In the U.S. the AKC recently changed their recognition of the Jack Russel Terrier, to the Parson Russel Terrier. I had assumed this was the same dog, new name. Now I have come across information to indicate it is in fact a separate breed? I'm confused. Can someone explain the difference between a Jack Russel and a Parsons Russell Terrier?
Lol...about £300!! Seriously, the Parson Russell Terrier generally stands at about 13 or 14" at the shoulder and is a recognised breed..ie it conforms to a blueprint or breed standard for the breed. http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/gm72/ In reality..most Jack Russells are a mix of other breeds, i find at the Vets, anything small and predominantly white..people call a JRT. Jacks are generally smaller about 8-10". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Russell_Terrier http://doggiewoggie.com/dog-breeds/jack-russell-terrier/ Holly is a full pedigree PRT (she has wonky ears and couldnt be shown) But..Milly (first pic) and Jack (second pic) would also come under the banner of Jack Russell..
as abbey has said jrts are a mixture and prts are not. prts have longer legs i have got both and people alwaysask me why some have long legs and the others are short. Well as i say to them some are a pedigree breed and and the others are not as they are jrt. if you go to the kennel club sit it will give you the standard for the parson russell. here is a pic of all my babies see if you can tell which are jrts and prts.. just for fun http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m223/sjpurt/sjpurt3.jpg
I used to breed parson russells and in my book those with a normal length of leg would be considered a parson and those with short legs a jack. From what I've seen in the dog world where jacks are recognised separately this seems to be the case. I believe the FCI and Australia recognise both parsons and jacks. Becky
As the others have said the jack russells have the shorter legs and the Parsons the longer. The Parsons are the original terriers, they were first bred in the UK by a reverend called Jack Russell...hence the name They were bred for hunting & rat catching etc, people bred from the shorter legged ones to develop a smaller dog that could fit into holes of rabbits, foxes or rats. My Toby is Parson Russell, here is a picture of him...mind you he's no hunter i've seen him standing watching rabbits run about
You're lucky not to get a hunter, mine specialised, Winston, anything that moved (spent 7 hours down a badger sett ) Muffit loved moles and Polly was a small rodent and bird specialist! Becky
sounds like they all had a specialist subject...my previous dog penny (a cross russell something) had a thing for birds!
Jack (we didnt name him that ) is a rescue, he was our rabbit exterminator in his day (at 9y old and his abusive past catching up with him means he will chase them but can no longer catch them)..Milly, again a rescue, isnt fast enough to catch anything on these little legs and often sits in the basket with a parrot next to her..Holly is our mole/rabbit catcher..unless of course she finds a baby 'anything' in which case she brings it back in her mouth, then sits on top of it trying to feed it..she used to sit with the baby guinea pigs and lick them, but would wind the adults up by dancing around them! Becky (Border Terrier) likes to chase rabbits but has never caught one..we took her terrier racing and every other dog came flying out the trap, whilst Becky sat there yawning...hmmmmm...
They all sound such characters LOL at Becky at the terrier racing....now theres a dog that knows her own mind
Hmmm...knowing her own mind..that would probably take a degree of effort..sleep...eat..that's what's on Becky's mind!!!
I don't mind either 'type' to be honest I'm not sure what the KC will do though, anyone think they'll be accepted as separate breeds here? Becky
"the Kennel club finally agreed to recognise the Parson jack russell terrier on january 9th 1990 it was neccesary to provide substantiated pedigree's of 2 1/2 generations for eacch terrier on the foundation register. The names of the parson jack russells on the foundation register were tranfered to the kennel club register stock decended from those terriers may be registered with the kennel club if their parents are. on 1st august 1999 the kennel club agreed to change the name to the 'Parson Russell terrier" basically to highlight the difference between the Jack russell and the foxing terrier from the 19th century." from parson russell terrier club introduction Parsons I think are traceable as far back as the 1860's so someone would have a lot of work to do to get the smaller jack russell recognised by the kennel club.
Ah but the difference here is that they are recognised in other countries, say I imported some from Australia and set up a breeding program, what would the KC do then, they'd have to accept it as they would any 'new' breed! Becky
hi no only three are prts the black and white is a jrt and the tan and white half face is a jrt the other are prts hun. the little one you thought was a jrt is my baby she is 9mths old now and her mum is lottie the nearly all white no markings. love your pics
Heres a start: The Parson Russell Terrier Breed Profile: The Parson Russell Terrier was the first Kennel Club recognized variant of the Jack Russell terrrier, first drawn into the UK Kennel Club in 1990, and into the American Kennel Club in 2001. The Parson Russell: There are many reasons that I am attracted to the Parson variant of terrier. Firstly they are of Bold character and fierece courage. An extrovert; fearless; tough and feisty character are amongst his traits. But simultaniously he is gentle and loving with those he knows and with smaller dogs and puppies. A big dog in a small body; many have and LDS complex (Little Dog Syndrome) and often bite of more than they can chew, but will equally fight their corner.Parsons tend to be level headed and abl to judge am equally matched opponant and will recover from many a kerfuffle; pretty unscathed. They will defend their master to the end and are forthright and worthy companions to any woodsman or household. They make excellent house dogs; although can be destructive and wiley if not occupied enough. They thrive on a fast paced life; enjoying agility and hunting activities, can be taught many tricks and are as happy curled up on a lap as wandering the woods and fields alonmgside their master. HISTORY: Reference: Jean and Frank Jackson-Parson Russell Terriers-An owners companion. The founder of the modern day Parson Russell terrier breed was Parson Jack Russell/Reverand John Russell (known by either name) from whom the breed takes it's name. Parsons being derived from The Reverand John Russells terriers themselves; a distinctive breed from the Wire Haired Fox terriers of the time; were starting to find favour in the show ring at the time of his death in 1883 (28th April). During his long career as a breeder the Parson remained faithful to theolder type of Fox terrier.This dog was capable of running with hounds; amicable and intelligent; it though lacked the elegance required of the show ring. It was predominantly white and the Parson chose to retain this trait- which we still see in the modern day descendants of his breed. He refined the breed and made the breed consistant in its type; whilst remaining faithful to the old type of terrier he was so fond of in his youth. The basis for the strain was the Parsons bitch Trump; who he brought in 1819 whilst a student at Oxford. After being ordained he returned to his native Devon and set to work with the church. He would never again live outside Devon and for 64 years; developed the strain of Parsons terrier using terriers found in hunt kennels and other Fox terrier breeders; whilst persuing his passion for hunting. He was doing that which many others were doing up and down the country; breeding a terrier type for the purpose of his sport.(Can Expand this to incorparate other Terrier strains of uk)
Interesting, i can see a lot of those traits in Toby, he certainly has Little Dog Syndrome - my friend Laura has two Northern Inuits and he insits on wanting to be in charge of their little gang - Tikaani lets him but Brodie is not keen on the idea and she and Toby have a couple of Kerfuffles He loves long walks but is also perfectly happy at home messing about in the garden and snoozing on the settee. He has never ever been distructive though and i would feel happy leaving him anywhere and know he wouldn't touch anything. His main problem though is he is not totally fearless, he has a real fear of gunshots and loud bangs (even car doors shutting loudly make him think he's about to be shot), he would bolt at one time but now have managed to stop him doing this. Love him to bits, he is indeed a true character
MINE ALSO HATES FIREWORKS-GUNSHOT OR THUNDER!!!! My brand new suede sofa was shredded when I first got Bob-and the two across the road are the best house dogs I've ever met- reckon they could hear a pin drop....
Short legs are derived from John Cowley's terriers used for bringing foxes in. But all are descendants of fox terrier types....
