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THE PARSON RUSSELL TERRIER BREED STANDARD
GENERAL
APPEARANCE: Workmanlike, active and agile, built for speed and endurance. Overall picture of balance and flexibility. Honourable
scars permissible.
CHARACTERISTICS: Essentially a working terrier with ability and conformation to go to ground and run
with hounds.
TEMPERAMENT: Bold and friendly.
HEAD AND SKULL: Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes.
Shallow stop. Length from nose to stop slighty shorter than from nose to occiput. Nose black.
EYES: Almond shaped, fairly
deep set, dark, keen expression.
EARS: Small, V-shaped, dropping forward, carried close to the head, tip of ear to reach
corner of eye, fold not to appear above top of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.
MOUTH: Jaws strong and muscular. Teeth
with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite. I.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the
jaws.
NECK: Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening to the shoulders.
FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders long and sloping,
well laid back, cleanly cut at the withers. Legs strong, must be straight with joints turning neither in nor out. Elbows close
to the body, working free of the sides.
BODY: Ribs not over sprung. Chest of moderate depth not to come below point of
elbow, capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands. Back strong and straight. Loin slightly arched.
Well balanced. Overall length slightly longer than height from the withers to the ground.
HINDQUARTERS: Strong, muscular,
with good angulation and bend of stifle.
Hocks set low and rear pasterns parallel giving plenty of drive.
FEET: Compact
with firm pads, turning neither in or out.
TAIL: Customarily docked.
DOCKED: Length complimenting the body while providing
a good handhold. Strong, straight, moderately high set and carried well up on the move.
UNDOCKED: Of moderate length and as straight as possible,
giving a general balance to the dog, thick at the root and tapering towards the end. Moderately high set and carried well
up on the move.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Free-striding, well co-ordinated, straight action front and behind.
COAT: Naturally harsh,
close and dense, whether rough or smooth.
Belly and undersides coated. Skin must be thick and loose.
COLOUR: Entirely
white or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black markings,
or any combination of these colours, preferably confined
to the head and/or root of tail.
SIZE: Most importantly a working terrier should be capable of being spanned behind the
shoulders by average sized hands. Ideal height at withers: Dogs - 36cm (14 inches); Bitches - 33cm (13 inches).
It is recognised
that smaller terriers are required for work in certain areas and lower heights therefore quite acceptable provided that soundness
and balance are maintained
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