Meet the Parson Russell Terrier: Bold and friendly, athletic and clever
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Athletic, alert, and made for movement, the Parson Russell Terrier was bred by the Reverend John Russell in England for foxhunting. It’s the longer-legged cousin of the (Jack) Russell and is built for speed and endurance. With a rough or smooth coat and a balanced silhouette, this breed is fearless, intelligent, and packed with energy. Parsons are agile, trainable, and great in active households—but they need structure and jobs to avoid channeling their talents into trouble.
Remember, Parsons are supposed to be medium-boned. Why, then, are so many exhibitors and/or their handlers grooming the dogs to look like they are heavyboned? Forget for a moment the fact that they should never be heavy-boned; the Breed Standard specifically states that “sculpturing is to be severely penalized.” Also, the Standard says, “Whether smooth or broken, a double coat of good sheen, naturally harsh, close and dense…” I guarantee that you cannot see a good sheen or a harsh natural coat when it is full of chalk and hair spray. Furthermore, “a clean outline with only a hint of eyebrows and beard if natural to the coat” is a far cry from trying to duplicate the furnishings of a Wire Fox Terrier. Soft, silky, wooly coats are to be faulted because these types of coats would provide little protection to the dog while working; however, a judge cannot identify these faults readily when the coat is full of products. Of course, all dogs have shortcomings, and it is the exhibitor’s job to minimize the appearance of shortcomings, but it is the breeder’s job to breed for strengths. Hiding unacceptable coat types in the ring does not eliminate them from the gene pool. The blame here lays with the exhibitor or handler, not the judge.
“Judging the Parson Russell Terrier” by Pat Hastings SHOWSIGHT March 2012
Please visit showsightmagazine.com to learn more about the Parson Russell Terrier.