Flushing Pheasant Russells
Located on the Colorado/Kansas border
Jordie Mann (719-343-5522)
flushingpheasantrussells@gmail.com

Parson Russell Terrier

(Recognized by the AKC and the parent club, JRTCA)

12-15 inches tall,
Square body,
Bred for hunting & usually has the higher energy levels to accommodate those tasks. Commonly known as “hyper” because of their higher energy levels.

Jack Russell Terrier*
(Recognized by the AKC Fss, UKC and the parent club, ARTC)

10-12 inches tall,
Rectangular body,
Bred for companionship & temperament

(*Often the Parson Russell will be lumped into this category when, in fact, they should not be because they are their own recognized breed)

    The American Kennel Club recognizes the Parson Russell Terrier and it is shown in a multitude of classes in their shows, including the conformation ring in the Terrier division. The Jack Russell Terrier is currently recognized by the United Kennel Club and other clubs as well. The Jack Russell Terrier or simply, the Russell Terrier is currently in the process of gaining recognition from the American Kennel Club through their rare breeds section, better known as the Foundation Stock Service or AKC FSS.

    The Jack Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier had similar beginnings but through the years have separated into two distinct bloodlines with different breeding histories and typically, very different personalities. To make matters more confusing, the Parson Russell is often called a Jack Russell Terrier as well. The Jack Russell’s nicknames are shorty jack, puddin or just Russell Terrier. Please know that this breed is not made up of a mutant gene that makes them short and that they are a very viable breed that can do anything and everything… the sky is truly the limit with the Jack Russell or Russell Terrier.

 

    As far as personality is concerned, the Parson Russell Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are similar and vastly different all at the same time! They both were bred to be working terriers. They are both built with a body that can adapt to the earth if the terrier should go down a hole after prey. But that’s where the similarities stop. The Parson Russell Terrier was bred to be a hunting dog and like most hunting dogs (i.e. Brittany Spaniels, German Shorthairs and other breeds of common hunting dogs) they are typically super high energy. The Jack Russell Terrier (Russell Terrier), however, is bred for companionship and while they share the same prey drive as their cousin the Parson Russell, they also know when to turn it off. They have the ability to mellow out and when they are inside with the family are able to calm down and cuddle. There are exceptions to every rule and I’m sure there are Parson Russells that have this ability as well but for the most part, the Parson is higher energy than the Jack Russell (or Russell Terrier).

 

    The difference between the Parson Russell and Jack Russell can also be measured in height. The standard for the Parson starts at 12 1/2 inches tall at the shoulder to 15 inches tall. The standard for the Jack Russell (Russell Terrier) starts at 10 inches and goes up to 12 inches tall at the shoulders. The Parson is also known as the square dog in that he is as long in his back as he is tall. The Jack Russell is known as slightly longer than tall. He is typically between 1/2 inch to 1 inch longer in his back than he is tall. And not to confuse matters, but the EJRTCA or English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance, Inc. recognizes the old style or traditional Jack Russell Terriers that range in height from 8 inches to 12 inches at the shoulder.

Russell Terrier
As recognized by the EJRTCA.

Photo used with permission from Walnut Creek Farms in Northern Georgia.

8-12 inches tall, Rectangular body, Bred for companionship and temperament primarily. Also bred to improve on the breed and be a true working breed through lure coursing and go-to-ground competitions, etc.

Our beloved breeds, in a nutshell

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Pam’s Great Pyrenees Guard Dog and one of her shorty JRT puppies meet nose to nose.

GIANT MEETS TINY