The Jack Russell Terrier and Parson Russell Terrier were originally bred primarily to hunt animals and chase burrowing animals from their dens. As a result, their energy levels, temperament and general high spirits need to be worked with rather than against to create the behavior required in a pet dog.
Two Very Similar Breeds
Breed standards and classifications of Russell Terriers have undergone some changes in recent years, and in some countries no official distinction is made between Parson Russell and Jack Russell Terriers. In some countries, at some points in history no distinction was made though it is today, and to further confuse matters, there are many dogs of mixed ancestry created from the two types. In general, the Parson Russell Terrier is over 12 inches tall and so appears slightly thinner and less rounded than the traditionally compact Jack Russell Terrier.
Characteristic Behavior
In terms of behavior, while individual dogs have their own character, in general terms Jack Russell Terriers and Parson Russell Terriers exhibit no real differences. The Jack Russell, being smaller, does appear to be slightly more prone to yapping, while the Parson Russell, if anything, is more prone to excessive barking. However, both these behaviors can be overcome through appropriate training.
Russell terriers are very energetic and though they naturally develop loyalty to their owner, they have an independent streak. Other common traits, all of which can be overcome, include:
- They are not normally a dog that enjoys too much cuddling or being still for long periods.
- They do not back down in confrontations, and are prone to attack smaller pets, including dogs and other animals.
- They do tend to be snappy and if not trained out of it, have a harder bite than some other breeds and are also likely to use it if provoked.
- They have a fairly high pain threshold, and sometimes seem oblivious to appropriate tugs on leashes that would stop other breeds from repeatedly pulling.
- Their other threshold is low, namely boredom, and this can lead to many of the instances of poor behavior exhibited by these dogs.
- As with some other breeds, Russell terrier females tend to compete aggressively with each other.
It can be seen that most of the above characteristics stem from the origins of the breed. Recognizing this and working with it will make training much easier.
Training Requirements
The spirit of the Jack Russell and Parson Russell Terriers is one of their most endearing features. The training objective is not to subdue it but to channel the dog's enthusiasm into appropriate behavior. This is most easily accomplished through the following practices:
- The terrier needs to be carefully socialized when young with other dogs, pets and children.
- Supervision will be required on these occasions and firm reprimands for inappropriate behavior consistently applied.
- Similarly, rewards in terms of games and active play sessions, and food rewards used more when the dog is young as they have limited appeal as this type of dog gets older.
- This dog, despite its size, has a very high exercise requirement, more so than many of the very active terrier types.
Clearly patience and persistence will be required, and more so than with many other dogs. Investing the time and effort with the young dog will pay dividends when the dog grows and exhibits all the positive aspects of its capability of being a great pet.
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