Читать книгу Jack Russell Terrier: An Owner’s Guide - Robert Killick - Страница 23

Other enthusiasts, who wanted to show their dogs, followed a different path to their eventual recognition by the Kennel Club. In 1894, Heinemann formed the Devon & Somerset Badger Club, which later changed its name to the Parson Jack Russell Club and became one of the 28 clubs affiliated to the Fox Terrier Club in the 1930s. Sadly, they folded just before World War II but some breeders still clung to the old ideals of a terrier whose legs were long enough to allow him to run with the hounds, whose chest could be spanned and who was courageous and strong enough to face an angry fox in his lair. They thought, rightly or wrongly, that the only way to preserve the real Jack Russell was to gain recognition from the Kennel Club and to have an official Standard for the breed.

Late in 1983 there was a rumour that supporters of a short-legged variety were to apply for recognition to the Kennel Club, so the enthusiasts for the show dogs, who believed their version was closer to the original, hurriedly formed the Parson Jack Russell Club and applied for recognition, which was refused. In 1990, after much controversy and several attempts, the new club received Kennel Club recognition and its eventual name was The Parson Russell Club.

The Parson Russell Terrier has slightly longer legs than the working-type Jack Russell, making it easier for him to run with hounds.