Russell Terrier

Quick Take

• Most people call them Jack Russells, but there are actually three distinct breeds. The differences between them matter more than you'd think. See the three varieties →
• Bred to outsmart foxes underground, this dog's independent mind is its greatest asset, though that same quality presents its owner's biggest challenge. Understand their stubborn streak →
• One grooming mistake that seems totally harmless can permanently change the texture of a Russell terrier's coat. Avoid the coat mistake →
• Despite a lifespan most small breeds would envy, the Russell terrier carries a surprisingly specific list of health risks most new owners never see coming. See the health risks →

The Russell terrier (also known as an English Russell terrier in some parts of the world) is a small, alert, and lively dog that was originally bred in the middle of the 19th century as an exemplary fox hunter, but now it’s also treasured as a companion and friend. The “father” of the Russell terrier was Reverend John “Jack” Russell, an enthusiastic dog breeder who also earned the nickname of The Sporting Parson for his passionate embrace of fox hunting. He bred his dogs to be independent-minded and excellent problem solvers so they could locate foxholes and either drive out the fox or pin it down.

Characteristics and Appearance

The Russell terrier is characterized by a rectangular body, floppy ears, an upturned tail, and alert, expressive eyes. The dog’s straight, though not hypoallergenic coat, comes in three different varieties: smooth, rough, and broken. The rough coat variant is more like the typical long-haired terrier, especially around the snout and eyes. The smooth coat has very short hair all over the body. Meanwhile, a Jack Russell terrier with a broken coat has a combination of smooth and rough fur, resulting in a wiry texture with longer hair on certain areas like the face or tail. All three variations have white markings mixed with tan, black, or both.

History Of The Breed

The Russell terrier originated in England in the mid-1800s and is believed to be a descendant of the now-extinct English white terrier. They were first bred by the Revered John “Jack” Russell, a parson and hunting enthusiast who purchased what was his ideal dog at the time – a small white and tan female terrier who was the basis for the breeding program to develop a dog that had the courage and stamina to hunt and chase foxes. These dogs were recognized as an individual breed in the mid-1800s.

Size And Weight

The Russell terrier is a small, compact dog with a rectangular body. There are minimal differences between males and females.

Differences Between a Russell Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, and a Parson Russell Terrier

All three breeds of the Russell terrier were created by Reverend Jack Russell to be fox hunting specialists. In practice, however, they are very difficult for a layperson to tell apart. Parson Russell terriers have more square bodies, wider chests, and larger heads. They are usually preferred for hunting purposes. The Russell terrier and Jack Russell terrier both have a more rectangular body and smaller heads. They are so similar, in fact, that most organizations (like the American Kennel Club) consider them the same breed and are often just referred to as the Jack Russell. When differences are recognized, the Russell terrier tends to be the smallest of the three breeds.

Temperament

The Russell terrier is a feisty, energetic, and strong-minded dog with a big personality. That does not mean it just goofs off, however. Its history as a hunting dog has also made it a tireless, fearless, and determined worker and problem solver. This dog needs structure and supervision throughout the entire day to prevent it from becoming bored and exhibiting any bad behavior. Fortunately, as long as it gets enough exercise throughout the day, it doesn’t need too much living space, so it should adapt well to an apartment.

Maintenance And Grooming

As mentioned previously, the Russell terrier comes in three different coats: rough, broken, and smooth. All three variants require weekly grooming with a soft brush, as they tend to be moderate shedders. This is enough for the smooth coat. But if you have a broken or rough-coated dog, then there is one additional requirement: it may need to be hand stripped once or twice a year. Hand stripping is a method of removing the dead fur from the top layer by hand, thus preserving the consistency of the entire coat. If the top of the fur is trimmed instead, then it might cause the softer, lower layer to dominate, which some owners may not want.

In addition to its grooming needs, you should trim the nails about once a month and check the ears for wax or debris about once a week. The teeth will also need to be brushed about two or three times per week to prevent disease and bad breath. Finally, bathing should be reserved only for when the dog becomes particularly dirty.

Training

In order to discipline its active and roaming mind, the Russell terrier will benefit from the direction of a strong leader and a regular training regimen. Owners should appear firm and in control without being aggressive or mean. The most important thing to keep in mind is that this breed will grow bored easily with repetitive activities, so you should limit the sessions to no more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time; also, try to get creative and change up your routine whenever you can. Fortunately, the Russell terrier is quite intelligent and able to figure out human commands quickly. Obedience training needs to be combined with socialization opportunities as early as possible so that it becomes more comfortable around unfamiliar people, animals, and situations.

Exercise

The Russell terrier is a high-energy dog that probably needs around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, preferably in the form of walks, runs, fetching, and playtime. This breed does have a tendency to wander around and chase after animals, so it is best to keep them on a leash or let them loose in a fenced yard so that they cannot jump over or dig under. The Russell terrier is also an agile little dog that can perform very well with all sorts of tricks and challenges.

Puppies

These puppies can be a little undisciplined and mischievous, but also eager to please their human owner. They just need a very firm training and socialization system to become a well-adjusted full-grown adult. For best results, you should always buy puppies from high-quality breeders who screen for health problems. If that proves difficult, then the next best option is a well-regarded rescue or adoption group.

Russell Terriers And Children

These dogs are excellent family dogs. Its friendly, devoted, and loyal personality makes it a great companion for all dog lovers. This breed should get along with even younger children, although you may want to supervise all interactions between them.

Common Health Issues

The Russell terrier is a fairly healthy breed with a solid lifespan of between 13 and 16 years. Nevertheless, this breed is prone to several debilitating conditions, including glaucoma, deafness, cancer, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (deformation of the hip joint as a result of interrupted blood flow), patellar luxation (essentially, a loose knee cap), and lens luxation (a deterioration of the ligament that holds the lens in place). Good dog breeders should ideally screen for these conditions before even bringing their dogs home. If it hasn’t been screened yet, then you might want to consider doing some of these evaluations and tests on the first visit to the vet.