Russell Terrier

Russell Terriers have tons of energy and confidence packed into a tiny frame! These fearless, fun loving little firecrackers have energy to spare and smarts for days. Despite their small size, they’re not well suited to a small living space—Russells need just as much space to run around as the big dogs. Speaking of which, smart as the Russell Terrier may be, they don’t realize they’re not a big dog! They show no fear around bigger dogs, or any other animals for that matter—they’ll stare down a pitbull just as soon as they would stare down a mouse.

While very easy to train, “no” is the hardest command for Russell Terriers. In fact, they do best in big yards with fences, because as far as the Russell is concerned, it’s their world and we’re all just living in it! They are not shy about getting into the neighbour's yard, chasing neighbourhood cats, or even cars. Bred as fox hunting dox, their love of digging and chasing is deep in their DNA. The brash Russell Terrier can a handful, but they’re not just little bundles of energy, they’re little bundles of love! They’re loyal to their families, love to learn tricks and are great companions. Russell Terriers approach loving their owners the same way they approach everything else: With intensity!

Did you know?

Russell Terriers were first recognized by the American Kennel Club as a distinct breed in 2012. They are often confused for their taller and more famous cousin the Jack Russell Terrier, or Parson Russell Terrier.