Parson Russell Terrier
Also known as Terrier du révérend Russell, Parson Jack Russell Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 33 to 36 cm
- Weight
- 6 to 8 kg
- Life expectancy
- 13 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- Great Britain
- FCI group
- 3 · Terriers
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 90 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
Overview
A leggy, square and athletic hunting terrier, the Parson Russell Terrier has a smooth or wiry coat that is mostly white in color. Lively, bold and tireless, it has the tenacity of a dog bred to go to ground and a cheerful temperament, and it is deeply attached to its people. It differs from the Jack Russell in its longer legs and its square outline.
History and origins
The breed is named after the Reverend John Russell (1795-1883), a Devon parson with a passion for hunting with hounds, who bred terriers able to keep up with the horses and then bolt the fox from its earth. His white dogs, descended from the old working Fox Terriers, gave rise to two types: the Parson, taller on the leg, and the Jack Russell, lower and longer. The British Kennel Club recognized it in 1990 as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier, renamed Parson Russell Terrier in 1999, and the FCI recognizes it under standard no. 339. In France, it remains far less common than the Jack Russell, with 360 registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025.
Health
Life expectancy is 13 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Primary lens luxation
- Spinocerebellar ataxia
- Deafness
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, wiry coat. Moderate shedding, low coat care. Coat colors: white, white and tan, white and lemon, white and black, tricolor.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With cats
- Avoid, 1 out of 5
- With strangers
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- High, 4 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Frequent, 4 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Parson Russell Terrier FAQ
How big does the Parson Russell Terrier get?
The Parson Russell Terrier stands 33 to 36 cm at the withers and weighs 6 to 8 kg. It is a small dog.
Does the Parson Russell Terrier shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs little care.
Can the Parson Russell Terrier live in an apartment?
It can, as long as it gets real outings every day; a yard is still a plus. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Parson Russell Terrier need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Parson Russell Terrier good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Parson Russell Terrier live?
Life expectancy is 13 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are primary lens luxation and spinocerebellar ataxia.
