Living With the Russell Terrier

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, February 2013 issue.

Living With the Russell Terrier

The appeal of the Russell Terrier, AKC’s newest and usually smallest of the terrier group breeds is undeniable. They are very cute, exhibiting a merry outlook and friendly nature in the company of their owners and handlers. Their intelligent expression and relatively mild demeanor catch the attention of nearly everyone in the ringside and they are usually crowd favorites in whatever venue you find them. From the old days of racing, to earth dog, lure coursing, weight pull, rally, agility, obedience and conformation they approach competition and indeed everyday life with enthusiasm and a lively sense of adventure. They are great fun, whether day to day around the house (and for those lucky enough, around the farm) or in training and competing, they are cheerful and loyal. They are extremely intelligent and have great problem solving ability. They are devoted to their people and can be happy doing just about anything the people choose to do, although remaining quiet on the sidelines when the kids play “ball” sports may be a tall order for them.

They can be included in almost any activity and are happiest when allowed to share activities with their humans. They are keen observers of family life and pick up on nuances missed by other dogs. You can’t, for instance rattle the keys and expect them to bounce to the door if you don’t have on your shoes. They adore farm life and in particular a life shared with horses. They enjoy being a member of the workforce. The Russell retains much of its original talent as a fox-bolter, rat and mouse catcher and all around vermin exterminator. They have a strong prey drive and lightning quick reflexes. They can catch mice in midair. They are tenacious when “on the hunt” much to the dismay of the owners of newly paneled tack rooms, lake cottages, sheds and anywhere else where access to mice in walls needs to be “improved”. They never forget where they have buried a treat or where they have left a toy. As a rule they are not a “hyperactive” terrier but they do need exercise.

They are not usually guilty of compulsive behavior, the “there’s the ball, throw the ball, throw the ball” insistence that is seen in many other dogs so they can be bored with the repetitious demands. They are quick to figure out the easy way to do something and can often add their own twist to a boring training exercise. They are both food driven and creative at the same time, so training with food as reward can create more problems than simply praising the job well done. Avoiding unwanted behavior is much easier than untraining it. The Russell is a hardy dog for all his small size and he can go out in almost any weather with his double coat, whether smooth, broken or rough. Principally being a wash and wear sort of low maintenance grooming subject. Only those rough coated dogs headed for the show ring need to be hand stripped; the broken coats and smooths need a bit of judicious tidying for the ring; all needing very little grooming for life on the farm or in the household. He is a dog with few health problems and can be expected to live a long life, well into his late teens. The exception is the unfortunate circumstances of life on the farm where his natural bravado can cause him to come to grief.

This bravado should make the Russell owner cautious about unsupervised Russells allowed in with larger dogs; even though they are usually good with other dogs, they can have a spark of possessiveness or jealousy resulting in dreadful consequences. The Russell has disproportionately large teeth that require regular cleaning. If begun in puppyhood this can be done at home. But the large molars and teeth behind them may require attention from the vet. Pedicures make up the other part of the maintenance of the Russell, again, if begun in puppyhood, this not much of an issue. For all his hardiness and his engaging “big dog” attitude in his little dog body the Russell is not the dog for everyone. His small size is deceiving, given so many small dogs are bred to be “comfort” dogs. He remains a working minded terrier with an ego to match. His very pragmatic viewpoint on life tells him every pack must have a leader and if the humans are not up to the task he will try to take over for himself. The rules of the household must be firm, fair and consistent, with the dog’s role clearly defined. If the people in charge are not willing to be the pack leaders and exercise authority in any and all situations, the Russell is not the right dog for them.

The Russell is not the dog for someone who wants to leave responsibility at the office and come home to just “cuddle” with the little dog. Serious behavior problems arise when owners unintentionally reward escalating dominance behavior in the little dog. The Russell is very protective of his home, territory and even the family vehicle. His big teeth and no back-down demeanor may require discipline in this area as well. He must never be allowed to choose whether to surrender a toy or food or any other “prize”, but must always give in to his owner’s demands. The relationship must be firmly established early on and then can mature into one of the most rewarding that ones that you can have. My Russells go with me everywhere as they have since Badger came to me from England in 1980; they are a source of constant amusement and pride. So, if being “bossy” doesn’t make you uncomfortable, and your lifestyle includes doing stuff with your dog, the Russell terrier is probably one breed of dog you should consider; this is especially true if you’d like a big dog attitude within a little dog package.