FCI-Standard N°339 / 28.
11. 2003 / GB
PARSON RUSSELL TERRIER
ORIGIN : Great Britain.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 29.10.2003.
UTILIZATION : Robust, tenacious working terrier, with special ability to
go to ground.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 3 Terriers.
Section 1 Large and medium sized Terriers. With working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY :
The promoter of this breed the Reverend John (Jack) Russell was born in
1795 in Dartmouth, Devon. He
became a clergyman and for most of his life served in the parish of
Swimbridge, Devon. An
experienced horseman and great huntsman he became passionately involved
in the breeding and selection of terriers.
In 1873 The Kennel Club was founded and he became one of its
early members. He died in
1883 at the great age of 87.
It was while studying at Oxford that he bought his first terrier, a
white wirehaired bitch with head markings which closely resembled the
standard of today. Jack
Russell undertook a number of crosses between different working
terriers, self-coloured and parti-coloured types.
His intention was always to improve the aptitude for hunting
without too much regard for a uniform type.
This tradition, crossing with other breeds of terriers continued
later on. He also attempted
to cross the breed with other breeds but the progeny did not correspond
to the ancestral type. These endeavours were disappointing and were
abandoned.
From the end of the Second World War, this breed has enjoyed increasing
popularity on the European continent, particularly with hunters and
horsemen. On 22nd January,
1990, The Kennel Club (Great Britain) recognized the breed and published
an Official Interim Standard under the name of the Parson Jack Russell
Terrier. The F.C.I. in its
turn accepted to add this breed to its provisional list on July 2nd
1990.
The current name of Parson Russell Terrier was given in 1999 by the
(British) Kennel Club. The
breed was definitely recognized by the F.C.I. on June 4th 2001.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Workmanlike, active and agile; built for speed and
endurance. Overall picture
of balance and flexibility.
Honourable scars permissible.
IMPORTANT PORPORTIONS : Well balanced.
Overall length of body slightly longer than height from withers
to ground. Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to
occiput.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Essentially a working terrier with ability and
conformation to go to ground and run with hounds.
Bold and friendly.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes.
Stop : Shallow.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong , muscular.
Teeth with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e.
upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the
jaws.
Eyes : Almond shaped, fairly deep-set, dark, keen expression.
Ears : Small, V-shaped, dropping forward, carried close to head, tip of
ear to reach corner of eye, fold not to appear above top of skull.
Leather of moderate thickness.
NECK : Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening to shoulders.
BODY : Well balanced.
Overall length slightly longer than height from withers to ground.
Back : Strong and straight.
Loin : Slightly arched.
Chest : Of moderate depth, not to come below point of elbow, capable of
being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands.
Ribs not over-sprung.
TAIL : Customarily docked.
Docked : Length complementing the body while providing a good handhold.
Strong, straight, moderately high set, carried well up on the
move.
Undocked : Of moderated length and as straight as possible, giving a
general balance to the dog, thick at the root and tapering towards the
end. Moderately high set,
carried well up on the move.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Strong, must be straight with joints turning neither in
nor out.
Shoulders : Long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers.
Elbows : Close to body, working free of the sides.
HINDQUARTERS : Strong, muscular with good angulation.
Stifle : Good bend of stifle.
Hocks : Set low.
Rear Pasterns : Parallel, giving plenty of drive.
FEET : Compact with firm pads, turning neither in nor out.
GAIT/MOVEMENT : Free-striding, well co-ordinated, straight action front
and behind.
SKIN : Must be thick and loose.
COAT
HAIR : Naturally harsh, close and dense, whether rough or smooth.
Belly and undersides coated.
COLOUR : Entirely white or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black
markings, or any combination of these colours, preferably confined to
head and/or root of tail.
SIZE : Dogs:
ideal height at withers
36 cm (14 ins).
Bitches:
ideal height at withers
33
cm (13 ins).
2 cm above or below is acceptable.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a
fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should
be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and
welfare of the dog.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be
disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.
This amended breed standard will
become effective from April 2004.
