An athletic, intelligent, friendly dog… that’s the Parson Russell Terrier for you in a nutshell. Belonging to the AKC’s Terrier Group, this is a breed that’s often confused for a Jack Russell Terrier which it resembles in size, appearance, and temperament.
If you are considering bringing home a Parson Russell Terrier puppy, here’s some important information you should know about this breed.
Parson Russell Terriers were bred in the late 1800s to burrow badgers. This is a strong, active, working dog that is medium sized, standing 13-14 inches tall and weighing around 13-17 pounds.
In terms of temperament, Parson Russell Terriers are clever, fearless, and tenacious. They have a friendly and agreeable disposition and are very affectionate with family members. Parson Russell Terriers can get along very well with other dogs. They do reasonably well with young children provided they are socialized around kids as puppies in a variety of settings.
Prospective owners of Parson Russell Terriers should know that these dogs have very high energy levels and are easily bored. They are playful and fun-loving and like to stay active.
A Parson Russell Terrier is smart, energetic, and eager to please, and therefore, can be trained with reward-based methods. The barking level of this breed is moderate. Being terriers, PRTs have a very strong prey drive and must be kept on leash at all times when outdoors.
While very playful and quite open to strangers, Parson Russell Terriers make reasonably good watchdogs. This is an adaptable breed that can adjust to changes in routine.
The Parson Russell Terrier’s short, smooth, double coat comes in two varieties – smooth and rough. It does not require a great deal of grooming care and does not shed excessively either. The rough coat needs to be clipped, however. Bathing these dogs once a month is typically sufficient. They are not heavy droolers.
All in all, PRTs are independent, spirited, agile, and active dogs that are incredibly cute looking. If you can’t wait to bring home an adorable Parson Russell Terrier puppy, check out listings of reputable and responsible PRT breeders on Puppy Hero.
