The
AKC Russell Terrier
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
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 RoHM
© 2000
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