Note: The name of the Jack Russell Terrier was changed to the Parson Russell
Terrier effective April 1, 2003 as requested by the Jack Russell Terrier
Association of America, which was changed to the Parson Russell Terrier
Association of America.
Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Parson Russell Terrier was developed in the south of England in the
1800's as a white terrier to work European red fox both above and below
ground. The terrier was named for the Reverend John Russell, whose terriers
trailed hounds and bolted foxes from dens so the hunt could ride on. To
function as a working terrier, he must possess certain characteristics: a
ready attitude, alert and confident; balance in height and length; medium in
size and bone, suggesting strength and endurance. Important to breed type is
a natural appearance: harsh, weatherproof coat with a compact construction
and clean silhouette. The coat is broken or smooth. He has a small, flexible
chest to enable him to pursue his quarry underground and sufficient length
of leg to follow the hounds. Old scars and injuries, the result of honorable
work or accident, should not be allowed to prejudice a terrier's chance in
the show ring, unless they interfere with movement or utility for work or
breeding.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--Both sexes are properly balanced between 12" and 14" at the withers.
The ideal height of a mature dog is 14" at the withers, and bitches 13".
Terriers whose heights measure either slightly larger or smaller than the
ideal are not to be penalized in the show ring provided other points of
their conformation, especially balance and chest span, are consistent with
the breed standard. The weight of a terrier in hard working condition is
usually between 13 - 17 lbs. Proportion Balance is the keystone of the
terrier's anatomy. The chief points of consideration are the relative
proportions of skull and foreface, head and frame, height at withers and
length of body. The height at withers is slightly greater than the distance
from withers to tail, i.e. by possibly 1 to 1½ inches on a 14 inch dog. The
measurement will vary according to height, the ratio of height to back being
approximately 6:5. Substance--The terrier is of medium bone, not so heavy as
to appear coarse or so light as to appear racy. The conformation of the
whole frame is indicative of strength and endurance. Disqualification Height
under 12" or over 15".
Head
Head--Strong and in good proportion to the rest of the body, so the
appearance of balance is maintained. Expression--Keen, direct, full of life
and intelligence. Eyes--Almond shaped, dark in color, moderate in size, not
protruding. Dark rims are desirable. Ears--Button ear. Small "V" shaped drop
ears of moderate thickness carried forward close to the head with the tip so
as to cover the orifice and pointing toward the eye. Fold is level with the
top of the skull or slightly above. When alert, ear tips do not extend below
the corner of the eye. Skull--Flat and fairly broad between the ears,
narrowing slightly to the eyes. The stop is well defined but not prominent.
Muzzle--Length from nose to stop is slightly shorter than the distance from
stop to occiput. Jaws--Upper and lower are of fair and punishing strength.
Nose--Must be black and fully pigmented. Bite-- Teeth are large with
complete dentition in a perfect scissors bite, i.e., upper teeth closely
overlapping the lower teeth and teeth set square to the jaws. Faults--Light
or yellow eye, round eye. Hound ear, fleshy ear, rounded tips.
Disqualifications--Prick ears. Liver color nose. Four or more missing teeth.
Overshot, under-shot or wry mouth.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--Clean and muscular, moderately arched, of fair length, gradually
widening so as to blend well into the shoulders. Topline-- Strong, straight,
and level in motion, the loin slightly arched. Body--in overall length to
height proportion, the dog appears approximately square and balanced. The
back is neither short nor long. The back gives no appearance of slackness
but is laterally flexible, so that he may turn around in an earth. Tuck-up
is moderate. Chest--Narrow and of moderate depth, giving and athletic rather
than heavily-chested appearance; must be flexible and compressible. The ribs
are fairly well sprung, oval rather than round, not extending past the level
of the elbow. Tail--Set high, strong, carried gaily but not over the back or
curled. Docked so the tip is approximately level to the skull, providing a
good handhold. Faults--Chest not spannable or shallow; barrel ribs. Tail set
low or carried over the back, i.e., squirrel tail.
Forequarters
Shoulders--Long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at the withers.
Point of shoulder sits in a plane behind the point of the prosternum. The
shoulder blade and upper arm are of approximately the same length; forelegs
are placed well under the dog. Elbows-- hang perpendicular to the body,
working free of the sides. Legs are strong and straight with good bone.
Joints turn neither in nor out. Pasterns--firm and nearly straight. Feet--
Round, cat-like, very compact, the pads thick and tough, the toes moderately
arched pointing forward, turned neither in nor out. Fault--Hare feet.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular, smoothly molded, with good angulation and bend of
stifle. Hocks near the ground, parallel, and driving in action. Feet as in
front.
Coat
Smooth--Double-coated. Coarse and weatherproof. Flat but hard, dense and
abundant, belly and undersides of thighs are not bare.
Broken--Double-coated. Coarse and weatherproof. Short, dense undercoat
covered with a harsh, straight, tight jacket which lies flat and close to
the body and legs. There is a clear outline with only a hint of eyebrows and
beard. Belly and undersides of thighs are not bare. Coat does not show a
strong tendency to curl or wave. No sculpted furnishings. The terrier is
shown in his natural appearance not excessively groomed. Sculpturing is to
be severely penalized. Faults--Soft, silky, wooly, or curly topcoat. Lacking
undercoat.
Color
White, white with black or tan markings, or a combination of these,
tri-color. Colors are clear. Markings are preferably confined to the head
and root of tail. Heavy body markings are not desirable. Grizzle is
acceptable and should not be confused with brindle.
Disqualification--Brindle markings.
Gait
Movement or action is the crucial test of conformation. The terrier's
movement is free, lively, well coordinated, with straight action in front
and behind. There should be ample reach and drive with a good length of
stride.
Character and Temperament
Bold and friendly. Athletic and clever. At work he is a game hunter,
tenacious and courageous. At home he is playful, exuberant and
overwhelmingly affectionate. He is an independent and energetic terrier and
requires his due portion of attention. He should not be quarrelsome. Shyness
should not be confused with submissiveness. Submissiveness is not a fault.
Sparring is not acceptable. Fault--Shyness. Disqualification--Overt
aggression towards another dog or human.
Spanning
To measure a terrier's chest, span from behind, raising only the front feet
from the ground, and compress gently. Directly behind the elbows is the
smaller, firm part of the chest. The central part is usually larger but
should feel rather elastic. Span with hands tightly behind the elbows on the
forward portion of the chest. The chest must be easily spanned by average
size hands. Thumbs should meet at the spine and fingers should meet under
the chest. This is a significant factor and a critical part of the judging
process. The dog can not be correctly judged without this procedure.
Diqualifications
Height under 12" or over 15".
Prick ears, liver nose.
Four or more missing teeth.
Overshot, undershot or wry mouth. Brindle markings.
Overt aggression towards other dogs or humans.
Approved July 7, 1997
Effective January 1, 1998
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