Parson Russell Terrier

Other Names: Parson Terrier, Parson Jack Russell Terrier, Jack Russell Dog Group Kennel Club: Terrier (AKC, KC) Appearance The Parson Russell Terrier is a small, compact, active terrier. The nose is black and the almond-shaped eyes are dark. The v-shaped ears fold forward. Coat They have smooth, wiry, or "broken" coat. Colours are mostly white with black, tan, or brown markings.

Weight: 11 - 18 lbs

Average Life Span: 9 - 15 years

Temperament
The Parson Russell Terrier is a fearless, affectionate, happy, alert, confident, intelligent and lively little terrier. They are usually good with children, but would be best suited to a family with older children. This is beacause of the fact that some lines are definitely not tolerant of children and will react strongly against teasing so it is extremely important to discuss this with the breeder you are dealing with. They are dominant over other dogs, and their terrier instinct can be deadly towards animals it considers to be prey. Therefore not an ideal for a family with other dogs and non canine animals. Parson Russell Terriers are not the ideal pet for everyone. Like most terriers, the Parson Russell Terrierl is a digger and a barker. They are also very active and need a lot of attention. Regular mental and physical activity is essential to avoid behavioural problems developing. If you dont have time to give this attention this is not the breed for you.

Parson Russell Terriers are usually excellent watch dogs, and many have possessive qualities that also make them good guards.

Training
The Parson Russell Terrier is an intelligent little dog but can be a bit stubborn like most terriers. Training should begin early and be firm and consistent.Parson Russell Terriers must be socialised from puppy hood with people and anmimals otherwise they can become dominant with other dogs and possessive over their owners.

Grooming
Parson Russell Terriers shed alot, brushing once a week and more frequently during shedding seasons is necessary to remove dead hair and keep the coat healthy. Bathe only when necessary.

Exercise
They need lots of daily exercise to meet their high energy levels to keep them healthy and happy.

Parson Russell Terrier Issues

Luxating Patella: Slipping knee joints (also referred to as luxating patellas, slipped stifles) are a common problem in small breeds. In this condition, the kneecap slips out of its groove and moves against the thighbone (femur) instead of along its natural groove. Although this has been found to be a heritable condition, small, active breeds are likely to aggravate it through the course of their natural activities (jumping up and down) around taller objects such as furniture.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): is a family of diseases all involving the gradual deterioration of the retina. It is diagnosed by a retinoscopic exam or by means of an electroretinogram (ERG). Early in the disease, affected dogs become nightblind and lack the ability to see in dim light; later on daytime vision also fails. As their vision deteriorates, affected dogs adapt to their handicap very well, as long as their environment remains constant. Certain breeds are affected early in life, whereas in other breeds, PRA develops much later in onset

VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE (vWD) - is an autosomally (not sex-linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time (somewhat similar to hemophilia in humans) and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. A DNA test for vWD is now available. Carrier-to-carrier breedings, in theory, will produce puppies that are 25% clear, 50% carriers, and 25% affected. Ideally, only clear-to-clear or clear-to-carrier should occur, so that no puppies will be affected. Not all dogs that are vWD affected will have severe bleeding problems, but they ARE at risk whenever they need to have surgery or have an accident. Some unlucky affected dogs will actually bleed out from a needle stick or minor wound.

CERVICAL VERTEBRAL INSTABILITY (CVI or Wobbler's Syndrome) - Dogs (usually in mid-life) suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs (front, hind, or all four). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical therapy is hotly debated and extremely expensive with questionable success. In some surgically treated cases, clinical recurrence has been identified.

Parson Russell Terrier History

The Parson Russell Terrier takes it name from the Reverend John Russell who bred one of the finest strains of terriers for working fox in Devonshire, England in the mid-to-late 1800's. Rev. Russell (1795-1883), apart from his church activities, had a passion for fox hunting and the breeding of fox hunting dogs; he is also said to be a rather flamboyant character, probably accounting for his strain of terrier's notability and the name of our terrier today. His first terrier, the immortal "TRUMP", is said to be the foundation of John Russell's strain of working terriers.

John Russell maintained his strain of fox terriers bred strictly for working, and the terrier we know of today as the Parson Russell Terrier is much the same as the pre-1900 fox terrier. The Parson Russell Terrier has survived the changes that have occurred in the modern-day Fox Terrier because it has been preserved by working terrier enthusiasts in England for more than 100 years.