History

History of the Parson Russell Terrier

Photo of John Russell with permission from Sheila Atter

Carlisle Tack descended from the Parson's lines

On December 12, 1795 John Russell was born at Dartmouth in Devon, England.  In his final year at Oxford, he acquired his first terrier bitch named Trump from a milkman.  John Russell devoted his life to the chuch, serving as Parson at the Swimbridge Parish Church for more than 45 years, where he was respected and loved by his parishoners.  But his lifelong passion was fox hunting and his dogs.  Through careful breeding, beginning with Trump, a distinctive white fox terrier was developed.  It is said that the white fox terrier would have died out if not for John Russell.  His terriers went out as foundation stock to many important hunt kennels.  Working ability was always of paramount importance to the Parson.

A lifelong breeder and hunter, Rev. Russell also supported the showing of his dogs and joined the Kennel Club in 1873, the year it was founded.  He maintained his membership until his death.  His opinion was valued and sought after, and when he was in his 80s he judged at the Crystal Palace, Darlington, and Nottingham.  John Russell died on April 28, 1883.  Admired and beloved by both royalty and his parishoners, his funeral was attended by more than 1,000 people. Reverend John Russell's grave in Swimbridge, Devon still attracts many visitors more than 100 years later.  The greatest legacy of his memorable life remains the little white terriers which breeders around the world still strive to preserve and protect.

For a more detailed history we recommend the following books:

*The Ultimate Jack Russell Terrier by Mary Strom
Ringpress Books Ltd, Surrey England, 1999

*Jack Russell Terriers Today by Sheila Atter
Howell Book House, Simon and Schuster/McMillan Co. NY, NY, 1995

*The Complete Jack Russell Terrier by Brian Plummer
Boydell Press, Suffolk, 1980
In the US, Howell Book House, NY, NY

Today in the United States the AKC recognized breed club is the Parson Russell Terrier Association of America.  After years of hard work by the parent club, these terriers were admitted for full competition into the terrier group of the American Kennel Club in 2000.  These terriers were first registered in the AKC as Jack Russell Terriers.  The name was officially changed in 2003 to stay in keeping with the country of origin, England.  This will hopefully help newcomers distinguish between the different standards and registries in the U.S. which include the 12" to 15" AKC Parson Russell Terrier, the 10" to 15" Jack Russell Terrier of the JRTCA, and the 10" to 12" shorty "Russell Terrier" whose breed club is working toward AKC recognition.  The above photo of Carlisle Tack, a direct descendent of the Parson's lines, is the picture of excellence used by the PRTAA on our club logo.  For more information on the Parson Russell Terrier breed standard, click on the link "PRT Standard" or go to our Links page and click on PRTAA.