The Parson Russell Terrier is a courageous and astute canine, quick enough to keep up with horses and fearless enough to dig in and rouse a fox from its den. PRTs are independent thinkers who have their own methods for approaching problems. PRTs weigh 13’17 pounds and have a height of 12’15” at the shoulder when they are at their best. PRTs have the endearing appearance of a plush toy come to life because of their intelligent expression, primarily white coat, and exquisitely balanced body. PRTs are strong little fellows created for England’s traditional sport of foxhunting, so don’t be misled by all that cuteness. They can burrow into the ground to free a fox from his den because they are brave enough to do it and swift enough to keep up with the hounds.
Parson Russell Terrier
friendly / clever / athletic
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
14 inches (male)
13 inches (female)
Weight
13-17 pounds
Life Expectancy
13-15 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Parson Russell Terrier
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
The vast majority of Parsons are exceptionally healthy dogs, and ethical breeders check their stock for diseases including patellar luxation (loose kneecaps), congenital deafness, late-onset ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia, and specific eye abnormalities. Buyers of puppies should always demand proof of the sire and dam of a litter's screenings.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Patella Evaluation
- BAER Testing
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The Parson Russell Terrier has two different coat types: broken (rough) and smooth. Regular brushing is necessary for both; the smooth should be done with a thick brush or hound glove, and the rough should be done with a pin or slicker brush. To prevent longer hairs from clumping together in rough coats, plucking or clipping will be necessary. Unless the Parson acts in accordance with his nature and ends up digging in the mud, a monthly bath should be sufficient. The Parson's nails should be filed down once a month, and his ears should be examined weekly for wax buildup and dirt and cleansed as necessary.
Exercise
The Parson Russell Terrier breed makes for a playful, friendly, and fun-loving companion. They have a fantastic sense of humor and are constantly eager to participate in events. They are also highly active terriers with strong hunting instincts, so it is advised to keep them on a leash when going on trips rather than allowing them run free where the impulse to go on a chase could be overwhelming. A long walk through the woods where he could investigate each hole and smell each tree trunk would be the highlight of a pet Parson's perfect day. Playtime in the backyard can be considered exercise. The dog for someone who is reasonably active is a Parson. He won't be content to sit in the corner by himself for a long time.
Training
Consistency, a soft voice, and a great sense of humor are necessary for training the Parson Russell Terrier. Little puppies are intelligent, vivacious, and happy-go-lucky, and they become bored rapidly, therefore training sessions must be entertaining. The best results come from positive training techniques that emphasize rewarding desired behavior with praise and rewards. When it comes to canine sports that call for intellect, speed, and agility, the Parson Russell is a fantastic option. He is fantastic with kids if properly socialized, but he won't put up with mistreatment.
Nutrition
The Parson Russell Terrier should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
History
In the 1800s, the Parson Russell Terrier was created in the south of England to hunt fox both above and below the surface. The Reverend John “The Sporting Parson” Russell, who loved both his ministry and hunting dogs, inspired the name of the breed. His terriers were developed to work with foxhounds in the hunt for the cunning fox. PRTs can still have separate thoughts about how to approach problems because Russell designed them to be self-sufficient problem solvers.
