ORIGIN Great Britain. DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD 22 January 1990. UTILIZATION Robust, tenacious working terrier, with special ability to go to ground. CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. group III Terriers Section 1 Large and medium sized Terriers With working trial. BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY The promoter of this breed the Reverend John (Jack) Russell was born in 1795 in Darthmouth, Devon. He became a clergyman and for most of his life served in the parish of Swymbridge, Devon. An experienced horseman and great huntsman he became passionately involved in the breeding and selection of terriers. In 1873 The Kennel Club was founded and he became one of its early members. He died in 1883 at the great age of 87. It was while studying at Oxford that he bought his first terrier, a white wirehaired bitch with head markings which closely resembled the standard of today. Jack Russell undertook a number of crosses between different working terriers, self-colored and parti-colored types. His intention was always to improve the aptitude for hunting without too much regard for a uniform type. This tradition, crossing with other breeds of terriers continued till later times. He also attempted to cross the breed with other breeds of dog but the progeny did not correspond to the ancestral type of Jack Russell, these endeavors were disappointing and were abandoned. From the end of the Second World War, this breed enjoyed increasing popularity on the European continent, particularly with hunters and horsemen. On 22nd January, 1990, The Kennel Club (Great Britain) recognized the breed and published an Official Interim Standard under the name of the Parson Jack Russell Terrier. The F.C.I. in its turn accepted this breed to its provisional list on 2nd July, 1990. GENERAL APPEARANCE : Workmanlike, active and agile; built for speed and endurance. IMPORTANT PORPORTIONS Well balanced. Length of back from withers to root of tail equal to height from withers to ground (dog = longer than high). Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT Essentially a working terrier with ability and conformation to go to ground and run with hounds. Bold and friendly. HEAD CRANIAL REGION: Skull : Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes. Shallow. FACIAL REGION: Nose: Black. Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong , muscular. Teeth with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Eyes : Almond shaped, fairly deep-set, dark, keen expression. Ears : Small, V-shaped, dropping forward, carried close to head, fold not to appear above top of skull. NECK : Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening to shoulders. BODY: Back: Strong and straight. Loin : Slightly arched. Chest : Of moderate depth, capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands. TAIL: Strong, straight, set on high. Customarily docked with length complimenting the body while providing a good handhold. LIMBS FOREQUARTERS : Strong, must be straight with joints turning neither in nor out. Shoulders : Long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers. Elbows : Close to the body, working free of the sides. HINDQUARTERS : Strong, muscular with good angulation and bend of stifle. Hocks short and parallel giving plenty of drive. FEET : Compact with firm pads, turning neither in nor out. GAIT / MOVEMENT : Free, lively, well coordinated; straight action front and behind. SKIN : Must be thick and loose COAT HAIR : Naturally harsh, close and dense, whether rough or smooth. Belly and undersides coated. COLOR : Entirely white or with tan, lemon or black markings, preferably confined to head or root of tail. SIZE : For dogs ideal size at withers 35 cm; For bitches ideal size at withers 33 cm. For a period of time not yet determined, the size of males and bitches should not be less than 26 cm. Dogs which have not the ideal height at withers should not be penalized for this reason and are accepted for breeding purposes without any restriction. FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.