A brief history & description of the Russell Terrier
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| Reverend John Russell |
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| The Jack Russell Terrier originated in England in the 1800’s due to the efforts of the Reverend John Russell. He developed a strain of Fox Terriers to suit his needs for a dog to run with his foxhounds and go to ground to bolt the fox and other quarry from their dens. The Reverend’s fox working terriers evolved into two distinctly separate breeds, the Parson Russell Terrier and the much smaller Russell Terrier. This smaller version of fox working terrier was developed to work in the hunt fields in England, because of their size they could be more easily transported in terrier bags on horseback and work in smaller earthen dens in more rugged terrain. The Russell Terrier’s handy size, small flexible chest, short legs, nose, strong voice and fearless nature made them excellent workers below ground bolting fox. Russell Terriers are the ultimate working earth terrier.
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Conformation
The AKC Russell Terrier has a slightly longer than tall, rectangular appearance and is well balanced with legs being 50% of the overall height measured at the withers. The ideal size is 10" - 12" tall and their weight should be proportionate to their height meaning ideally they should weigh within 1 pound of their height. They have straight forelegs and a flexible chest, the tail may be docked or natural.
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| "Cricket" is a tan & white smooth coat |
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| "Carter" is a broken coat tricolor |
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Coat Type
Coats of the Russell Terrier may be smooth, broken or rough. All coat types must have a dense weatherproof jacket i.e. a good under coat as well as a harsh outer coat. Weatherproof coats provide protection from weather as well as injury from brambles and brush.
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Color
The Russell Terrier is predominantly white with various spots of black, brown, tan, cream & tri. The acceptable range of color is consistent with the origin of the breed. There are no acceptable variations of solid colored, black & tan or brindle Russell Terriers defined in the Russell Terrier standard.
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| "Penny Lane" is a tan & white rough coat |
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Temperament
The Russell Terriers should be bold and fearless, quietly confident yet friendly. They are lively, alert and active terriers with a keen, intelligent expression. Russell Terriers are gregarious at play and brave when working in the field, caring not what is asked of them. Russell Terriers are never to be aggressive or quarrelsome, they are not a sparring breed.
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Patti Bradford
2022 Grove Street
Baldwin, NY 11510
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