West Highland White Terrier became a fashion dog. The snow-white fuzzy head with the button eyes became a popular family companion. But hand on heart: It’s also hard not to fall in love with the Westie.
•  Yorkshire Terrier: Cute button eyes flash out from under the bow that don’t miss anything. That’s how you know the Yorkshire Terrier from TV. You could think of him as a cuddly toy, but far from it: The Yorkshire Terrier is an agile action dog with a strong character.