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Learn how to judge the Russell Terrier, preserving its original form, agility, and working qualities with correct proportions and movement.
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, February 2013 issue.
The Russell Terrier has arrived. We are thrilled it has been so well received within the ranks of the AKC. It has been described as cute-as-a-button, with a happy, confident character by those who have become enamored with the breed.
But please remember this grand little terrier is far more. We have a mandate to preserve the original form and function of this old working breed. We ask judges to be diligent in helping us preserve their unique qualities. The essence of the Russell Terrier is the size, chest, agility, rectangular silhouette, and proportions.
The Russell Terrier originated in England as a type of fox-working terrier. It garnered the respect of the English fox hunting sportsman during the 1800s because of its prowess in the hunt fields and became renowned all over the world for its unique qualities as the ultimate working earth terrier. It was a predominantly white, agile terrier with courage, nose, and intelligence. When the fox entered the earth, the Russell was used to bolt the fox so the hunt could continue. Its flexible chest allowed it to work efficiently below the ground, able to traverse small tunnels to bolt the fox. The Russell was carried on horseback in terrier bags, requiring a handy size.
Both the Russell and the Parson Russell derived from the Reverend John Russell’s working terriers. Although the two developed into distinctly separate breeds, the difference between the two is very subtle to the novice. Both require the flexible chest and agility required to hunt successfully. The height, proportions, and the slightly rectangular silhouette of the Russell differ from the Parson, making it easier to carry on the hunt in a terrier bag. However, the Russell Terrier should never be so distinctly different in appearance from the Parson as to be short-legged or coarse in bone, head, or substance.
The chest is the hallmark and, without a doubt, the most defining characteristic of the Russell breed. No matter how perfectly conformed the Russell may be, without a small, oval, flexible chest, it will not be able to work efficiently underground. These traits can only be determined by proper spanning. If the chest is excessive in size, inflexible, and incorrectly shaped, efficiency of work is limited. The chest must never fall below the elbow. A deep chest distorts the required proportions and is indicative of undesirable dwarf characteristics.
Many fanciers over the years separated the Parson Russell Terrier and the Russell Terrier, referring to them as being long-legged or short-legged, respectively. However, reference to Russells as “short-legged” is misleading.
The Russell is not a short-legged breed; the standard requires an exact height proportion of 50/50 (withers to the bottom of the brisket should represent 50% of the distance from the withers to the ground). The Russell silhouette is slightly rectangular in appearance when measured from the point of shoulder to the point of buttock, but “slightly” should not translate into long-bodied. The Russell must remain flexible and balanced, with flat, smooth muscle transitions. Overall, the Russell may not show any evidence of dwarf characteristics.
A size from 10″ to 12″ is the standard, based on the requirements for the ideal working terrier; under or over size is a disqualification. Over 12″ encroaches on the Parson Russell Terrier and under 10″ encroaches on dwarfism.
The head shape is a blunted wedge when viewed from the front, with parallel head planes when viewed in profile. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the back skull when measured from the nose to stop and from the stop to the occiput. The ears are small and v-shaped, lying close to the head with the tip coming to the corner of the eye.
The Russell Terrier has three acceptable hair coats: smooth, broken, and rough. All three hair coats must include a harsh outer jacket with a sufficient undercoat to protect them from intense wet weather conditions, rocks, roots, and other debris underground. Linty, soft hair coats lacking undercoat do not provide the Russell with sufficient protection from the cold and wet conditions above or below ground.
The Russell should be presented with minimal grooming. Sculpted furnishings are to be severely penalized.
The Russell gait is a ground-covering, effortless stride exhibiting equal reach and equal drive. The Russell is a parallel-tracking breed, and the down and back movement should be clean. Russells should always be gaited on a loose lead without being strung up.
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