Overview
Parson John Russell bred his terriers in Devon in the 1800s to run with hounds and bolt foxes, and this breed is the taller, squarer dog named in his honour. It stands around 33 to 36 centimetres, with a predominantly white coat that is smooth or broken and a build that lets it keep up with horses.
The temperament is pure working terrier: bold, quick, inquisitive and always on. Parsons are affectionate and funny with their own people and not reliably polite with strange dogs. They need more exercise than most people expect from a small dog and more training than most give them.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes a day is a realistic requirement for a fit adult, and they will take whatever extra you offer. They run, jump and climb with enthusiasm and love a ball or a flirt pole. Lead walking alone will not tire them.
They cope with weather of all kinds. The main limit is the walker's imagination; a bored Parson finds a hole to dig or a fence to clear.
On the walk
- Recall: Good with effort and useless when a rabbit breaks cover. Off-lead only where a chase cannot end on a road or in a sett.
- Prey drive: Intense. Squirrels, rats, rabbits and cats will all trigger pursuit, and the dog will go to ground if it can. Watch for holes and know where badger setts are.
- Other dogs: Confident to the point of cheek. Some Parsons start arguments with big dogs they cannot win. Match company carefully and interrupt stiff posturing early.
- Jumping: They can clear a surprising height from a standstill. Stock fences and low garden walls do not count as enclosed.
Tips for professional walkers
- Bring a ball or a flirt pole and burn off energy with structured games, not just distance.
- Use a harness; a terrier that lunges on a collar will damage its neck over time.
- Check ears, paws and belly for ticks and seeds after long grass, and for cuts after rough cover.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever gone to ground, and how long did it stay down?
- Which dogs does it get on with, and is there a type it picks fights with?
- Any history of knee or eye problems the vet is watching?