JackRussellPups

Parson Russell Terriers are hunting dogs. If you do not want to hunt your Parson, be sure to get one that does not have highly developed hunting instincts and that is more submission in temperament. This breed was developed to "go to ground" -- to follow a scent, locate a quarry, and bark at it until someone digs down to them or the quarry bolts. If you get a dog with highly developed hunting instincts, you will need to provide an outlet for these instincts, or your PRT will invent new and interesting challenges to occupy its time and energy. They may develop bad habits such as chasing cars, hunting birds, bugs or leaves, or endlessly digging in the soil.

Parson Russell Terriers are a big dog in a little body. They have a greater need for exercise than a much larger dog, and they have the mentality to match. They are extremely intelligent and most think that they weigh 150 pounds (ten times their average weight). They are fearless and often challenge other dogs that are much bigger than they are. Of course, dogs that are neutered or spayed have a less aggressive temperament than intact dogs. I recommend that all non-breeding dogs be neutered or spayed at about one year of age or after the bone growth plates are closed.

Parson Russell Terriers are often aggressive with other dogs if they are not neutered or spayed. This small terrier is well known for same-sex aggression and aggression towards other breeds of dogs. One should be wary about permiting more than two PRTs to stay together unattended. I can recount numerous stories of disastrous results of such folly. For example, one woman left four intact female PRTs at home in the house while she went shopping. When she returned home, she had three dead PRTs and one live one the six-month-old puppy of one of the dead bitches. Another friend of mine came home one day to an eight-year-old intact bitch who had killed and partially eaten her three-year-old intact daughter. My friend put the bitch down after this incident, even though she was well-loved by the entire family and was her first PRT. It was devastating. These dogs were NOT spayed. If they were, the disasters might have been avoided.

Parson Russell Terriers do shed regardless of what some people will tell you to sell you a puppy! All of the three coat types shed! Smooth coats shed the most, dropping hair continuously throughout the year. Rough coats maintain the guard and dead coat better, but require manual stripping several times a year to keep a neat look. The broken coat is intermediate between the other two types.

Parson Russell Terriers require firm, consistent discipline. They are extremely intelligent and continue to test their limits throughout their lives. These little guys typically train their owners before the owners realize what has happened! This ability to train their owners can include displays of aggressive behavior, such as jumping on them and growling at them when reprimanded. The owner must understand and properly handle this assertive nature! I highly recommend watching The Dog Whisperer on TV or buying the books written by Cesar Millan.

Parson Russell Terriers can become very possessive of their owner or a favorite member of the family or what they consider to be their personal property. Some who are undisciplined exhibit aggressive protective behavior, which the owner must control from an early age or the dog will become unmanageable. Generally, if a dog thinks that the owner is not a dominant personality or "alpha," the dog will think that s/he has to be in control. Once an owner learns to exhibit proper behavior, the dog improves. I believe that there are no dog problems, only owner problems.

Intact Parson Russell Terriers are commonly known to harass, injure, or kill cats, birds, rabbits, mice, rats, and other small pets, simply because they have such a strong natural hunting instinct and they have the hormones raging in their little bodies. Raising a puppy with a cat or other small pet will not guarantee the cat's life-long safety if the dog is not neutered or spayed! I have had intact PRTs attack my pygmy goats, pigs, and a 14.5 hand arab/hackney cross pony!

Parson Russell Terriers remain active their entire lives, which can be up to 20 years. I know one man who had a JRT live to be 20! Their need for activity and desire to hunt continues their entire lives, although they do calm down at around 3 or 4 years of age.

Parson Russell Terriers require at least basic obedience training. The dog's life may depend on it! Even well trained dogs can be tempted to chase something that appears interesting to them. They may disappear into a hole while you are not looking. Taking a PRT off lead is always a dangerous situation, unless you are in a safe environment with secure boundaries.

Parson Russell Terriers need a securely fenced yard! Jack Russells will roam due to their hunting instincts -- even if left unsecured for only a few minutes! You can let them out every day for three years with no trouble and then, one day, your PRT may disappear and never come back. Cars kill many PRTs when they dart into the street while pursuing squirrels, cats, rabbits, rats, mice, and other interesting prey. They can dig under, climb over, or even jump over many fences. Many can climb trees and any height of chain link fencing. I have a PRT, who is now known at my house as Houdini (Casper). He can scale any chain link fence in seconds. He got out one day and was gone from 8:00 a.m. until he strolled into the garage at 9:00 p.m. that night! He had eluded the coyotes that regularly walk around the neighborhood. He was limping badly, but he was alive -- a small miracle! I then built him a covered dog run, which he escaped from one day. I am not sure how he did it. Now he lives with Carl and Pam Smith in Long Beach, CA, and they have a tall brick wall surrounding the back yard where Casper lounges in the sun during the days. His climbing days are over!

Parson Russell Terriers can be very destructive if left unattended and unemployed! Most behavioral problems are due to a lack of companionship, discipline, activity, and exercise. If you have only met perfectly well behaved PRTs, then you have met the lucky ones who have owners who provide proper exercise, socialization, and training. These dogs are not for people who work long hours and want to leave them home alone during extended periods of time. That is not fair to this breed of dog especially!

Parson Russell Terriers are country dogs at heart. When they live in a city or suburban-type environment, their needs and instincts do not change, but with proper daily exercise they can adapt if they have the proper personality. The PRT's owner must adjust the owner's lifestyle to satisfy the PRT's needs.

Parson Russell Terriers generally do not do well in apartments or condos, unless their owners are very active and take them on daily walks and they get the required exercise. They need daily outdoor activity. They are usually too loud for high-density living, and I recommend debarking (not total, but partial). They need sufficient room to run free off of a leash, which can be satisfied with a home that is large enough. Leash walking does not satisfy their boundless energy if they live in a small home. Unless your schedule permits many hours at home and a lot of outdoor activity, with a safe place for the PRT to run, this is not the dog for you. Many rescues come from apartments, condos, or homes in which the owners work away from the home for long periods of time and do not take their dogs outside. This is not fair to the dog!

Parson Russell Terriers generally will not tolerate mistreatment from a child, so I do not recommend them for households with children under the age of six. They usually will not put up with typical child mishandling, such as pulling of ears, tails, etc., or taking the dog's bones, food, toys, etc. PRTs are very assertive and demanding. I have placed a few PRTs in homes with young children, when I have been assured that those children were extremely calm and well behaved. If you have active very young children, buy a Labrador Retriever!

Parson Russell Terriers ARE NOT like the doggie actors in movies such as Moose, who starred in "My Dog Skip" and in the television series Frazier. Moose and other actor dogs are professionally trained and handled and are obedient only for VERY short periods. You do not see them behind the scenes, but believe me -- they are PRTs through and through!

Parson Russell Terriers require a long-term commitment to obedience, activity, exercise, and entertainment. They can and will frustrate you, entertain you, and bring you great joy (when they're happy!) or great grief (when they are not happy!). If this type of dog does not appeal to you, then consider another breed.