The Types of Russell Terriers

Originally bred as a working dog to help on the fox hunt, the Russell terrier has become a family pet and well-known dog that is often used in the entertainment industry because of its intelligence and trainability. All Russell terriers may look the same, but there are three distinct breeds of the dog.

  1. Jack Russell Terrier

    • The Jack Russell terrier is a small but determined, hard-working dog. The breed was developed in southern England in the 1800s to assist hunters in flushing out foxes. The dogs were bred to be fast enough to keep up with the hunting horses and small and short enough to sneak into a foxhole.

      Jack Russells are intelligent dogs that are bred to work and need a lot of physical and mental exercise. The size of a Jack Russell terrier varies greatly. They can be between 10 and 15 inches tall at the shoulders and anywhere from 14 to 18 pounds.

    Parson Russell Terrier

    • The Parson Russell terrier is similar to the Jack Russell, but the Parson is bred to be a show dog. The Parson Russell terrier is a recognized American Kennel Club breed that competes in the terrier group. Parson Russell terriers are energetic and affectionate dogs that require regular exercise just like the Jack Russell. They have less instinct to hunt because they are bred more for show than work. The Parson Russell stands between 13 and 14 inches tall and weighs no more than 17 pounds.

    Russell Terrier

    • The Russell terrier is another AKC-recognized breed that is almost identical to Jack and Parson Russells. The main difference is in height. The Russell terrier breed standard is between 10 and 12 inches tall at the shoulder. The Russell terrier is essentially a shorter Parson. The dog shares the same tenacious and energetic characteristics as the Jack and Parson and also requires regular exercise.

    Coat Types

    • The Russell, Jack Russell and Parson Russell terriers all have white coats with tan and black markings. There are three coat types that sometimes make them appear to be different breeds. The smooth coat is short, even hair over the entire body. The coat requires little grooming besides an occasional wash and brush. The rough coat is wiry, longer hair all over the body. The rough coat takes more time to groom and needs to be hand stripped. The broken coat is a combination of the smooth and rough coat. The dog has patches of longer, wiry hair on the head, body or legs.