The roots of the Parson Russel Terrier are undoubtedly English. Specifically, this breed originated in the city of Birmingham, where the Reverend John Russell, founding member of the UK Kennel Club, managed to create this subtype of Russells in 1863, although it was not until 1990 that the Kennel Club recognized the breed. Officially. In the case of the International Federation of Cycology, this recognition was carried out in 2001 and today its standard is internationally recognized.
Parson Russell is considered to belong to the category of small dogs, with an average weight between 8 and 10 kg and a height of 33 to 36 centimeters to the cross. Its ends are long and strong, with a strong musculature, and its length is what sets them apart from the Jack Russells, since they have shorter legs. Its tail is thick, short and very inserted.
- Its head has a flat forehead and a finer shape as it approaches the snout.
- With a slightly marked stop.
- The Parson Russells have slightly sunken.
- Almond and dark eyes.
- And their eyes are very expressive and vivid.
- Its ears are small and are characterized by the shape of a ‘V’.
- Falling forward or sideways.
Continuing the physical appearance of Russell Parson dogs, we can say that they have a dense and thick fur, short, smooth, rough or broken and with an underlying layer of hairs that isolate them from the cold. This fur is usually white, with some spots or spots of fire, lemon or black, and can have several at once, and mainly in the area of the head and at the base of the tail.
The tail is medium high, but very high during movement. It is thick at the base and narrows towards the tip, being also a little long and as straight as possible.
Without a doubt, the Parson Russells are a very active and playful breed, passionate about games and sports, in which they must invest all their energy productively. These dogs are very intelligent and assertive, so they are able to perceive the humor of their owners and give all their affection without limits when they consider it necessary, which is common, because they are very affectionate and affectionate. That’s why Parson Russel isn’t the best companion for those who spend a lot of time away from home, as they need as much time as possible to be balanced and healthy.
Por outro lado, você precisa considerar se o animal terá que conviver com outros animais, pois geralmente é bastante dominante com outros cachorros, e não costuma tolerar outros animais de estimação, como gatos ou coelhos. Além disso, é bastante possessivo com seus brinquedos, sua cama e outros objetos úteis, por isso você terá que educá-lo conscientemente nesse sentido para impedir que desenvolva proteção de recursos.
In the case of children, it depends a lot on the particular dog. However, as a general rule, it is recommended that if they live with children, they are not too young and that both parties be educated to interact respectfully and always assertively.
It should be noted that this breed of dog is brave and curious which, as we have said, must be adequately stimulated to avoid behavioral problems.
Being especially active animals, they will need exercise sessions and long walks to release all this vitality in a non-destructive way, because there are, for example, individuals who usually dig in courtyards and gardens or destroy certain furniture when bored, but this is not the case. nothing I can avoid by educating him and paying as much attention as toys to keep him entertained. Likewise, it is a dog perfect for canine sports such as agility.
Due to the peculiarities of its fur, it is advisable to brush it at least twice a week, otherwise it will release a lot of hair and will not look very elegant. To do this, it is recommended to use brushes according to the fur, which in this case are brushes for dogs with short hair.
When training your Parson Russell Terrier, you must be particularly stable and patient, as the breed can sometimes be a little stubborn and stubborn, as is usually the case with all Terriers. Therefore, it is recommended not to lose patience and be firm with your education. You should not ignore certain behaviors or stop paying the necessary attention, because the truth is that by allowing Parson Russel to do what he wants, you will not do him any favors. Of course, always use positive reinforcement to understand what is right and be motivated to repeat the action. Punishment and screaming only make the situation worse.
A good way to get your attention is to use games or objects you like, as well as choosing your favorite snacks or prizes, as this will allow you to feel motivated when performing the tasks requested by your tutor.
Parson Russells shares many of Jack Russel’s illnesses. Among them, the skinning of the patella, which occurs when the patella is unhinged and causes intense pain in the animal. It is a typical disease of small breeds, which will require veterinary care for diagnosis and treatment. Another of its typical diseases is the progressive atrophy of the retina, which affects vision and causes night blindness and subsequently also daytime blindness, which leads to extreme blindness in very advanced cases. To diagnose it, retinsscopic tests called electroretinograms are performed.
One of the most serious diseases that can affect the person of the Russel Terriers is Von Willebrand disease, which can be diagnosed by genetic testing. It is a disease inherited from the DNA of the parents, which causes bleeding problems, which is quite problematic when injuries occur or when surgeries are needed, because procedures and recovery are complicated, sometimes putting the life of the animal at risk.
It was decided that it is also a slightly more prone breed than others to suffer cervical vertebral instability or Wobbler syndrome. In these cases, the spinal cord compresses in the cervix, causing pain, lack or failure of balance, as well as the impossibility of movement. Although dogs that have it can be operated on, it is a very complex and expensive clinical procedure.
To avoid, as far as possible, these common diseases of the parish priest Russell Terriers and the complications that may result, it is recommended to carry out thorough and regular veterinary examinations, keeping up to date the vaccines and deworming, providing the animal with the treatments and diets recommended by a trusted veterinarian.