Parson Russell Terrier
About the Parson Russell Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 13-14" |
| Weight | 13-17 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Parson Russell Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Parson Russell Terrier
The story behind the Parson Russell Terrier
The Parson Russell Terrier traces to the Reverend John Russell, a nineteenth-century Devon clergyman and hunting enthusiast who bred fox terriers for work rather than show, wanting a dog with legs long enough to follow the hunt and a chest narrow enough to enter an earth and bolt fox. His dogs became widely known and were bred on by hunting people across Britain, with type varying considerably by region and purpose. For most of the twentieth century these terriers remained working dogs outside the show system. The Kennel Club recognised the taller type in the later twentieth century, initially under the Parson Jack Russell name and later shortened, with the AKC following, while the shorter-legged Jack Russell Terrier is registered separately by other bodies. Working strains continue alongside show lines.
Originally bred for: Fox bolting, Hunt terrier work, Vermin control. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Parson Russell Terrier
A hard, muscular working terrier suits a quality complete diet fed twice daily and matched to a genuinely high activity level. Use part of the ration for training rewards. Keep the dog lean and fit, as excess weight limits the athleticism and stamina the breed depends on.
Watch for: No breed-wide ingredient sensitivity is established. Working terriers often pick up digestive upsets from scavenging and from eating what they catch, which mimics intolerance. Where itching or chronic loose stool continues, a veterinarian should investigate before an exclusion diet is started.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Parson Russell Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.