These two dogs are sisters. Notice the difference in height, body style and coat; yet they are both from the same litter!
The ParsonRussell Terrier and the JackRussell Terrier of today are the descendants of dogs bred by Parson John (Jack) Russell in the United Kingdom in the 19th century. While the individual dog’s sizes, proportions and coats varied even between littermates (and still may), they were bred by ParsonJack for their ability to hunt and for a specific color (predominately white). Dogs of varied leg length were used in the hunt, depending on the size of the dens and terrain of the land in which the terrier hunted, but all are tough, tenacious and athletic. This energetic dog was bred to be a working dog and still displays the cleverness that made it a highly-sought after hunting dog back in the early 19th century.
Our Cher Car Kennels bred ParsonRussellTerriers also vary in size, coat and drive.While we strive for good looking dogs, temperament is most important, and I will compromise on certain aspects of conformation in this breed more than in others.Our breeding program produces a wide variety of heights and shapes.This is paramount to the breed, and should not be viewed as a problem as centuries of tradition have embraced this.
Be wary of breeders who have all the same “look”, as they are valuing conformation over other things first. The AKC rewrote their breed standard in 2004, removing the “Jack Russell” name and now calling their acknowledged breed the “Parson Russell” Terrier... stating these dogs must only stand from 12” to 15” tall and requiring “spanning” to measure the terrier’s chest. (An average person’s hands must be able to measure the chest behind the elbows with their thumbs meeting at the spine and fingers enclosing the ribcage able to meet under the chest. A dog whose chest is larger than this is disqualified.)
The UKC split the Jack Russell Terrier into two separate breeds in 2008, recognizing the Parson Russell Terrier in 2 height varieties (from 10-12.5” and 12.5” to 15” maximum for conformation showing) with a rough, broken or smooth coat and redefining the shorter, squattier, longer bodied Jack Russell Terrier as measuring from 10” to 12” only (in keeping with their “puddin’ dogs” or “shorty” nicknames.)
Newly defined Parson Russell (left) vs Jack Russell (right)
Both Parson Russell Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers are versatile small dogs, who think they are BIG dogs somehow squeezed into a little body! You might wonder why a long time “big dog” breeder like us would even have such a thing on our site, or in our kennel. Spend one day with a good Parson or Jack Russell Terrier, and you will understand. These are tough, highly intelligent, trainable dogs; strong, self willed and sometimes obstinate. They are NOT for everyone, especially for folks that have had better luck with other companion type dogs. If you have previously owned a Poodle, Shih-Tzu or something similar, do NOT think that a Parson or Jack Russell Terrier would be a good choice!
No matter what its registered breed name, this terrier is a true working dog; adept as a ratter, a fox hunter, a groom’s companion, a couch potato, agility dog, racing dog, bird chaser, and watch dog… or under the covers snuggler. It really doesn’t matter what it looks like, as long as you are pleased with what YOU see!
Our Breeding Dogs
(Click on dog's picture to view pedigree.)
Whip
Spalding
CH Spur
GRCH 'PR' Horrid
Rotten
Wicked
Competition Dogs
Nasty Girl
Cher Car Kennels has been breeding Parson Russell Terriers since 2002 and we have produced the most proven and successful UKC registered lines in the world according to the UKC TOP PRODUCERS list using data for progeny’s titles earned. (The United Kennel Club is the largest all-breed performance-dog registry in the world, registering dogs from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries.) We produce dogs that excel in multiple venues, many from multi-aspect titled parents. Our dogs show confident appropriate character and make very loving family members.
UKC Current Top Producers for Parson Russell Terriers:
Compiled by the United Kennel Club using all data for progeny of these dogs whelped on or after January 1, 2008, and for that progeny’s titles earned and processed from January 1, 2008 through October 17, 2021.
No. 1 SIRE - CAX PTN USA UFA GNJCH UAGI URO1 Cher Car's Dreadful Dwarf RATI aka “Spalding”
