[Ozzy29]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this breed or breeds. Depending on where you look it is considered one breed or two...Anyone have any experience with this breed?

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Ozzy29

Does anyone have any thoughts on this breed or breeds. Depending on where you look it is considered one breed or two...Anyone have any experience with this breed?

No experience but you might check out this link--which states that it was formerly known as a Jack Russell and now is recognized by the AKC as a Parson Russell:

Parson Russell Terrier Information and Pictures, Parson Russell Terriers

This might be interesting to you also--This is stated in my 'breeds book' (Published in 1997 so was still called a Jack Russell Terrier)---The Jack Russell Terrier takes its name from the English "hunting parson" who developed the dog. It was specially bred with the speed, stamina and agility to hunt foxes.

[cigwyllt]

Whereabouts in the world are you? The situation in the US is different from that in the UK.

Here in the Uk we have the Parson Russell Terrier which is recognised by the UK Kennel Club and the Jack Russell Terrier which has its own breed societies and is primarily a working dog. It's a standing joke: "What's the difference between a Parson Russell and a Jack Russell? About £ 200! The Parsons cost more because they are KC registered.

The Parson Russell is a larger, long legged dog. It is reckoned to be closer to the original terrier bred by Parson Jack Russell.

Then there is the smaller Jack Russell. These dogs are smaller but very similar in appearance to the Parson Russell. They can be short or long legged but even the long legged are smaller than a Parson. Apart from that the two breeds are remarkably similar. The breed standards are similar apart from size. The characters are the same, the coats come in the same colour and variety.

Although they are still working dogs (Parsons as well as Jacks) they make great family pets. My husband and I had two when we first married and they were wonderful when the children came along. Now alongside our old mongrel we have a Jack Russell/Patterdale cross and a Jack Russell. They have big characters and are very lively. They are extremely intelligent dogs and if ignored will make their own entertainment but are fiercely loyal and loving.

There are loads of breeds I "like" but the Jack Russell is the dog I "need"!

If you want a lap dog think again but if you want the intelligence of a collie, the playfulness of a lab, the faithfulness of a rottie all in a handy portable body then the Jack Russell is the dog for you.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by cigwyllt

Whereabouts in the world are you? The situation in the US is different from that in the UK.

Here in the Uk we have the Parson Russell Terrier which is recognised by the UK Kennel Club and the Jack Russell Terrier which has its own breed societies and is primarily a working dog. It's a standing joke: "What's the difference between a Parson Russell and a Jack Russell? About £ 200! The Parsons cost more because they are KC registered.

The Parson Russell is a larger, long legged dog. It is reckoned to be closer to the original terrier bred by Parson Jack Russell.

Then there is the smaller Jack Russell. These dogs are smaller but very similar in appearance to the Parson Russell. They can be short or long legged but even the long legged are smaller than a Parson. Apart from that the two breeds are remarkably similar. The breed standards are similar apart from size. The characters are the same, the coats come in the same colour and variety.

Although they are still working dogs (Parsons as well as Jacks) they make great family pets. My husband and I had two when we first married and they were wonderful when the children came along. Now alongside our old mongrel we have a Jack Russell/Patterdale cross and a Jack Russell. They have big characters and are very lively. They are extremely intelligent dogs and if ignored will make their own entertainment but are fiercely loyal and loving.

There are loads of breeds I "like" but the Jack Russell is the dog I "need"!

If you want a lap dog think again but if you want the intelligence of a collie, the playfulness of a lab, the faithfulness of a rottie all in a handy portable body then the Jack Russell is the dog for you.

Actually this is correct, the Parson Russell named for Parson (Reverend) John Russell who along with his father created the breed in the early 1800's for hunting is the original. It had a diverse standard though with a swing of as much as 6 inches. The breed originally in its day came in wirehaired, coarse and smooth coat and could range from 10 to 16 inches in height which these days is similar to the JRT breed club standards for the Jacks where in the Parson the standards are 12 to 14 inches.. Common nickname for John in old English and Irish is "Jack" ie: John F Kennedy who was commonly referred to as Jack. This led to part of the name. They are related through common origins but the Jack Russell Terrier is not recognized by the AKC as in the UK.
Here the Parson Russell is also the one that is recognized.
Lara's mom has JRT's and works with a breeder who could tell you more.

[Lara's mom]

I have two shorty Jacks. They are the best!!! They're very intelligent, full of life, high energy on one hand but, also very loving little dogs who love to be with their person, cuddle and
sleep as close as possible to you at night.

[Ozzy29]

I am in Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club only recognizes the Parson. The breed standard is the 14 inch. The Jack is not recognized.
The American does recognize the Parson but not the Jack which is considered by other kennel clubs to be a distinct breed. The UKC lists both breeds...I guess I just have to look at all the different clubs and how they set their standard. Groan....

[Lara's mom]

Check out the JRTCA & JRTCC.

[cigwyllt]

I guess I just have to look at all the different clubs and how they set their standard. Groan....

I don't know about anywhere other than UK so far as standards are concerned although it does appear that most clubs/registers distinguish between the Parson and the Jack. Was there anything specific about them as dogs you need to know?

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Ozzy29

I am in Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club only recognizes the Parson. The breed standard is the 14 inch. The Jack is not recognized.
The American does recognize the Parson but not the Jack which is considered by other kennel clubs to be a distinct breed. The UKC lists both breeds...I guess I just have to look at all the different clubs and how they set their standard. Groan....

You will find in the Parson that the CKC, UK and AKC all have similar standards.
The UKC (United Kennel Club) is not the same and is more prone to recognizing mixed as well as the off shoots of the original breeds, ie: the APBT which is not recognized by the AKC as well as the JRT's which also are not recognized by the AKC as well as CKC and UK. If I remember correctly there is also a breed called the Russell Terrier, not Jack Russell or Parson just Russell Terrier.
I know that in Australia the JRT is a recognized breed in affiliation with the FCI which is actually the largest breed club in the world.

[cigwyllt]

Like many others I hope the UK KC never recognises the Jack Russell. We have serious breeders who have worked on the breed for generations and keep pedigrees and registrations and produce consistent, high quality short legged dogs but there is no desire at all for them to gain UK KC recognition.

I've not heard of the Russell Terrier at all although there are various attempts to market any small terrier type as some sort of "rare" Jack Russell. Many people seem to see small black and tan terriers as JRT's. They are advertised as Euro Russells or Irish Jack Russells when they are simply cross breeds or throwbacks.

[Lara's mom]

Now I'm curious. Why don't you want Jack Russell's to be recognised by the kennel clubs?

[cigwyllt]

The worry is that once the KC get their hands on the breed they become judged for appearance rather than the whole package which is what appeals to owners and fanatics now. As it is a dog can work and bear the scars proudly and still be judged in a terrier show. There are excellent breeders producing health checked dogs already. The only thing to gain by recognition would be the opportunity to show at KC shows. Why bother LOL!

One thing that I would be pleased to see would be a tightening of the standard so far as colour is concerned but recognition seems a big price to pay for something that is really just an irritation to me!

[Lara's mom]

Ok. Makes good sense. It just seems like discrimination that the long legged ones are recognised and the shorty's aren't. They are every bit as much Jacks as the bigger ones and, much cuter in my opinion!

I would have thought that breeders would want them to be recognised so they could compete in the shows and win ribbons, etc. Does not a puppy who comes from two champions command a much higher price? Also, it would give them a higher profile. In Canada, there are only a very few people breeding the shorty Jacks.

For me, it makes no difference either way. Lara is pet quality and is spayed. Depending on how all the tests turn out down the road, Lance may father some puppies. If there is anything "iffy" about the test results, he'll be neutered.

[cigwyllt]

As it is now though there is a big Terrier Show circuit run by the JRT Club Uk. The JRT Club UK has its own shows culminating with a championship show in the summer. It specifically states in the breed standard that the "honourable scars" will not be penalised. There is a lot of emphasis on keeping the working, practical aspects of the dog so there are working trials as well as showing.

My dog is a dreadful example of a JRT according to the breed standard - his coat (which to my eyes is a major part of his charm) is a serious fault but to me he is perfect.