Once upon a time, hunting was a favorite pastime among men of property,
including men of the church. We can thank one of those hard-hunting
English parsons for the Jack Russell Terrier, developed to hunt fox in
the south of England some 200 years ago. Parson John Russell, "Jack" to
his friends, wanted an efficient hunting dog and decided to design
exactly the dog he had in mind. The result was a bold, athletic dog who
won hearts with his quickness, intelligence, determination, and intense
desire to hunt.
The Jack Russell Terrier, also called the Parson Russell Terrier, is a
favorite among horse owners, dog sports enthusiasts, animal trainers for
film and television, and people who simply appreciate his fearless
personality, boundless energy, entertaining antics, and portable size.