I am adding this page as I don't think it is fair that everyone else in the house has been mentioned and the Russells haven't. They do hate to be left out! Anyone who has been owned by a Russell will know what I mean.
They are a breed of their very own. I have lived with one or more Russells for nearly 20 years and they are the only breed David has ever had. I vow never again but in my heart I know I can not live with a normal dog. I believe that if you can survive living with a Russell you will never want to be without one.
Russells have had a bad press over the years. People tend to view them as yappy, nippy little things. This can be true if the dog is allowed to get away with it. They have the brain to know how much they can get away with!
I have been very lucky with my dogs, especialy the last two that had to put up with Becky and Adam doing unmentionable things with them. I have never had to worry about the dog's temperament where the children are concerned.
They come into the house no bigger than your hand, wagging that little stumpy tail, and before you know it: total chaos. How something so small can make so much mess is beyond me. Abbey chewed her way around the house: she cost us a fortune in chairs and carpets, not to mention childrens toys and shoes. Now she wouldn't dream of touching anything that doesn't belong to her. She does have more toys than the two kids put together, but she loves to play. Bumble could clear a 5 foot gate from a standing position. I am amazed how a Russell can change from a floppy wriggly idiot to a sensible solid ( turgid as we say in our house) animal almost overnight. I have known many breed of dogs and I'm sure this is unique to Russells.
There has been a lot of discussion as to the correct size of a Russell, and over the years they have got bigger. Now they are recognised by the KennelClub as Parsons Jack Russells. Although these dogs are attractive to look at, to me they are not proper Russells. In my view a Russell should be 9-12 inches at the shoulder. The colouring is all wrong as well. They should be mainly white with a coloured head and the odd patch on the body. The hair is either short or rough. Abbey is bigger than I would have liked, but when we bought her we couldn't resist those big brown eyes. Nearly four years later they still get to me!
I would never have 2 bitches at the same time again. Bumble and Abbey hated each other and if given the chance would fight. This meant constant separation. It worked out very well and they had a rota as to who was where. Never again though. This is a problem with Russells: once they get something into their heads it will not go away. Both have scars on their faces from past battles. Abbey is now an only dog as Bumble had to be put to sleep last year and is missed by all, except Abbey, but life is much easier with just one.
To get my revenge on Abbey I am going to put on some pictures of how she sleeps. It is ridiculous and embarrassing: on her back with her legs in the air and ears everywhere. That's to pay her back for all the damage she has done to the house and my nerves over the last four years.
