Russell Terrier Breeders

With An Eye On The Breed

Nodie Williams

Frayed Knot Russell Terriers

Adapted from Barbara "BJ" Andrews' ShowSight Magazine Simple Seven Breed Interviews

TDP:  What is the biggest misconception about the Russell Terrier?

NW: I find the single most prevalent misconception is that they are hyperactive. We in the Russell breed fight the impressions that the public have in confusing the Russell Terrier with the common Jack Russell type dog or the Parson Russell. The Russell terrier is an easygoing dog who is content to do what his owner is doing. They are quiet in the house and travel well, across town, country or continent.

TDP  What is the Russell’s most defining characteristic?

NW: The silhouette (small, no more than 12") is clearly rectangular and defines Russell type which should display a distinctly different look from the Parson Russell even when coats are the same.

TDP  Which behavioral characteristic most typifies the breed.

NW: The Russell is confident and happy. The "sparring" attitude of many terrier breeds is not characteristic of the Russell Terrier.

TDP  What is the most common judging mistake in Russell Terriers.

NW: Ignoring type for a perfectly straight front leg assembly or selecting for a Parson type looking dog.

TDP  Would you prefer the Russell be judged standing or moving?

NW: Probably moving, but one standing with correct proportions should (theoretically) move right. It is difficult at this juncture in the breed, since movement often has a swagger which is characteristic of the Russell Terrier, not the "tightly wound-spring" movement of many terrier breeds. What one sees in the Russell is rather a bit more swing in body and suspension in gait.

TDP  What cosmetic alterations should judges know about.

NW: Not yet the problem in the Russell Terrier as in some terrier breeds, but as in any breed with improper ear carriage as a disqualification, ear manipulation by forced means is always out there. Judges should feel the ear leather for scarring other than that acquired in hunting or going to ground or any other acceptable Terrier pursuit.

TDP  What 3 words best describe the Russell Terrier?

NW: Companionable, Merry, Intelligent.

TDP  JoAnn, there's a few more questions I'd like to add to the Simple 7.  Are you agreeable?

NW: Sure, I'm happy to talk about Russell Terriers.

TDP  Do you worry about over-grooming in the Russell ring?

NW: When the professional handlers get into serious competition with a breed, the grooming can become more competitive than the dog underneath. Our Standard addresses the issue by saying overly groomed dogs should be penalized but the reality of that becoming procedure is fairly remote. The danger lies less in over-grooming than in producing an overly abundant coat which allows it to be over-groomed, giving the advantage to the most abundant coat.

TDP  Should judges check the underside to determine coat quality?

NW: The standard calls for the dog being fully coated on the underside, but the coat typically is softer on the underside so I am not sure what the judge would find by checking that. Presence of coat underneath is primarily what the judge should check for.

TDP  Could the “reach & drive” fad be problematic for Russells?

NW:  We will have more problems with the presence of swing and swagger (which is the way they travel) in the body with straight travelling legs as opposed to the more rigid stiffness of the short bodied, longer legged (read Parsons) terriers being what is put up because that stilted gait is perceived to be correct Terrier movement.

TDP  Is docking an issue in the Russell Terrier?

NW:  Tail docking is typical of the original Russell Terrier and should be done to the length of 4 inches or to a length that is even with the top of the dog's head. In recent times, many countries who recognize the FCI dogs ban the practice of docking. This gives the unfortunate impression that an undocked dog must be correct because he is an import- this is some sort of reverse snobbery and the sight of an extra 5 or 6 inches of flapping tail is distracting from the trim outline of the dog.

TDP  Which is more important: Russell soundness or appearance?

NW: Mental soundness and breed type go hand in hand and one should never have to pick one over the other- physical soundness as in health matters must never be overlooked. Soundness issues in structural movement and appearance may be graded by the amount of severity.

TDP  How important is Russell Terrier character and personality?

NW: This is the single most important thing about a Russell- in fact to paraphrase the old Real Estate adage, its character, character, character! I raised the Frayed Knot family of Russells for 20+ years before any recognition, determined to produce only puppies that could go into any home and be the kind of dog that people consider the "once in a lifetime" dog. It is the personality and intelligence coupled with a desire to please that defines this breed.

TDP  What is the most important contribution you feel your breeding program has made to the Russell Terrier?

NW:  The Frayed Knot Farm breeding program has become foremost in bringing happy well adjusted puppies into homes in 38 states, Canada, Panama and Puerto Rico, before the breed was recognized in the US as the Russell Terrier. My dogs have gone on in UKC conformation to be Champions and Grand Champions and of course Spike has garnered titles in all walks of "dog life". My dogs make their owners happy. They do things and enrich lives with their great personalities and intelligence. The greatest accomplishment a breeder can have is to produce dogs that, when the kids that owned them are grown, they call for another one to raise with their own kids. We have pups that will win titles and be show dogs but can also achieve the first and highest accolade which is to be the Once in a lifetime family dog.

On behalf of all students of the Russell Terrier breed, we thank Nodie Williams for taking the time to provide this information.