There are now two recognized breeds, namely the Parson Russell terrier and the Jack Russell terrier. To understand the similarities and differences of the two breeds, we must go back to their origins.
Origins of the Terrier
Terriers are believed to be descended from small hunting dogs brought to Britain by the Romans. They have been used for hunting since time immemorial. They were first used to fight vermin and also learned to go underground (TERRA is the Latin word for earth).
Although most people associate terriers with England, they were actually first documented in France.
Terriers only became common in Britain in the 16th century. While they were first bred as hunting dogs, breeders later bred dogs in certain quarries. Some terriers were masters at tracking and catching rats and mice. Others were specially trained to hunt weasels and otters. Through this process of selecting for certain traits, several varieties of terriers were developed over time. The Jack Russell descended from fox terrier types and was originally bred to hunt foxes.
It was a priest, the Reverend John Russell (1795-1883), who gave this breed its present form. I needed a dog that could work well underground. In 1819 he bought a female terrier, ‘Trump’, and she was the first of a long series of dogs that Russell used to create what he thought was the ideal working dog. Only towards the end of his life did the terrier as we know it today emerge. ‘Jack’, of course, is short for ‘John’, hence the names Jack Russell and Parson Russell. Three different types of this breed have been developed over time.
The wire-haired fox terrier
This breed was recognized in Great Britain in 1913.
Working Parson or Hunting Russell Terrier
Young dogs that seem particularly apt for hunting were selected for further breeding. Generally these dogs are somewhat taller.
The family pet Jack Russell Terrier
Dogs that did not meet the high standards of hunting dogs were sold as family pets.
In many cases, the lineages of the three varieties continued to interbreed, but over time the three breeds increasingly differed from each other. Jack Russell terrier clubs were formed, especially in Great Britain and the United States. However, there was absolutely no sign of harmonization or official recognition. This has only changed in recent times. The Kennel Club of Great Britain recognized the breed on January 22, 1990, and published a provisional official standard under the name Parson Jack Russell terrier. A few months later, the breed was accepted by the FCI (the coordinating organization for Western European kennel clubs).