The Russell Terrier

Background:

The Russell terrier originates in England but was developed in Australia. The line begins with Jack Russell, who was a student at Oxford University, and owned a terrier named Trump. Jack used Trump to breed a new kind of terrier who excelled at fox hunting. The Jack Russell was small enough to fit into a den or be carried in a backpack. He was a favorite of hunters on horseback.

Jack Russell refused to show his terriers, electing to use them exclusively as a hunting dog. After his death in 1883 other patrons of the breed followed his example. This led to controversy in 1998 when the Jack Russell was accepted into the American Kennel Club. 

The Jack Russell Terrier Club had already been established and many of them wanted nothing to do with show dogs. Russell terrier owners were split into two groups, with those who wanted to show, forming the Parson Russell Terrier Association of the United States. The American Kennel club changed the name of breed on their registry to Parson Russell Terrier in 2003.

The PRTAA and JRTCA have different breed standards with those in the Jack Russell camp only interested in hunting ability.

The Russell terrier has remained a favorite among horse owners for more than a century.

Sizing up:

• Weight: 13 to 17 lbs
• Height: 13 to 14 inches
• Coat: Dense, double
• Color: White
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

What’s the Russell terrier like?

The Russell terrier is playful and has a great sense of humor. He’s also loyal for life.

The Russell terrier is a hunter. It’s what he’d most like to be doing. If there aren’t any foxes to be found, he’ll go after mice rats or even cats. He’ll chase his prey anywhere and through just about anything so you should have an enclosed yard that he can’t escape.  

The Russell terrier is exceedingly smart, more cunning than your average fox for sure and very energetic. He’ll be easily bored if you don’t engage him on a regular basis. He needs to have lots of exercise. Depriving him of that will result in destructive behavior. We recommend several walks and vigorous playtime every day.

The Russell terrier will get along with children unless they injure him in which case he can turn on them. Despite his small size he shouldn’t be kept in an apartment. The Russell terrier needs room to run.

He’s easy to groom, a brush once per week should suffice. 

Health:

There are several conditions to watch out for in the generally healthy Russell terrier breed:

• Von Willebrand disease
• Congenital deafness
• Cataracts
• Patellar luxation
• Ectopia lentis
• Ataxia
• Myasthenia gravis
• Legg-Calve-Perthes

Takeaway points:

• The Russell terrier has lots of energy
• The Russell terrier should not live in an apartment
• The Russell terrier might chase cats
• The Russell terrier is at high risk of running into traffic
• The Russell Terrier is territorial

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.