Strong and hardy, the Russell Terrier is an earth-working dog. The dog is full of zest and life and his confidence complements the keen expression on his face. The small size, fearless nature and a keen nose make this dog an excellent worker to hunt vermin underground.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: England
Used for: Companion
Average Life Span: About 15 years
Color: White with black or tan markings
Coat: Smooth, broken or rough, weatherproof
Average Height: 10-15 inches
Average Weight: 14-18 pounds
Group: Terrier
History and Domestication
This breed originated in England but was developed in Austria. The Russell Terrier shares many characteristics of the Parson Russell Terrier as it was developed from Reverend Parsonâ’s fox working terriers. They are small dogs and hence could easily be carried on horsebacks in their small terrier bags.
Standard Physical Characteristics
The Russell Terrier is a tough and sturdy dog and always on its toes. The body is solid and compact and the head is proportioned well to the body. The skull is flat with a defined stop. The muzzle is moderate in length. Almond shaped eyes are dark in color and so is the nose. The long neck is clean and muscular. The shoulders are sloping while the chest is shallow.
Care, Grooming and Health
The coat of a Russell Terrier is easy to groom. Bathe only when necessary and comb or brush with a firm bristle brush. The show dog’s coat needs to be stripped. Quite like the rough variety, the broken coated dogs need to be stripped too.
When it is sufficiently exercised, the Russell Terrier is a pleasant companion. But it will turn into a nuisance the moment it lacks exercise. It needs to be taken on long and brisk walks daily. He also needs some space to play and run. If you live in an apartment, then make sure the dog gets enough exercise before you leave for work. He needs to be taken out again once you are back. Some of the lines are prone to mast cell tumors, kneecaps, deafness, eye diseases and Legg Perthes.
Living Conditions
The Russell Terrier will do okay in an apartment if he is sufficiently exercised. This is a people lover and should be allowed to stay inside with his family. It is for the best if he access to a fenced yard where he can run around and burn some energy. The fence should be high enough that the dog cannot jump it.
Temperament
The energetic and full-of-life dog has a lot of personality in his small body. He is amusing, loving and seems to be enjoying whatever life throws at him. Given an opportunity, he would gladly pursue his delights over the fence and into the streets. Incredibly intelligent but slightly willful and that makes training them a difficult task. They are friendly towards other people but can aggressive towards other dogs and small animals especially if they look like their prey. His fearless nature can be a problem especially when he is around bigger dogs.
