Parson Russell Terrier

Lifestyle needs

Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell is a working Terrier which has three coat types: rough, broken coated and smooth.  He is typically a robust, lively and intelligent little dog.  He adores human company and loves to be involved with family activities.  He will bark loudly if strangers call or if he gets excited chasing prey. Ideally he would prefer a country lifestyle with plenty of opportunity to run free.  He would also benefit from activities such as agility to challenge his mental and physical energies.

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible and not higher than 6%)

The breed average COI is 9.6%  

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)

         None

BVA/KC Health Schemes  http://www.bva.co.uk/chs

•  Eye disease:  Primary lens luxation (PLL) (can result in glaucoma and cause pain and blindness)  Ideally early eye testing should be carried out annually until 7 years.

DNA tests available

• Primary lens luxation (PLL) (partial or complete dislocation of the lens at around 4 years)
• Late onset ataxia (LOA) (weakness and wobbliness)

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

• Patella test
• Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test for deafness

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents (or check the KC’s health test results finder). If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)

• Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)
• Cataract
• Deafness (sensorial deafness related to pigment migration into the inner ear)
• Urate urolithiasis (stone formation in the urinary system causing pain and difficulty urinating)

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life.  Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.  Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

List of Dog Breeds