Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell Terrier originated in southern England in the 1800's. The existence of the Parson Russell Terrier and Russell Terrier is thanks to Reverend John "Jack" Russell, an avid foxhunter who bred the small tan and white hunting dogs. The Reverend started his breeding program with a female white and tan terrier that he purchased from his milkman. In the breeding process, he selected for independent thinking in his dogs so that they could problem solve quickly while in the field. The Parson Russell Terrier received the name Jack Russell Terrier in 1997 but by 2008, all international kennel clubs had changed the name to Parson Russell Terrier. There is another breed that shares the same lineage and looks very similar to the Parson Russell Terrier, the Russell Terrier, but has shorter legs than the Parson.