The Dog Centre - for professional dog trainers in the UK

Parson Russell Terrier

General Appearance

Workmanlike, active and agile; built for speed and endurance. Overall picture of balance and flexibility. Honourable scars permissible.

  Below Average Above Key
Likelihood to wander     High  
Protectiveness Low      
Destructiveness   Medium    
Quietness Low      
Good with children Low      
Affinity to other dogs Low      
Size   Medium    
Lifespan   Medium   Below: < 10 years
Average: > 10 years
Above: > 15 years
Location   Medium   Below: Town only
Average: Town and Country
Above: Country only

Characteristics

Essentially a working terrier with ability and conformation to go to ground and run with hounds.

Temperament

Bold and friendly.

Head and Skull

Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes. Shallow stop. Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. Nose black.

Eyes

Almond-shaped, fairly deep-set, dark, keen expression.

Ears

Small, V-shaped, dropping forward, carried close to head, tip of ear to reach corner of eye, fold not to appear above top of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.

Mouth

Jaws strong, muscular. Teeth with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening to shoulders.

Forequarters

Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers. Legs strong, must be straight with joints turning neither in nor out. Elbows close to body, working free of the sides.

Body

Ribs not over-sprung. Chest of moderate depth, not to come below point of elbow, capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands. Back strong and straight. Loin slightly arched. Well balanced. Overall length slightly longer than height from withers to ground.

Hindquarters

Strong, muscular with good angulation and bend of stifle. Hocks set low and rear pasterns parallel giving plenty of drive.

Feet

Compact with firm pads, turning neither in nor out.

Tail

Previously customarily docked. Docked: Length complimenting the body while providing a good handhold. Strong, straight, moderately high set, carried well up on the move. Undocked: Of moderate length and as straight as possible, giving a general balance to the dog, thick at the root and tapering towards the end. Moderately high set, carried well up on the move.

Gait

Free-striding, well co-ordinated; straight action front and behind.

Coat

Naturally harsh, close and dense, whether rough or smooth. Belly and undersides coated. Skin must be thick and loose.

Colour

Entirely white or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black markings, or any combination of these colours, preferably confined to the head and/or root of tail.

Size

Most importantly a working terrier should be capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average sized hands. Ideal height at withers: dogs 36 cms (14 ins.), bitches 33 cms (13 ins.) It is recognised that smaller terriers are required for work in certain areas and lower heights are therefore quite acceptable provided that soundness and balance are maintained.

Excercise Requirements

Moderate

Grooming Needs

Light

Notes

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.




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