Breed standardParson Russell Terrier

General Appearance	Workmanlike, active and agile; built for speed and endurance. Overall picture of balance and flexibility. Honourable scars permissible.
Characteristics	Essentially a working terrier with ability and conformation to go to ground and run with hounds.
Temperament	Bold and friendly.
Head and Skull	Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes. Shallow stop. Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. Nose black.
Eyes	Almond-shaped, fairly deep-set, dark, keen expression.
Ears	Small, V-shaped, dropping forward, carried close to head, tip of ear to reach corner of eye, fold not to appear above top of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.
Mouth	Jaws strong, muscular. Teeth with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening to shoulders.
Forequarters	Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers. Legs strong, must be straight with joints turning neither in nor out. Elbows close to body, working free of the sides.
Body	Ribs not over-sprung. Chest of moderate depth, not to come below point of elbow, capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands. Back strong and straight. Loin slightly arched. Well balanced. Overall length slightly longer than height from withers to ground.
Hindquarters	Strong, muscular with good angulation and bend of stifle. Hocks set low and rear pasterns parallel giving plenty of drive.
Feet	Compact with firm pads, turning neither in nor out.
Tail	Previously customarily docked. Docked: Length complimenting the body while providing a good handhold. Strong, straight, moderately high set, carried well up on the move. Undocked: Of moderate length and as straight as possible, giving a general balance to the dog, thick at the root and tapering towards the end. Moderately high set, carried well up on the move.
Gait/Movement	Free-striding, well co-ordinated; straight action front and behind.
Coat	Naturally harsh, close and dense, whether rough or smooth. Belly and undersides coated. Skin must be thick and loose.
Colour	Entirely white or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black markings, or any combination of these colours, preferably confined to the head and/or root of tail.
Size	Most importantly a working terrier should be capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average sized hands. Ideal height at withers: dogs 36 cms (14 ins.), bitches 33 cms (13 ins.) It is recognised that smaller terriers are required for work in certain areas and lower heights are therefore quite acceptable provided that soundness and balance are maintained.
Faults	Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Notes	Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.