Male/Macho available April/May 2025
Whats the difference between Parson Russell, Jack Russell and Fox Terrier Standard Sizes
Differences with related breeds
The Parson Russell terrier shares a common ancestry with the Jack Russell terrier.
The Jack Russell terrier and Parson Russell terrier breeds are similar, sharing a common origin, but have several marked differences — the most notable being the range of acceptable heights.[37] Other differences in the Parson can include a longer head and larger chest as well as overall a larger body size.[38] The height of a Parson Russell at the withers according to the breed standard is 12–14 inches (30–36 cm) which places it within the range of the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America’s standard size for a Jack Russell of 10–15 inches (25–38 cm). However the Parson Russell is a conformation show standard whereas the Jack Russell standard is a more general working standard.[39]
The Russell terrier, which is also sometimes called the English Jack Russell terrier or the Short Jack Russell terrier is a generally smaller related breed.[40] Both the breed standards of the American Russell Terrier Club and the English Jack Russell Terrier Club Alliance states that at the withers it should be an ideal height of 8–12 inches (20–30 cm).[41][42] Although sometimes called the English or Irish Jack Russell terrier,[43] this is not the recognised height of Jack Russells in the United Kingdom. According to the Jack Russell Club of Great Britain’s breed standard, it is the same size as the standard for Jack Russells in the USA, 10–15 inches (25–38 cm).[44] Compared to the Parson, the Russell terrier should always be longer than tall at the withers, whereas the Parson’s points should be of equal distance.[45] The Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard for the Jack Russell terrier has this smaller size listed as a requirement.[46] Terrierman Eddie Chapman, who has hunted in Devon for more than 30 years, the same area that John Russell himself hunted, notes that, “I can state categorically that if given the choice, ninety-nine percent of hunt terrier men would buy an under 12″ worker, if it was available, over a 14” one.”[47]