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skunkstripe
10-12-2007, 01:07 PM
There seems to be confusion about the names and which breeds they refer to. The Jack Russell Terrier is not the same thing as the Parson Russell Terrier.
These dogs were developed by the Reverend John Russel for the sport of fox hunting.
Small white fox-working terriers were bred by the Reverend John Russell, a parson and hunting enthusiast born in 1795. In his last year of university at Oxford he bought a small white and tan terrier bitch called Trump from the milk man. Trump was purchased based upon appearance alone. (Burns, 2005) She was the basis for a breeding program to develop a terrier with high stamina for the hunt as well as the courage and formation to chase out foxes that had gone to ground, but without the aggressiveness that would result in physical harm to the fox, which would have ended the chase, and so was considered unsporting. The line of terriers developed by John Russell was well respected for these qualities and his dogs were often taken on by hunt enthusiasts. It is unlikely, however, that any dogs alive today are descended from Trump, as Russell was forced to sell all of his dogs on more than one occasion because of financial difficulty, and had only four aged (and non-breeding) terriers left when he died in 1883. (Burns, 2005)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Russell_Terrier

The JRTCA (http://www.terrier.com/) bitterly opposed recognition of 'their' breed by the AKC in the US, fearing that the focus on showing for conformation to a narrow breed standard and inbreeding would be detrimental to the breed.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) was asked by a minority Jack Russell group to "recognize" the Jack Russell Terrier. It's hard to imagine that such an organization even considered this feisty terrier with its many different sizes, types and varied heritage. JRTCA members showed their support by letting the AKC know loudly and clearly that we didn't need, or want, them involved with the Jack Russell.

The JRTCA will NOT change its direction and principles for the terrier, regardless of actions by the AKC. The JRTCA is proud of its membership, who -- like their terriers -- are a feisty, scrappy lot who fiercely protect their breed in the face of any foe. Everyone's efforts in contacting the AKC are appreciated -- keep up the good work!
http://www.terrier.com/jrtca/noakc.php4


The PRTAA (http://www.prtaa.org/) (formerly JRTBA) contends that many dogs that have been called "Jack Russell Terriers" in fact bore little resemblance to the terriers bred by the Reverend Jack Russell.
The Jack Russell Terrier Association of America(JRTAA), originally the Jack Russell Terrier Breeders Association (JRTBA), was founded in 1985 to help restore and breed to the original Parson Jack Russell Terrier breed standard. The JRTAA standard was based upon the Heinemann standard and was written to represent the Parson Russell Terrier as a working terrier to red fox and red fox alone. With the specified 12" to 14" standard height range, the JRTAA breed standard defined a terrier that could perform the dual functions required of Rev. Russell's terriers, to both follow the fox both above and below ground.
...
In July of 1997, the Board of Directors of the American Kennel Club unanimously accepted the Jack Russell Terrier into its registry, effective November 1, 1997. On January 1, 1998 the breed became eligible for competition in all AKC events, including conformation participation in the Miscellaneous Class at all-breed shows. The breed was accepted into the AKC Terrier Group on April 1, 2000. On April 1, 2003, the name of the breed was changed from Jack Russell Terrier to Parson Russell Terrier to differentiate the true Parson-type terrier from little generic terriers casually referred to as "Jack Russell". The Jack Russell Terrier Association of America club name was changed to Parson Russell Terrier Association of America (PRTAA). The Breed Standard was revised effective September 29, 2004.
http://prtaa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=28

There is obviously some controversy and quite a bit of hard feeling, so don't say they are the same unless you want BOTH camps mad at you! :D

KatzNK9
10-12-2007, 03:07 PM
I think there's still debate about this. I'm certainly not up on this/these breeds so, I'm just going by what I've heard. It would appear that there were 2 distinct breed types. All I can find is that there's only 1 name for them left in registries. (??? I don't know really).

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/parsonrussellterrier.htm

Formerly known as Jack Russell Terrier, the Parson Russell is now recognized by the American Kennel Club.

http://www.miternfarm.com/


The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially accepted the “Parson Russell Terrier” as "Jack Russell Terrier" in 2000. In 2003, the change was made to Parson Russell Terriers to bring the breed more in line with The British Kennel Club and in European standards.

The World Federation of Dogs (FCI) accepted the (short legged) Terriers in 2000, under the name of “Jack Russell Terrier.” The United Kennel Club accepted the Russell Terriers in 2002 under the name of "Russell Terriers". The AKC has accepted the “Russell Terriers” in into FSS in 2007. We realize this may be confusing, so please learn the difference and make your purchase wisely.

http://www.petsonsale.com/html/breeds/jack-russell-terrier.htm


Description: Perhaps most famous as the actor on "Wishbone" (the children's PBS series), the Parson Jack Russell Terrier or Parson Jack Russell Terrier is a small, agile, brave animal. These terriers are good at hunting small animals like foxes and raccoons. Like other terriers they need activity or may become bored and invent their own entertainment. They need room to run and play. Being confined in an apartment is not recommended. Parson Jack Russells are clean and very trainable little dogs.
NOTE: The Parson Russell Terrier was recognized as the Jack Russell Terrier by the AKC on July 8, 1997. On April 1st, 2003 the name was officially changed to Parson Russell Terrier. Our name change is in keeping with the country of origin (UK). (Information courtesy of http://www.prtaa.org/.


More info:

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/jackrussell.htm

skunkstripe
10-12-2007, 03:19 PM
That is basically the point of view of the PRTAA breed club / AKC and disregards the JRTCA. I am not sure what to say about the "Parson Jack Russells" described on the Canadian site.

KatzNK9
10-12-2007, 03:21 PM
Sounds like this one is going to take awhile longer to fully play out.

skunkstripe
10-12-2007, 03:26 PM
I think part of the reason for the confusion is that the AKC did recognize the breed in 1997 and called it a Jack Russell Terrier and later changed the name to the Parson Russell (in 2003).
http://prtaa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=24&Itemid=29

The PRTAA started as the JRTBA and inbetween was the JRTAA.

KatzNK9
10-12-2007, 04:08 PM
You'd think they would have respected both sides of the dispute rather than adopting one name or the other. I'm sure that, in itself, was more than controversial without having anything specific to do with either dog type.

JRT Lover
07-04-2008, 12:13 AM
I couldn't agree with you more they are as different as apples and oranges. Thank you for pointing it out as I was about to do. Someone one this board claimed that the name Jack Russell Terrier was changed to Parson's Russell Terrier but that they were the same dog. I think not! LOL