Parson Russell Terrier

Temperament

The Parson is a classic terrier: bold, stubborn, quick to act and always ready for action. The standard describes it as bold and friendly, and at home it can indeed be affectionate, cuddly and very attached to its people. Yet it cannot sit still for long: if it does not get a job, it will find one, digging holes in the yard or hunting mice under the deck. Its prey drive is very strong: cats, rabbits and rodents are quarry to it, not company. It usually gets along with other dogs, but it does not back down and may pick a fight with a bigger dog. It learns fast, though it gets bored with repetition just as fast. It loves playing with children, as long as they are older and understand that a terrier does not like being held against its will.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Parson Russell Terrier for?

The Parson is a dog for an energetic person or a family with older children who enjoy being active and doing dog sports and accept terrier stubbornness. It also does well in a country home, where it will have plenty to do. Do not choose it if you have cats or rodents, want a calm dog for a downtown apartment, or do not have time for daily training.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Parson needs at least an hour to an hour and a half of activity a day, ideally varied: brisk walks, fetch, search games and, for the keen, agility, flyball or earthdog. A daily dose of mental work, such as trick training or scent toys, cuts down on destructiveness at home. The yard must be very secure, because a Parson can both jump over a fence and dig under it. On walks in areas with wildlife, a long line is safer, and recall training should start on day one. Grooming depends on the coat: a smooth dog needs only a weekly once-over with a grooming mitt, while a rough-coated dog needs hand-stripping 2–3 times a year to keep the coat hard and weatherproof. Base training on short, lively sessions and play. Watch the weight: a Parson should be lean and springy.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Parson Russell Terrier is a long-lived breed: the AKC gives 13–15 years, and in a British study the median was 13.8 years. The US breed club lists eye disease, luxating patella and deafness, recommending eye exams, a patella check and the BAER hearing test. The UK Kennel Club adds a DNA test for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), an inherited neurological disease that disrupts coordination and appears in young dogs. Terriers also often suffer injuries that come with their temperament, such as bites from fights with other dogs or injuries during frantic chases. Keep up regular eye checks throughout the dog's life.

• eye diseases (including lens luxation)The breed club lists eye disease among the main problems; regular eye exams are recommended.
• luxating patellaA slipping kneecap shows up as occasional hopping on three legs.
• deafnessMostly white dogs can be born deaf; the BAER test detects it.
• spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)An inherited neurological disease that disrupts coordination; a DNA test is available.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed owes its name to the Reverend John Russell, a Victorian clergyman and keen hunter who in the 19th century bred a line of fox terriers in Devon that worked with a mounted pack. The dogs had to keep up with the horses and then go to ground and bolt the fox, so athleticism, courage and a small chest mattered. For many years there were disputes over the terriers loosely called "Jack Russells", until the UK Kennel Club finally recognized the taller, square type under the name Parson Russell Terrier. The FCI now keeps two separate breeds: the taller Parson and the shorter, rectangular Jack Russell Terrier.

Fun facts

• The standard specifies that a Parson used for fox work should be spannable behind the shoulders by average-sized hands.
• The FCI standard gives an ideal height, 36 cm for males and 33 cm for females, rather than a range.
• The Parson's tail used to be docked by custom; in countries that ban docking it is left natural.
• The breed is named after the Reverend John Russell, a 19th-century clergyman and hunter from Devon.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 339 – Parson Russell Terrier (PDF)fci.be
2. 2AKC – Parson Russell Terrierakc.org
3. 3Royal Kennel Club – Parson Russell Terrierroyalkennelclub.com
4. 4McMillan et al. 2024, Longevity of companion dog breeds (Scientific Reports)nature.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.