Russell Terrier
History
by
JoAnn Stoll,
President and Founder -
The American Russell
Terrier Club
The Russell Terrier is steeped in the tradition of Fox Hunting dating back to the 1800's in England.
The Reverend John Russell, the hunting Parson, is attributed as the founder of the Parson Russell Terrier and the Russell Terrier.
The two breeds evolved differently in type and blood in England and the United States due to differences in type, size, and structure needed in the hunt field. Both breeds shared one common thread being the
insatiable instinct to hunt below ground.
Mr. Russell did not succumb to the fashions of bench shows, but rather remained true to the fox-working terrier type. It is a most fitting tribute to Mr. Russell
(the Parson)
that the Russell Terrier continues to bear his name.
It is because of Mr. Russell the two breeds survived hundreds of years, utilized in the hunt fields of England and worldwide,
remaining true to type as the ultimate working terriers. Russell
Terriers are noted for their gameness, temperament and intelligence. Preservation of the form and function of the breed is a great responsibility for the Russell Terrier to remain true to its heritage.
The Parson and the Russell Terrier are not newcomers to the US. The first English import arrived in 1911. The early American hunts favored the smaller working terriers because the fox holes in America were much smaller than in England. The small
Russell Terriers were carried on horseback until set to ground and used to bolt the fox.
English immigrants coming to American had an affinity for tradition
and brought these small hunt terriers with them to continue the sport of hunting. From these imports many strains of small working terriers later to become the Russell Terrier were maintained in the US.
The first organized breed club to recognize both types of working earth terriers known as the
Jack Russell Terrier was the JRTCA in 1976.
Thus the Russell Terrier type, over a period of time, could only be registered with JRTCA if they were spayed and
neutered.
Fortunately there were those who keep strains of the small Russell Terriers outside the confines of the JRTCA. In 1995 the
American Russell Terrier Club, Inc. established a breed registry for the Russell Terrier. Through selective breeding with stringent registration restrictions they were able to separate the two distinctly different types with dissimilar blood
and the Russell Terrier was ushered into AKC in 2004.
Breed type for the Russell Terrier is a slimly built white terrier able to traverse small earthen tunnels in pursuit of the fox. Balanced proportions, size, shape, and flexibility of chest are crucial in evaluating breed type. Regardless of how flashy a Russell Terrier may be, if he lacks breed type he is not a true representative of the breed.
The Most Crucial Point Of Conformation
Is The Chest
The chest should be oval, flexible, and able to be spanned by
an average man's hands. Russells with excessive chests extending below the elbow are not aesthetically pleasing, lacking any semblance of balanced portions. Excessive chests distorts the underline of the
Russell Terrier as described by the standard as having a moderate tuck up.
The width between the shoulders is again crucial. Russells with wide muscled shoulders or a heavy chest would not be able to work efficiently underground. The body should be lithe and flexible to allow the Russell to maneuver underground,
i.e. it should not be stocky or cobby.
Proportion of the Russell is equally as important
The Russell Terrier is equal from the point of withers to the bottom of the
brisket and from the point of the elbow to the ground. Excessive chests are
typically dwarf characteristics in the breed making the legs look short.
This is not a short legged breed.
We have choices at this point. Preserve
the Russell Terrier breed, true to its heritage and roots, or succumb to the fashions of bench
shows or preference.
As we all know fads and fashions come and go. The
popular Russell on the show circuit may change from year to year. However,
the origin and function of the breed will remain forever. The breed has
remained consistent as to the type needed for earthwork for hundreds of
years, firmly entrenched in the history of the working terriers of England.
We are
only the care takers of this wonderful old working breed. It is with great
responsibility we must strive to preserve it, with respect to the founder of the breed. His love for the pursuit of fox hunting and admiration for the working earth terrier
is what gave us the Russell Terrier.
https://www.thedogplace.org/Breeds/Russell-Terrier/History_Stoll-126.asp
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