The breed we know today as the parson russell terrier was created by John (Jack) Russell, a Devon clergyman born in 1795. He was one of the early members of the British Kennel Club (founded in 1873) and a dedicated hunter and horseman. Russell got his first terrier while studying at Oxford, a mainly white dog which formed the base for his breeding project. He crossed different types of terriers, always striving for working ability rather than an uniform standard look.
After the second World War, the parson russell terrier grew in popularity, and it was recognized by the British Kennel club in 1990, though it didn't get its current breed name until 1999.
The parson russell terrier should be a small, active, strong, fast dog with great endurance and a brave, friendly temperament. The head is rather broad with little stop. The muzzle should be slightly shorter than the skull. The eyes are dark with an alert expression, the ears small and V-shaped, carried close to the head. The neck is of good length, dry and muscular. The body should be proportionate and slightly rectangular, with rather deep chest and straight back. Straight frontlegs with good angulation in hind. The tail is powerful, straight and set high. The coat is hard and close-laying, either smooth or wire.