Russell Terrier
OVERVIEW OF THE RUSSELL TERRIER
Russell Terriers are an exceptionally intelligent, endlessly friendly, and undeniably adorable dog breed. It’s a little dog with a large personality. These small dogs are exceptionally easy to train, adore learning and performing tricks, and are nearly the definition of “cute tiny dog” in the dictionary.
The Russell Terrier was bred for hunting foxes, wolves, and farm rodents and has small, wiry fur and a compact body with short, curious eyes. All this contributes to its disarmingly lovely appearance. Under the hood, you’ll find a mind that absorbs information like a sponge and is equipped with a nearly single-minded prey drive.
All of this adds up to a dog who, for the proper owner, can be an outstanding companion. The Russell Terrier enjoys running, competing, digging, hunting, and playing. Tricks and games help maintain attention and happiness. But make no mistake, it is a high-maintenance dog breed that may grow obstinate and is prone to mischief if bored or not properly guided.
HISTORY
Russell Terriers are true working terriers. The breed is named after John Russell, who developed one of England’s finest lines of working terriers. Since its origin in the early 1800s, the Russell Terrier has been bred exclusively for hunting. It’s a howling terrier, which means the dog should use its constant barking to flush out its prey but never kill it.
After John Russell’s death, two Southern men with dogs bred from one of John Russell’s pups made significant strides in maintaining the standard. They bred to hunt foxes and were required to work alongside hounds, cover long distances without slowing down, be small enough to enter a fox lair and be brave enough to hold the fox. These characteristics speak much about their unwavering perseverance, strong will, and ability to get along with other canines, not to mention their fervent passion for digging.
Arthur Blake Heinemann developed the first breed standard. This was followed by the Somerset Badger Club and the Devon being founded the following year (1894) to support badger digging as a substitute for breeding terriers and fox hunting. It was at the beginning of the 20th century that the name Russell was given to this type of dog breed.
Later, the club’s name was known as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club. It was discovered that badger digging required a different sort of dog than fox hunting, and it’s possible that Bull Terrier stock was introduced to enhance the breed, which could have resulted in a Russell type with small legs. While a division was becoming obvious between show and working fox terriers, a second division was occurring between two distinct types of white terriers that both carried the name Russell Terrier.
Heinemann was requested to judge working terrier classes at Crufts to bring working terriers into the show ring and encourage those who reject working abilities in dogs. Various judges continued the courses for several years, but Charles Cruft abandoned the effort because the classes were never widely contended. After Heinemann died in 1930, the club was led by Annie Harris, but the organization faded before World War II.
After World War II, the number of hunting dogs and Russell Terriers decreased. Dogs were more prevalent in households as family and companion pets. Over time, Chihuahuas, Welsh Corgis, and other small terrier breeds crossbred significantly. These crossbreeds became known as “Puddin’ Dogs”, “Russell Terriers” and “Shortie Jacks.”
RUSSELL TERRIER TRAITS
Appearance
Russell Terriers are renowned for their petite, inquisitive looks, keen, bright eyes, and overall friendly nature. Most dogs in this breed are white with black, tan spots, or brown, and their coat may either be “broken” or “smooth.”
Russells were bred to go to the ground and pursue burrowing prey; thus, their bodies were square and compact. Russell Terriers are characterized by their small size, with males and females being 10 to 12 inches in height and weighing 9 to 15 pounds.
Temperament
Russell Terriers are typically highly intelligent, brave, athletic, and vocal dogs. Originally bred to flush foxes from their burrows or dens during hunts, they’re now used on a variety of ground-dwelling prey, including groundhogs, otters, badgers, red and grey foxes, and groundhogs. They must discover prey in the ground and then either hold it or bolt it in place till they are excavated. To achieve this, the dog won’t bark but will require continuous attention to the prey. It isn’t uncommon for these dogs to get irritated or destructive if they aren’t appropriately stimulated and exercised. When left alone, they get bored very quickly and may resort to finding their own ways to stay engaged.
When properly socialized, Russell Terriers are great with kids but will not stand any kind of mistreatment, not even accidental. Their extreme energy and drive make them perfect options for various canine sports, like flyball and agility. Potential owners are also advised to enroll their dogs in obedience classes, as they can be stubborn and violent towards other humans and animals if not properly socialized. Despite their small size, they aren’t recommended for condos or apartment dwellers unless the owner is willing to undertake the challenging task of giving the dog the required amount of activity and stimulation. They have remarkable energy relative to their size, occasionally leading to conflicts with larger animals.
FOOD AND HEALTH OF THE RUSSELL TERRIER
Diet
The Russell Terrier requires a diet comprised of high-quality, well-balanced components. Maintaining its high activity level will require a diet rich in energy and nutrients. Remember feeding your furry friend a poor diet causes a variety of issues. The breed is particularly susceptible to gaining weight and developing dietary allergies, significantly inhibiting their instinct to run and play. As a little breed, they can develop Hypoglycemia.
Your young Russell Terrier will benefit greatly from all of these things. Their energy needs increase as they develop and grow. So, it is essential to provide any Russell Terrier dog food developed specifically for their age. It should be high in energy and nutrients while freeing fillers and artificial additives.
Feed your Russell Terrier puppy a meal of fresh, high-quality products to ensure they receive the finest nutrition possible. Below are some excellent ideas for Russell Terrier homemade dog food recipes.
- Chicken and quinoa
- Beef and barley
- Lamb with brown rice
A Russell Terrier weighs between 13 to 17 pounds on average. Based on their activity level, dogs of this size require between 450 to 650 calories each day. Until your Russell Terrier is roughly one year old, puppies require between 800 and 900 calories for healthy growth. If your dog is seven years or older, the higher amount will satisfy the Russell Terrier’s energy requirements.
Dry kibble should make most of your Russell Terrier’s food. These foods aid in warding off tartar and plaque formation on teeth because of their crunchiness. Plaque and tartar buildup can cause dental issues in tiny breeds such as the Russell Terrier. Follow the manufacturer’s daily feeding instructions for your dog, depending on your pet’s weight. Since the Russell Terrier has a small stomach, it can only eat a small quantity at a time. That’s why the appropriate digestion of food is facilitated by dividing the daily intake into two to three meals.
TRAINING AND EXERCISE
Exercise
The Russell Terrier isn’t appropriate for a couch-potato family. This breed is ideal for outdoorsy families that enjoy frequent bike trips, treks, and long daily walks due to its high level of energy and persistent nature. Finding games your dog enjoys playing will help keep its mind and body active. With an almost endless supply of activity, this breed is an ideal companion dog for children who are familiar with dogs. The breed retains a high prey drive and must be socialized extensively from an early age to avoid any potential issues this trait may cause.
Their high energy keeps them constantly prepared for action. They have the stamina to complete a full workweek because they were originally bred to do a canine job, such as fetching game for hunters or herding animals. They require a substantial amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation, and they like playing, jumping, and discovering new sights and smells.
Without sufficient activity, this breed may gain weight and behave in undesirable ways, including chewing, barking, and digging.
Training and socialization
Russell Terriers are excited to spend more time with you, and they are typically eager students. They can be stubborn and easily distracted, so consistency, gentleness, and dog treats are necessary. The energetic and athletic Russell Terrier excels in most dog activities and agility training. The breed thrives in Earthdog trials, which evaluate its ability to locate rodents underground. They must also undergo extensive obedience training that helps rein in the breed’s more difficult habits.
Russell Terriers were initially developed to chase foxes, and they still possess these instincts. They’re the famous canines bred for their hunting abilities in the United States.
When training a Russell Terrier, having a sense of humor is a must. They are incredibly brilliant and enjoy problem-solving and playing games. They quickly learn techniques and like entertaining crowds. Also, they dedicate themselves to any task or activity with the same zeal they were developed for. If you want puppies to learn, training sessions should be exciting because they are easily bored.
HEALTH CONCERNS OF THE RUSSELL TERRIER
As with all breeds, Russell Terriers are susceptible to various health problems. Not all Russell Terriers are susceptible to them, but it’s vital to be aware of these diseases if you adopt this breed.
Make sure to get a puppy from a trustworthy breeder who can verify the parents’ good health. Having a health clearance means that a dog has been checked for and found to be free of a certain disease or illness. Anticipate receiving health certifications from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) stating that Russell Terrier’s eyes are normal and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for patellas (knees).
Health clearances aren’t given to dogs younger than two years old because many health problems don’t show up until a dog reaches full maturity. You should look for a breeder who waits at least two or three years before using a dog for breeding. The Russell Terrier Club of America does not register dogs with inherited problems; before registration, canines must undergo a veterinarian check.
Legg-Calve-Perthes
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease typically affects tiny breeds. This disorder, a malformation of the hip joint’s ball, might be mistaken for hip dysplasia. It can be surgically treated, and the prognosis is excellent with rehab therapy.
Patellar Luxations
Small dogs often get patellar luxation, which is also termed “slipped stifles.” It is caused by improper alignment of the patella’s three components: the femur patella (knee cap), (thigh bone) and tibia (calf). It causes limb lameness or an uneven gait comparable to skipping or hopping. It is present at birth, but the actual imbalance or luxation may not necessarily develop until much later. Due to friction, patellar luxation can cause arthritis, a degenerative joint disease. There’re four grades of patellar luxation, extending from grade I, an infrequent luxation that causes transient lameness, to grade IV, in which the tibial rotation is extensive, and the patella cannot be manually aligned. It gives the dog the appearance of having bow legs. Severe levels of patellar luxation might require surgical treatment.
Irrespective of how healthy and active your dog is when you bring it home for the first time, you should be prepared for any concerns that may arise during its lifetime. A pet insurance policy might help you be prepared for your dog’s veterinary expenses.
GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR RUSSELL TERRIER
The Russell Terrier’s rugged appearance is simple to maintain. There are three varieties of coats: broken, smooth, and rough. The rough and damaged coats require weekly brushing or combing but are generally left natural with minimal maintenance. A once-per-week thorough brushing with a hound glove or a soft brush will keep the short, thick, and smooth coat in excellent condition. A Russell Terrier should have its nails trimmed once a month, and its ears should be checked weekly for extra wax or debris and cleaned as necessary.