Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison

Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier - Breed ComparisonBoth Parson Russell Terrier and Wire Haired Fox Terrier are originated from United Kingdom. Both Parson Russell Terrier and Wire Haired Fox Terrier are having almost same height. Both Parson Russell Terrier and Wire Haired Fox Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Parson Russell Terrier and Wire Haired Fox Terrier has almost same life span. Both Parson Russell Terrier and Wire Haired Fox Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Parson Russell Terrier and Wire Haired Fox Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Terrier dog
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United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
33 - 36 cm
12 - 15 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Height Female:
33 - 36 cm
12 - 15 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
4 - 6
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Parson, Jack Russell Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier
Colors Available:
White, black - tri-colored, tan, fawn
White, tan and black
Coat:
Short and smooth, rough or broken
Medium length, wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

parson russell terrierThe Parson Russell Terrier hails from England and is a small to medium sized dog dating back to the 18th century. It is believed that Reverend John ‘Jack’ Russell was the developer of this dog. The Parson has always been involved with England’s sport of foxhunting.

They’re spritely and quick and have been able to keep up on a hunt and take on a fox in its lair. The dog was first recognized in 1990 in the United Kingdom as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier and in America in 1997.

All the top kennel clubs recognize this dog as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier.

wire haired fox terrierThe Wire Haired Fox Terrier originates in England, and it is thought that the dog developed from the white English Terrier being crossed with the Bull Terrier and maybe even the Beagle.

The hunting crowd wanted a dog that was small enough to disappear down a hole to flush out a fox.

Even though the Wire Haired Fox Terrier used to be a pet of Queen Victoria as well as King Edward VII, it only became popular as a family pet in the 1930s.

Description

parson russell terrier puppy - descriptionThe Parson Jack Russell is essentially a white dog with black and tan or orange-fawn patches. He can be tri-colored too. The coat is either smooth, rough or broken.

He stands at between 33–36cm tall at the withers and weighs between 5 and 8kg. Unlike the Jack Russell, the Parson Russell Terrier has longer legs. He has some longer hair on the head, legs and body. The ears are floppy wit the tip pointed forward. The tail has always been docked but when left long it it held high, slightly curving over the back.

Temperament:

Feisty, brave, cheeky and alert, the Parson Russell Terrier is an energetic dog who gets on well with children as he knows that this is essentially where his games come from.

He is bold and clever and you’ll be able to have him trained and socialized without any trouble. These little dogs are full of life and they are protective of their humans and their property, making excellent watchdogs.

wire haired fox terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a medium-sized dog, standing at between 33 and 38cm in height and weighing between 6 and 9 kg.

The face is fairly long and he has semi-erect, semi-floppy ears and the high set tail is usually docked. The double coat is wiry, curly and coarse and is essentially white with tan or black markings. White is always the predominant color of the Wire Haired Fox Terrier.

Temperament:

This little dog is cheerful, cheeky, playful, feisty, lovable and full of the joys of life. He is also strong-willed and independent.

He makes a great playmate for kids and loves being in the company of his human family. He will get on well with other pets in the family too.

He is intelligent which means you can have him easily trained and socialized and the kids will love to teach him some tricks too. He is a high energy dog and will require a good dose of exercise.

He’ll become stressed and frustrated if he doesn't get the exercise he needs.

Characteristics

parson russell terrier dog - characteristicsIn general the Parson is a friendly,loving dog, fairly small but packed full of feisty personality.

They make excellent pets for the entire family. He is an intelligent dog, but typical of most terriers he can be stubborn, but this can easily be fixed with training and socialization. With good care, he’ll make you a wonderful little pet and companion.

wire haired fox terrier dog - characteristicsOne thing is for sure – when you bring a Wire Haired Fox Terrier into your home, you’re going to have a dog with endless energy. It is why they make such good pets when you’ve got kids in the house.

They like to please their owners and they respond well to training and socialization. They’re also brave and protective, making good watchdogs.

They’re loving, loyal and companionable, and there are plenty of stories about the loyalty of these dogs. Anyone who has had one of them as a pet will tell you what splendid dogs they are.

Health Problems

parson russell terrier puppies - health problemsYour Parson Jack Russell can live to be between 12 and 15 years but nonetheless he does have some breed-related health issues to watch for.

Eye Disorders:

Eye conditions which can affect this dog include primary lens luxation,cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. With cataracts the lens of the eye develops a cloudy look resulting in poorer vision and sometimes blindness. Cataract surgery is available for dogs.

Obesity:

Your Parson Jack Russel should be lean and muscular and always full of energy. Avoid feeding him unhealthy treats which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Parasites:

All kinds of parasites such as ticks, fleas and worms can invade your dog’s body. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms can cause havoc with their health and some of these parasites can even be transmitted to humans. It’s why it is important to get your puppy to the vet to be de-wormed and to get his first injections.

Liver Problems:

A liver disorder known as portosystemic shunt can mean that some of the blood supply doesn’t get to the liver and it doesn’t function properly. This will mean the liver can’t remove toxins from the bloodstream effectively.

wire haired fox terrier puppies - health problemsThese robust little dogs can succumb to any one of the many common dog illnesses there are -

Epilepsy:

The Wirehaired Foxy is a healthy dog, but it is thought that Epilepsy could be a problem with this breed. Your spunky dog may seem a little bit confused before he falls to the floor lying on his side and twitching like he’s having a bad dream.

This is brought on by uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the dog’s brain. The seizure can last for a minute or so but even so, whether it is a twitch or violent shuddering, it can leave you shocked and disturbed.

He can sometimes even urinate during the seizure. It is imperative to get your pet to the vet who will know precisely how it can be controlled.

Dental Problems:

Dental disease is also a common problem with dogs and unfortunately, your Wire Haired Fox Terrier also battles with this. The problem starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and then it can cause infection of the gums and roots of the teeth.

Left unattended to, your pet could lose his teeth, and it jeopardizes your pet’s health as well.

Caring The Pet

parson russell terrier dogs - caringThe Parson Russell Terrier has different coat types – the smooth and rough and both will require regular brushing. Rough coats will require plucking or clipping to avoid matting.

Check his eyes and ears regularly. Look inside his ears for excess wax and dirt which could lead to an ear infection. His nails should also be trimmed.

No Puppies – Spay or Neuter:

The best thing you can do for your Parson Russell Terrier if you don’t want your pet producing puppies is to have it spayed or neutered. Spaying for females or neutering for males decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers too so it can be beneficial.

Diet:

Diet is hugely important for a Parson Russell Terrier and the food you decide for him can impact his health. Many time those ‘treats’ you feed your pet do nothing more but give him a stomach ache.

It's tempting to pop chocolates, popcorn, nuts and ice cream into your pets mouth when he is so adorable but in the long run it is shortening his life. All he basically requires and needs is a simple, consistent diet of the top commercially manufactured foods mixed with some tasty home made food from time to time.

Boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach will do your pet wonders. Ensure he always has fresh, cool water available to him.

wire haired fox terrier dogs - caringGroom your pet. Brush twice weekly. Wire Haired Fox Terrier owners like to hand their pets in at professional groomers to have their hair cut short and made more manageable. The hair is kept quite long around the muzzle.

Check inside the ears that there are no signs of infection.

Trim the nails.

Exercise your pet every day.

Provide your pet with the best food there is. Always buy high quality food that can contribute to your pet’s health and which is suitable for his size, age and activity levels. The Wire Haired Fox Terrier is inclined to be a greedy dog and with a dog like this weight gain can slowly increase and can become a health problem.

Spay or Neuter. This is an excellent idea for your pet if you don’t want puppies. Not only that, spaying or neutering actually decreases the likelihood of your pet getting some types of cancer.

Provide your pet with his own dry, warm, quiet sleep area.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  8. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  10. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
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  26. Parson Russell Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Parson Russell Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Parson Russell Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Parson Russell Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Parson Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Parson Russell Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Parson Russell Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Parson Russell Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Parson Russell Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Parson Russell Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Parson Russell Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Parson Russell Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Parson Russell Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Parson Russell Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Parson Russell Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Parson Russell Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Parson Russell Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Parson Russell Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Parson Russell Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Parson Russell Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Parson Russell Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Parson Russell Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Parson Russell Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Parson Russell Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Parson Russell Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison