With ancestors who were a breed of tenacious terriers, often bred and used for ratting (hunting vermin) or baiting, today»s Parson Russell Terrier is an excellent, agile, obedient companion.
A typical working terrier in the past, the Parson Russell Terrier earned its atypical name by way of its founder, the Reverend John Russell, who developed the breed»then dubbed the Jack Russell Terrier--in southern England in the 1800's. Unlike the terriers bred for ratting, paddling, and hunting, too, this breed had one primary purpose: to hunt with foxhounds and chase and then tackle the red fox.
At 12 to 14 inches and 13-17 pounds, the medium-sized, energetic terrier with the keen hunting instinct became, too, a devoted companion and family member.And this is what it is today. Performing, the Parson Russell Terrier has the standard hunter characteristics»courage, tenacity, and endurance. At rest, while it doesn»t have a restful nature, per se, it is affectionate and attentive.
But the Parson Russell Terrier needs attention, too. Since this type is fairly aggressive»known to get into fights and known to chase and kill small animals»it needs a firm and socialized training. In addition, since the breed is known to be fairly independent, and a digger and climber, too, it needs to be leashed (or not allowed to take off), needs to be engaged in meaningful activity by its loved ones, behaving best when playing and performing tricks, for example, and moving about enough to exercise its innate needs to run and chase. Therefore, a spacious enough yard is ideal for it to run, chase, and play.
Also ideal for the Parson Russell Terrier is a living environment that allows for interaction. Not too happy if left alone with nothing to do, the breed will do what it knows, chewing and digging at anything it deems entertaining and engaging as if it were a 19th century fox it were digging out of a hole.
The Parson Russell Terrier does not need bathing (as like most terriers it is prone to dry skin) very often, but with if it is a smooth-haired variety it can do well with a rubber brushing once a week and if it is of the broken- or wire-haired variety, needs a bristle brushing once a week as well.
But more importantly, with its feisty, fearless, and energetic ways, the Parson Russell terrier needs most of all to play. A lot.
