BRIEF
HISTORY
The Russell Terrier originated in England with Australia
being designated as the country of development for the
breed. The breed was established for use in the sport
of fox hunting, from Reverend John Russell's original
fox working terriers in the early part of the nineteenth
century.. The small size of the breed made them ideal
to be carried on horseback in terrier bags, a requisite
for certain terrain. The nose to locate and the voice
to bolt the fox were far more important than speed. The
breed's handy size, small flexible chest, nose, strong
voice and fearless nature made them excellent specimens
to work vermin below ground.
The breed derived from the Reverend Parson's fox working
terrier strains, sharing many common characteristics of
the Parson Russell Terrier. However, it must be noted
the two breeds are distinctly different in body structure
and height, 10-12 inches, and have been maintained as
separate breeds in the US and Europe. The Russell Terrier
may be described as game but not quarrelsome. The breed
is confident, highly intelligent, faithful, versatile
and hardy. They view life as a great adventure up for
any task. First and foremost, they are hardy earth working
terriers.
GENERAL
APPEARANCE
The Russell Terrier is a strong, active, lithe, predominately
white bodied working Terrier of character with a flexible
body of moderate length and rectangular profile. The overall
dog must present a balanced image with no one part exaggerated
over another. The Russell Terrier is full of life, and
moves with confidence that matches his keen expression.
Coat may be smooth, broken or rough and may have tan and/or
black markings with no preference for coat type or markings.
Tail docking is optional.
SIZE,
SUBSTANCE & PROPORTION
In size the Russell Terrier measures from 10"-12".
Substance and weight should be proportionate to height,
being neither too coarse nor too refined. The body is
proportioned marginally longer than tall, the silhouette
representing a distinct rectangle when measured from the
point of shoulder to point of buttocks than from the withers
to the ground. The height and weight descriptions indicate
a sturdily built yet balanced dog with smooth muscle transitions,
able to traverse narrow tunnels. There may be slight differences
between males and females. Males should look masculine
while females should look feminine. However both sexes
must adhere to the breed standard. When viewed in profile
the midline of the dog is at elbow and the bottom of the
brisket. Severe Fault: Any hint of achondroplasia
Disqualification: Height under 10 inches or over 12 inches
HEAD
and NECK
The skull is flat and of moderate width gradually decreasing
in width to the eyes and then tapering to a wide muzzle,
that narrows slightly to the end maintaining very strong
jaws. The stop is well defined with minimal falling away
under the eyes. The length of muzzle is slightly shorter
than the length of the skull from the occiput to the stop.
The cheek muscles are well developed. Nose: Black and
fully pigmented. Disqualification: Any color other than
black, not fully pigmented.
Ears: Small V-shaped button or dropped ears carried close
to the head of good texture and great mobility. The points
of the ears are even with corner of the eye and pointed
downward. The fold is level with the top of the skull
or slightly above and forms a straight line when alert.
Disqualification: Prick or semi-prick ears. Eyes: Dark,
almond shaped with a keen expression of alertness. Eyes
must not be prominent. Eyelid rims are to be fully pigmented
black. Disqualifications: Blue eye or eyes.
Bite/Teeth: The bite is a scissor bite with comparatively
large teeth. A level bite is acceptable. Missing and broken
teeth due to terrier work should not be penalized. The
lips are black and are tight fitting. Disqualification:
Over shot, under shot, wry mouth.
NECK
A clean, strong neck tapering gradually into the withers
is required for terrier work. The neck is of sufficient
length to allow the terriers mouth to extend beyond its
forepaws when working.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders are well laid back and not heavily loaded with
muscle. The upper arm should be equal or nearly equal
to the length of the scapula forming an approximate 90
degree angle. This assembly allows for sufficient length
of upper arm to ensure the elbows are set under the body,
with the sternum clearly in front of the point of shoulder.
Proper reach matched with equal drive allows for efficiency
of movement.
FORELEGS
Forelegs are straight in bone from the elbows to the toes
whether viewed from the front or the side with a slight
angle to the pastern from the side. Legs are moderately
well boned. The depth of the body from the withers to
the brisket should equal the length of foreleg from elbows
to the ground.
Severe Faults: Benched or bent legs, leg length either
less/more than the depth of body.
BODY
The body of the Russell Terrier is proportioned marginally
longer than tall, measuring slightly longer from the withers
to the root of the tail than from the withers to the ground.
The overall presentation is a compact, harmonious rectangular
silhouette, in sound athletic condition. From the withers
to the bottom of the brisket should represent 50% of the
distance from the withers to the ground. The brisket should
never fall below the elbow. The loins are short, strong
and well muscled. The tuck up may be described as moderate.
Scars incurred while hunting are not to be penalized.
Top line: Level while in motion. There is a slight arch
of loin, from muscling that is felt rather than seen.
Chest: The small oval shaped, compressible chest is the
hallmark of the breed and is the single most important
attribute the Russell Terrier must have allowing it to
work efficiently below ground. It must be compressible
and small enough to be spanned by an average size mans
hands, approximately 14"-15" at the top set.
Ribs are to be well sprung from the spine, tapering on
the sides forming an oval shape so that average-size hands
of an adult can span the girth behind the elbows. The
chest must never fall below the elbow. Severe Faults:
Incorrectly shaped, unspannable, uncompressible chest
falling below the elbow.
HINDQUARTERS
Muscular and strong; when looking down on the dog, the
width of the hindquarters is equal to the width of the
shoulders. Angles are equal and balanced front to rear.
The hind legs, when viewed from a rear standing position,
are parallel. The stifles and low-set hocks are well angulated,
allowing for good driving action.
FEET
Both front and hind are moderate in size, oval shaped,
hard padded with toes moderately arched, turning neither
in nor out.
TAIL
The tail is set high enough so that the spine does not
slope down to the base of the tail. Customarily, if docked,
the tip of the tail should be level with the top of the
ears. When moving or alert, the tail may be straight or
with a slight curve forward and is carried erect or gaily.
When the dog is at rest, the tail may drop.
MOVEMENT
Movement must be unrestricted and effortless, while exhibiting
an attitude of confidence. The dog must always be exhibited
and gaited on a "loose" lead. On the lateral,
the dog must exhibit equal reach and equal drive. When
moving down and back at slower speeds the dog must parallel
track. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward
a centerline of balance.
COAT
May be smooth, broken or rough. Must be weatherproof:
all coat types have an undercoat and a harsh outer coat.
Coats are preferably natural and unaltered. The conformation
underneath is the same with no preference being given
to any particular coat type. The belly and underside should
be well covered. The terrier is shown in its natural coat
with minimal grooming. Sculpted furnishings are to be
severely penalized.
Smooth- A dense short, coarse smooth hair with an undercoat.
Broken- Intermediate length hair, between smooth and rough,
usually with facial furnishings and possibly a slight
ridge down the back.
Rough- Harsh and dense hair with an undercoat. Not thin,
woolly, curly or silky.
COLOR
White is predominate with black and/or tan markings. There
is no preference to markings so long as the dog remains
51% white. Tan can vary from lemon to mahogany. Ticking
is acceptable. Disqualification: Less than 51% white,
brindle coloring, any other color than listed above.
TEMPERAMENT
An alert, lively, active, keen terrier with a very intelligent
expression. The sporting character of the Russell Terrier
is that of a spirited and game hunter. Their intensity
for life is one of their most endearing traits. They are
playful, curious, loyal and affectionate. Sparring is
not acceptable.
Faults:
The foregoing description is that of the ideal Russell
Terrier. Any deviation from the above described dog must
be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Height under 10 inches or over 12 inches
Prick or semi- prick ears
Blue eye or eyes
Over shot, under shot, wry mouth.
Nose: Any color other than black, lack of pigment
Less than 51% white, brindle coloring, any other color
than listed above
