Parson Russell Terrier: description of the breed and features of its content

The Parson Russell Terrier is an interesting breed of dog from Great Britain. These cute animals were bred to hunt small game. However, such a dog can be both a wonderful companion and just a cheerful four-legged friend. Let's consider in more detail the features of this breed, find out who it suits and what kind of care it requires.

It is no coincidence that the breed received such a name. The fact is that it was created by an English priest. "Parson" is translated from English as "pastor". Russell is the name of the priest.

John Russell was very fond of hunting foxes, so he needed a four-legged assistant who would drive the prey out of the hole. The dog had to have intelligence, speed, endurance, sensitive sense of smell and hearing. He had to calmly walk next to the horse, and if necessary, fearlessly rush in pursuit of the fox. Then he should have called the owner with loud barks.

At the same time, courage, hunting passion, perseverance in achieving the goal should have been combined with a friendly disposition. The pastor did not strive to breed an aggressive breed. He wanted the four-legged hunter to track down and drive the prey out of the hole, but did not tear it.

In 1819, a priest bought a female wire-haired terrier from a milkman. The dog was white and beige. With this, the process of breeding a new breed began.

Many fighting species participated in the crossing. So courage, fearlessness, a strong grip of the dogs were formed. Only bulldogs were not used because of their excessive aggressiveness.

Only the working qualities of the animals were taken into account. Beauty was not important to the pastor.Nevertheless, the result is a breed with a very pleasant appearance.

Until 1990, only the Russell Terrier breed was known to the world. However, in 2001, the International Cynological Federation decided to distinguish two subspecies. Each of them (Jack Russell Terrier and Parson Russell Terrier) received their own breed standards. The main difference was the height of the animals. In Europe, individuals with longer legs (the second subspecies) have become more popular.

Today the Parson Russell Terrier is a breed in demand in many countries, including Russia. Some people still use animals for hunting. Some keep them as farm working dogs. Often the pet plays the role of a companion. An active and inquisitive dog can make an excellent company for an athlete, a travel lover.

The Parson Russell Terrier is a small short-haired dog. Boys reach 34-38 cm in height. Girls are slightly smaller - 31-35 cm. Weight is not spelled out in the standard.

Let's consider the description of an adult representative of the breed in more detail.

• Head... The skull is medium in size. The muzzle is slightly tapered. The nose is wide, black. Jaws strong, correct bite (scissor bite).

The lips are pigmented with a dark color. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark brown. The look is smart, insightful. The ears are small, V-shaped.

• Frame. The neck is of medium length, rather muscular. The body is proportional. The back is straight, the belly is tucked up.

The ribs are mobile. This feature allows the animal to crawl into the hole. The tail is straight, set high, can be docked.

• Extremities. The legs are strong, straight and of medium length. Stand parallel to each other. The dog's movements are free, light, well coordinated.

As for the coat, it is characterized by rigidity and the presence of an undercoat. Fur covers the entire body of the animal. In this case, 3 lengths are allowed.

• Relatively long coat. Usually these pets have pronounced eyebrows, mustaches and beards. For the convenience of the animal itself, in this case, trimming is necessary.
• The coat is of medium length. Such dogs are also trimmed.
• Short coat. Such dogs give the impression of being smooth-haired. They don't need a haircut.

The color of pedigree representatives varies. Occasionally, completely snow-white individuals are found. But more often Parson Russell Terriers are still spotted.

The main color is white. It can be located spots and patterns of brown, red, black in any combination. The number and location of the colored areas are varied, but more often it is the back, tail area, muzzle.

The Parson Russell Terrier is a funny and very energetic doggie. He quickly becomes attached to a person, loves attention, communication. The dog is friendly, does not show aggressiveness, plays with children with pleasure. However, whether a terrier makes friends with other pets depends on the individual case. It is easier for him to find a common language with dogs, but cats can annoy him.

As already said, representatives of this breed need constant movement. They are temperamental, like long walks, active, interesting activities. Therefore, such a dog is recommended only for energetic people. If you do not give your pet the opportunity for physical development he needs, he will suffer.

Dogs are smart, easy to educate. Moreover, they are able to make independent decisions. Of the shortcomings, some cocky dogs can be noted in relation to other dogs. In addition, they are restless mischievous (especially in childhood and adolescence).

This breed is distinguished by good health and good immunity. This explains the rather long life span of animals. On average, these dogs live from 13 to 16 years. Of course, a lot depends on good nutrition and care.

If you want to buy a purebred puppy, it is better to contact trusted breeders. It is important to know the conditions in which the puppies are kept. It is advisable to check the authenticity of the documents. If possible, you should get to know the mother of the babies, evaluate her appearance and health.

When choosing a pet, you should give preference strong and energetic individuals. It is better not to take thin puppies. The same applies to the most well-fed. Be sure to find out what vaccinations have already been given to the animals.

The puppy's nose should be moist and cool.... It is also worth paying attention to the mucous membranes. They should be light pink, but not too pale. The coat should be silky. Docked tail is preferred.

The Parson Russell Terrier feels great in the house or in the apartment. But on the street, even in an insulated booth, the dog will be uncomfortable. Moreover, if you live in the middle lane, a harsh winter can be fatal for your pet.

Representatives of this breed are compact, do not take up much space. In addition, they are clean, do not have a "doggy" smell, almost do not shed.

If the dog cannot use all of its irrepressible energy in the fresh air, it can start bullying at home. This can be expressed in damage to furniture or some things, noisy fuss, obsession.

The urban alternative is dedicated walking areas. In summer, the pet will be happy to travel with the owners to the dacha, picnics, and go on hikes. At home, he must definitely equip a cozy corner with a comfortable couch. It is also recommended to buy toys for the dog so that at any time she can keep herself busy.

The breed does not require any special care. Animals almost never shed. If the pet is short-haired, it is enough to brush it every week using a stiff brush. If the hair is of medium length or more, a haircut is required. Most dog breeders turn to specialists for this.

Despite the fact that such dogs are rather light in color, they do not need frequent washing... Pet hair is cleaned naturally. In this regard, water procedures are carried out only in case of severe pollution. Also, females should be washed after estrus ends.

Mandatory hygiene measures include regular examination of the ears and eyes of the animal. If necessary, clean them with a cotton swab dipped in veterinary lotion. You can also use chamomile infusion.

Dogs are taught to brush their teeth from an early age. To do this, purchase a special paste and a brush in a specialized store. The procedure is carried out at least twice a week. Don't forget about claw trimming.

To keep your pet healthy, it is important to maintain it with proper nutrition, timely vaccination. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are mandatory.

The breed is characterized by increased energy, therefore, food should be sufficiently high in calories and balanced. Almost half of the diet should be proteins, because daily physical activity requires strong muscles. At the same time, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and fiber are also necessary for the normal functioning of the digestive tract and the excellent well-being of the pet.

If the owner decided to feed the dog with natural food, he should include in the menu beef, turkey, offal... Chicken and pork will not work in this case. They can even trigger allergies and indigestion. To strengthen the muscles of the jaws, animals are given bones. Saltwater fish can be included in the diet, but only after the elimination of fins and bones.

Porridge is good for dogs. In particular, rice, buckwheat and oatmeal are good. The best option is a mixture of boiled cereals with meat or fish. Also, a pet can get vitamins from vegetables. The latter are given both raw and processed (boiled, stewed). Sometimes you can delight the dog with an apple or a pear.

Parson Russell Terriers are pretty smart. They perfectly understand commands, but excessive independence, activity and eccentricity prevent them from being ideal students. In this regard, the learning process requires patience and firmness of character from the owner.

Funny dogs have a good memory, but quickly lose interest in boring training. To achieve obedience, you must turn learning into fun gameplay. Then the restless pet will show attention, and training will become much more effective.

It is also important to encourage the dog, to praise him for his merits. It is not worth scolding for disobedience, it is better to try to interest the animal. It is better to start training at an early age. The same goes for socialization and mastering the rules of conduct in the house.

Long legs allow the representatives of this breed to run quickly, overcome various obstacles. In this regard, many owners of hunting terriers introduce them to participate in mini-agility. If you are fond of hunting, then the skills to track and catch game should also be developed in the dog from childhood. Instincts are inherent in the animal initially, but only the improvement of abilities will make it a truly valuable assistant in this matter.

You can find out interesting facts about the representatives of this breed from the following video.