Russell Terrier

The Russell terrier is a small earthworking terrier tied to Reverend John Russell's fox-hunting dogs in England and later refined as a shorter, slightly longer-bodied type in Australia. In many registries it is separate from the taller Parson Russell Terrier and from less standardized Jack Russell Terrier lines. The dog is mostly white with tan, black, or tricolor markings, a flexible chest for going to ground, and a smooth, broken, or rough coat.

A Russell terrier may be compact, but it is not a low-effort lap dog. It was bred to think fast, dig, chase, and bark when working, so secure fencing, recall training, and supervised access to small pets are important. Active homes often use earthdog, agility, scent games, or long walks to keep the dog settled indoors. Smooth coats are easy to brush, while broken and rough coats may need hand-stripping or careful trimming. Buyers should ask about eye testing, patellar luxation, hearing, and temperament around other dogs.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, White and Black, White and Tan, White Black and Tan, Yellow