Russell Terrier

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Russell Terrier Profile

The Russell Terrier is a small, agile, brave, principally white-bodied terrier that is known for fox hunting and other small animals. Referred as the “Pudden-Dog” shorter-legged and longer-bodied, or a “Shortie”. The Jack Russell Terrier comes in two distinct variations: the long-legged version and the short-legged version. Short-legged Jack Russells are often called "Shorties" and are recognized with the AKC-FSS as the Russell Terrier or Jack Russell Terriers. Meanwhile, the long-legged variation is called the  Parson Jack Russell Terrier. They are both small dogs and can be a variety of wiry, smooth, and multicolored coats. They are predominantly white, with patches of brown and black, often covering part of the face. They are sturdy and muscular, well adapted to work hard. Russell Terriers often work so hard and are unafraid that a farmer gauged his terriers on his farm to live only about 6 years. Otherwise, living in a normal household, the Russell Terrier can live as long as 16 years. At work the Russell Terriers are a game hunter, tenacious and courageous. At home they are playful, exuberant and overwhelmingly affectionate. The Russell Terrier is an independent and energetic terrier and requires their due portion of attention. They are highly energetic, interactive and love to play with children. The Russell Terrier is the ideal breed for a fun-loving family seeking a hard working little dog.

Other Names: Shortie, Puddin Dog, Jack Russell Terrier(FCI)

Type: Terrier

Height: 9 - 12 inches.
Weight: 9 - 15 lbs.

Colors: Predominantly white with tan, black or brown markings. Patches of color often appear on the main body, tail, and head. Ears are often colored, with a blaze up the front of the face. At least 51% of the body should be white.
Coat: Russell Terrier coats can be rough, smooth or broken (very short wire).
Body Outline: Rectangular

Temperament: Russell Terriers are very vocal, alert, lively and bold. They are very affectionate and playful with family, and love attention. They require training or a job, as they need adequate exercise. They are very energetic and can be very excitable. Russell Terriers can be scrappy with other dogs, but can be socialized and trained to be okay with other pets. They are friendly, courageous and do not like backing down from a fight. They are intelligent and stubborn. If trained well, this breed can harness all of its energy into training and become very obedient and worthwhile, but otherwise they are difficult to train, with the typical terrier stubbornness.

With Children: Yes, especially active children.
With Pets: Will chase anything small that moves. They also may be scrappy with other dogs or pets. Socialization is needed to be okay with other animals.
Special Skills: Hunting dog and family pet.

Watch-Dog: High. They are very alert and vocal when suspecting something unusual.
Guard-Dog: Low. These dogs are rather friendly and not big enough to defend.

Russell Terrier Care and Training: The Russell Terrier needs minimal brushing of their coat. Bathe only when necessary. Russell Terriers should receive daily exercise or outdoor activity. If not given consistent exercise, training, or a job to do, the Jack Russell can become destructive and edgy if confined. Early firm training is necessary to prevent a hyperactive dog.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - Low. Problem Solving - High.

Activity: High.
Special Needs: Attention, exercise, job or activity to do, socialization and training.
Living Environment: Russell Terriers will do well in an apartment if exercised or in a house with a fenced back yard. Russell Terrier love room to play and run. Russell Terriers have quite a lot of energy; any potential owner should be aware of the Russell's exercise and activity needs.

Russell Terrier Health: Russell Terrier can suffer from dislocated kneecaps (luxating patellas), eye problems, deafness, and Legg-Perthes disease, a disease of the hip joints.

Life Span: 13 - 15 years.
Litter Size: 4 - 8 puppies.

Country of Origin: Great Britain
Russell Terrier History: In 1819 a fox runner and member of the British Kennel Club by the name of Reverend John Russell came across a terrier who he developed into the Jack Russell Terrier over the course of sixty years until his death at the age of 88. He owned a crossbred terrier by the name of "Trump", which he bred with bull-and-terrier breeds that were used for bull baiting to increase tenacity and aggression towards prey. He then bred in foxhounds, as well as "pocket beagles", which helped in evening out the temper of the breed. John Russell wanted a breed that was small enough to go to ground after a fox, but wouldn't kill the prey. Often times, however, the breed's tenacity overtook their ability to corner the prey, and sometimes Jack Russell Terriers would kill the fox - taking away the sport for the hunters. Over time, however, the breed developed into a dog that could simply corner its prey rather than kill it if told to do so. Some JRTs were bred simply to kill rats as well. Several strains of the breed were developed for different reasons. The long legged Jack (AKA Parson Jack Russell Terrier) were used to hunt, but still be able to follow and keep up with horses. The short-legged Jacks (simply Jack Russell Terrier) were bred to go to ground and follow and corner the prey. It is said that one Englishman and his pack of four Jack Russells cleared out three tons of rats from a chicken farm in one day! Even though there are many variations of the Jack Russell Terrier, the British Kennel Club in 1990 only recognized the Parson Jack Russell Terrier. Although there is much confusion and debate over the breed varieties today, the AKC accepts the long legged version, the Parson Jack Russell Terrier, and it is more popular in the U.S. In the U.K., however, the "shorties" are more popular, and were just recently recognized in 2001 by the UKC. Today both varieties of the breed are highly popular in North America and the United Kingdom.

Class: Terrier
Registries: URT, AKC-FSS 

Russell Terriers

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