Parson Russell Terrier

		Parson Russell Terrier
		FCI standard Nº 339

Origin		Great Britain
Group		Group 3 Terriers
Section		Section 1 Large and medium sized Terriers
Working		Working trial optional
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Monday 04 June 2001
Acceptance on a provisional basis by the FCI		Monday 02 July 1990
Publication of the official valid standard		Tuesday 22 August 2017
Last update		Tuesday 17 October 2017
En français, cette race se dit		Parson Russell Terrier
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Parson Russell Terrier
En español, esta raza se dice		Parson Russell Terrier
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Parson Russell Terrier

Usage

Working terrier with ability to go to ground.

Brief historical summary

For many years, great controversy existed in the ranks of the terrier fanciers over a type of terrier called somewhat vaguely ‘the Jack Russell’. Applications were received by the Kennel Club from a considerable number of devotees of a strain of Fox Terriers bred by a Victorian hunting parson, the Reverend John Russell. Eventually this robust and workmanlike type of terrier was recognised and given the breed name – Parson Russell Terrier.

General appearance

Workmanlike, active and agile, without exaggeration. Built for stamina and endurance, overall picture of balance and flexibility. Honourable scars permissible.

Important proportions

Well balanced.
Overall length from point of shoulder to point of buttock slightly longer than height from withers to ground.
Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput.

Behaviour / temperament

Originally a terrier bred to work fox, a confident, energetic and happy dog that has the ability and conformation to go to ground. Bold and friendly.

Head
Cranial region
Head		Head wedge shaped.
Skull		Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes.
Stop		Shallow.

Facial region
Nose		Black.
Jaws and teeth		Jaws strong, muscular. Teeth of a good size and set square to the jaws, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Cheeks		Not prominent.
Eyes		Dark, almond shaped, never prominent. Keen, intelligent expression.
Ears		Size in proportion with the head. V-shaped, dropping forward, tip of ear to be level with outer corner of eye. Fold not above top of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.

Neck

Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening and well set into the shoulders.

Body
Back		Strong, straight and flexible.
Loin		Strong and slightly arched.
Chest		Of moderate depth, not extending below point of elbow. Capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands.
Ribs		Ribs carried well back, not over-sprung nor slab-sided.

Tail

Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Length complementing the body. Strong, preferably straight, moderately high set, carried well up on the move, may be carried lower when relaxed.
Undocked: Of moderated length, preferably straight, giving a general balance to the dog. Thick at the root and tapering towards the tip. Moderately high set, carried well up on the move, may be carried lower when relaxed.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Moderate width between the forelegs, well set under the body.
Shoulders		Long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers.
Upper arm		Of equal length to the shoulder and at such an angle that legs are carried well back under the body, below the point of the withers.
Elbows		Close to body, working free of the sides.
Forearm		Strong and straight, turning neither in nor out. Length of forelegs should be slightly greater than depth of body.
Pastern		Strong and flexible.

Hindquarters
Generality		Strong, muscular, with good angulation.
Lower thigh		Well developed.
Stifle		Good bend of stifle, without exaggeration.
Metatarsus		Parallel, giving plenty of drive.
Hock		Set low.

Feet

Compact with firm pads, toes moderately arched, never flat or open, turning neither in nor out.

Gait and movement

Free-striding, ground covering gait, without exaggeration. Strides should be of good length, never stilted or high-stepping. Hindquarters providing plenty of drive. Well co-ordinated; straight action front and behind.

Skin

Thick and loose.

Coat
Hair		Whether rough, broken or smooth naturally harsh, flat, straight, close and dense with good undercoat. Weather-resistant. Belly and undersides coated. The prepared (i.e. trimmed) coat should appear natural, never clipped.
Colour		White or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black markings, or any combination of these colours. The colour preferably confined to the head and/or root of tail, but a little body colour is acceptable.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Males: Ideal height 36 cms. Females: Ideal height 33 cms. Most importantly soundness and balance should be maintained whilst taking into account that this terrier, bred to work fox, should be capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average sized hands. With these provisos, lower heights are acceptable, however.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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Parson Russell Terrier