Welcome the Parson Russell Terrier!

The energetic and self-assured Parson Russell Terrier is now also part of our Breed Archive family.

These dogs were first bred in the south of England in the mid-1800s to hunt European red fox, both above and below ground. They were originally developed to be baying terriers whose job was to bolt but not kill their quarry.

They were bred to be small enough to fit in a saddle bag or down a fox hole, but with long enough legs that they could keep up with horses while on the hunt.

The Parson Russell Terrier is named after the legendary British huntsman, Reverend John Russell, who was nicknamed 'The Sporting Parson' due to his dual role as a clergyman and a passionate fox hunter and breeder of working terriers.

The Parson Russell Terrier is a small, athletic, and agile dog with a weather-resistant coat that comes in smooth, broken, and rough varieties.

Intelligent, energetic, and independent, this breed has a big personality, combining tenacity and courage at work with playful exuberance and affection at home.