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The Parson Russell terrier acquires its name from the famed "hunting Parson", Reverend John
Russell, who loved his foxhunting as much as his preaching, and perhaps....just perhaps...a wee bit
more. He perpetuated the use of a white bodied terrier to compliment the work of his foxhounds
once they had run a fox to ground. The terrier worked the fox in the earth and then, with much skill,
maneuvered and bolted the fox from his lair for another days hunt. Because of the John Russell, this
terrier has carried his name since the late 1800's. The original "fox terrier" and the Parson were one
in the same strain of terrier. The working terrier remained true to the original type while the "Fox
Terrier" went on to kennel club recognition, thus becoming what is known today as the Modern Fox
terrier. The two breeds hardly resemble each other today because of breeders breeding for the
"show ring". This Parson Russell Terrier is "designed" for the hunt and work, and his color,
structure, intelligence and terrier like tenaciousness all play a role in his ability to do the job that he
was intended for. The Parson is used today in Hunt Service and still works along side the terrierman
and faces fearlessly the quarry in the dark, deep bowels of the earth. With years of this hunting
prowess having been bred into the Parson, it stands to reason that the breed is highly active and still
maintains a high prey drive, and understanding the breed is a must. before acquiring one.
In 2000 the AKC accepted the Parson Russell Terrier into the registry with terriers being able to
compete for AKC Championship points.
Russell, who loved his foxhunting as much as his preaching, and perhaps....just perhaps...a wee bit
more. He perpetuated the use of a white bodied terrier to compliment the work of his foxhounds
once they had run a fox to ground. The terrier worked the fox in the earth and then, with much skill,
maneuvered and bolted the fox from his lair for another days hunt. Because of the John Russell, this
terrier has carried his name since the late 1800's. The original "fox terrier" and the Parson were one
in the same strain of terrier. The working terrier remained true to the original type while the "Fox
Terrier" went on to kennel club recognition, thus becoming what is known today as the Modern Fox
terrier. The two breeds hardly resemble each other today because of breeders breeding for the
"show ring". This Parson Russell Terrier is "designed" for the hunt and work, and his color,
structure, intelligence and terrier like tenaciousness all play a role in his ability to do the job that he
was intended for. The Parson is used today in Hunt Service and still works along side the terrierman
and faces fearlessly the quarry in the dark, deep bowels of the earth. With years of this hunting
prowess having been bred into the Parson, it stands to reason that the breed is highly active and still
maintains a high prey drive, and understanding the breed is a must. before acquiring one.
In 2000 the AKC accepted the Parson Russell Terrier into the registry with terriers being able to
compete for AKC Championship points.
| A Little History of the Parson Russell Terrier |
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