PARSON RUSSELL TERRIER

APPEARANCE
The Parson Russell Terrier is a small but sturdy dog. He has a compact yet athletic build and an alert expression. The Parson Russell Terrier has two varieties of coat: Broken and Smooth. Either coat is a double coat that is harsh, close, dense, glossy, and straight. The coloring of the Parson Russell Terrier is white with markings that can be brown, tan, black, or tri-colored. The Parson Russell Terrier weighs in at 12-17 pounds and the height of these dogs is around 13-15 inches.

PERSONALITY
Parson Russell Terrier is a bold and energetic happy go lucky terrier. He is fearless and will take on a dog five times his size if he feels like it. These dogs are playful, love to be part of family activities, and are very affectionate. They also have a strong independent streak. The Parson Russell Terrier does need plenty of exercise and activity, but due to his inquisitive nature he needs to be kept in a safe and secured area whenever he is not on a leash. The Parson Russell Terrier breed is not recommended for first time dog owners.

TRAINING
This breed is best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership. With praise and reward based training methods the Parson Russell Terrier can do very well in obedience, however you will need a lot of patience and consistency with this breed while training. This breed requires a dominant handler. Training must be done with firmness, fairness, and consistency.

EXERCISE
A highly active breed, the Parson Russell Terrier requires an inordinate amount of exercise and activity. As long as it has space to run, play and hunt, the Parson Russell Terrier, having a high energy level, gets enough exercise on its own, though it will benefit from regular training sessions and some games.

SOCIALIZATION
He will get along well with children that are gentle and considerate, and will usually get along fine with strangers. However, the Parson Russell Terrier can be aggressive with other dogs, and his high prey drive means that he may chase smaller animals and move in for the kill. He will terrorize the cat and make lunch of the pet rabbit. They should never be left unsupervised with another Parson Russell Terrier, as this could result in tragic consequences.

LIVING CONDITIONS
This breed does not do well in an apartment if left alone for extended periods of time. They do best with a securely fenced yard, provided the fencing is buried into the ground and of sufficient height to contain these diggers and jumpers. Because this breed likes to explore on its own, it needs to have access to safe running grounds, lest it has the tendency to dig holes that it can get trapped in, among other possibilities.

GROOMING
The grooming requirements for the Parson Russell Terrier can vary depending on whether he has a broken coat or a smooth coat. For the broken coat brushing is required once weekly, and his coat may need to be clipped every few months. The dead coat will need to be stripped every few months for show dogs. The smooth coated variety is more low maintenance, and his coat simply needs to be brushed occasionally to keep it looking good. These dogs are medium shedders, and do shed all year round.

HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Parson Russell Terrier is around 13-16 years, and although generally a hardy and health breed there are a few health problems to look out for. Parson Russell Terrier’s are prone to such health issues as Legg-Perthes, eye disease, and deafness.

HISTORY
The Parson Russell Terrier was formally known as the Jack Russell Terrier. Originating in 19th century England, the Parson Russell Terrier was used to hunt small game, particularly fox. This breed was registered with the AKC in 1998.

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