Parson Jack Russell was born in 1795 and was a keen sportsman with a passion for fox hunting. In 1819 he acquired a Terrier bitch called Trump when he was finishing his student days in Oxford. This was the start of a line of Terriers which the parson bred with fox and otter hunting in mind. The dogs he produced needed to be hardy and agile, with sufficient stamina to follow a pack of hounds all day. He bred dogs with function uppermost in his mind, using the best available breeding stock, but always sticking to the ?look? he desired ? basically white, balanced dogs of the correct size with hardy coats.
For many years the ?Jack Russell? ? the short-legged type of hunt Terrier who has been a part of British country life for generations ? has been a favourite with the public. However, the purists have long argued that the true Parson Jack Russell Terrier was possibly the forerunner of the Fox Terrier and in 1983 the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club was formed to preserve and promote the old type of West County Terrier who had been bred and worked since the Parson?s lifetime. This breed was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1990 and in 1999 its name was changed to the Parson Russell Terrier, to avoid confusion with the short-legged Jack Russells who have been recognised by other governing bodies.
CHARACTER
Despite the fact that they remain to this day keen working Terriers, many Parsons fulfil the role of companion dog with great aplomb. The breed should be bold but friendly, athletic and clever. When working the Parson should show tenacity and courage, while at home he will be playful, exuberant and very affectionate towards his family. The Parson can be quite independent but never quarrelsome or shy.
Parsons will thrive in a one-dog situation where they get plenty of attention but many live in multi-dog households also. For a Parson to be well adjusted he needs to employ both his brain and his body, some kind of training is vital, even if it is nothing more than basic obedience. The Parson?s intelligence is such that he can be taught to quite an advanced level and many of the breed have excelled in a wide variety of disciplines.
APPEARANCE
The Parson male should stand not less than 13inches at the wither (ideally 14 inches) with bitches measuring one inch less. The Parson is a slightly off square dog. This represents a totally different shape to the lower legged Jack Russells which can be almost Corgi-like in proportions.
The Parson?s head is flat, moderately broad and narrows towards the eyes. The nose should be black and the eyes almond-shaped, fairly deep set and dark in colour conveying a keen expression. The ears are small, V-shaped and drop forward coming to the corner of the eye and not appearing above the skull. The neck is clean, muscular and of good length. The chest is of moderate depth but capable of being spanned by average sized hands. The back is strong with a slightly arched loin. The legs are strong and straight with compact, firm padded feet. The hindquarters are strong and muscular with good bend of stifle and short parallel hocks.
The Parson has two coat types: smooth and broken. Both should be harsh, close and dense with thick skin. In colour the breed should be entirely white or white with lemon, tan or black markings ideally confined to the head or tail area.
CARE
The Parson, be it smooth or broken-coated requires minimal grooming. A weekly session with a pin-wire brush is all that is necessary to keep the coat healthy. Ears and teeth should be checked routinely and cleaned when appropriate, otherwise all the Parson requires to maintain peak form is good food and plenty of exercise.
FAMILY LIFE
The Parson adapts well to domestic life, provided he has plenty to do. A solitary Parson left alone for hours on end will become bored and destructive- as will most breeds ? and so, if he is to be the lone family dog, ideally there should be someone at home for most of the day.
The breed has an ideal temperament if there are children around, provided the children are taught to respect the dog and do not take liberties. The Parson is a naturally active dog and so will need walks each day with a period of free running to let off steam. They are good-doers and seldom refuse food, so regular meals with no excessive titbits should keep them fit and well.
Some level of training should be part of the Parson?s routine, even if it is basic obedience commands. The breed enjoys the activity of agility and ,at a more advanced level, working trials and competitive obedience.
The easily managed coat means that even the most inexperienced handler can contemplate showing a Parson effectively.
Generally speaking the breed gets along well with other dogs and animals but care should be taken with smaller mammals as the Parson has a deep-rooted working ancestry.
THE BREED FOR YOU?
If you are looking for a sporty, busy, energetic and exuberant little Terrier with nothing fancy about him, who will bond with family and friends, and take any amount of exercise and training, then the Parson is an ideal choice. He is a low-maintenance breed with no exaggerations or major health problems. He needs to be kept occupied and, if not actually worked, at least trained to perform some simple tasks if he is to enjoy a high quality of life.
