A terrier can test normal/clear (has 2 normal genes), or be a carrier (has one normal gene and one mutated gene) or can test affected (have two mutated genes and will develop the disease at sometime in the future. A terrier that has two clear parents is clear by parentage and does not need to be tested.

The purpose of this website is to share our knowledge and love of the Jack Russell Terrier with other enthusiasts throughout the world. We are NOT a commercial enterprise, nor is this website commercial in any way. Our terriers are our hobby and a huge part of our daily lives. We are proud of our terriers, who they are in personality and what they represent in quality. They are the living embodiment of our passion and dedication to this wonderful breed. These individuals are part of our heart and soul.

What is a Russell Terrier: Throughout the rest of the kennel club world in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, this breed is known as the Jack Russell Terrier. There is so much confusion among the general public regarding the difference between a Parson Russell and a Jack Russell or Russell Terrier. Although the two breeds are reputed to have historically originated in England from the working kennel of the Reverand John Russell, after Russell's death, two distinct varieties emerged with differences mainly in height and in proportion. The Parson Russell Terrier is a taller, leggier terrier that appears approximately square standing between 12" and 15" at the withers. The Jack Russell Terrier, or Russell Terrier as he is known in the United States, stands between 10" and 12" and is slightly longer than he is tall, giving an overall rectangular appearance. His depth of body from withers to brisket is equal to the length of his leg from the elbow to the ground. But whether one is looking at a Parson Russell or a Russell Terrier, the legs must be as straight as an arrow.

Our goals: At Falling Branch, we are dedicated to showing and breeding showing the same outstanding quality Russell Terrier/Jack Russell Terrier that we have been breeding in the Parson Russell Terrier world and prior to that in the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America. And so we embark in the AKC world of the Russell Terrier with foundation breeding conforming to the internationally accepted FCI and ANKC breed standards. We have searched the world for the very best quality Jack Russell Terriers to add to our own long standing bloodlines. Our search led us to terriers of bloodlines directly from the country of development and to breeders whose ethics and philosophy parallel our own--those who are known for subscribing to a tradition of excellence. It is the best of the Australian short Russell bloodlines that we are proud to add to our breeding program.

Our terriers do not just have a few generations of kennel club registered ancestors. Instead, we can trace our terriers pedigrees back for 8, 10, 12 and more generations. They do not come from recently developed shorties, but rather carry numerous generations of documented, registered, champion ancestors from Australia, the country of development, and England, the country of origin. There is no shortcut to breeding dogs of exceptional quality with generations of champions in their pedigrees and are healthy, temperamentally sound dogs that make loving pets as well as top show dogs. Blood tells, and extensive pedigrees of proven quality insures that we are producing pups of notable, long-standing heritage.

At Falling Branch, we are dedicated to the same soundess of temperament and genetic health in our Russell Terriers aka short Jack Russell Terriers as we are in our Parson Russells. Consequently, all of our Russell Terriers are BAER normal and annually CERF clear. Patellas and hips are checked, annual thyroid panels performed and cardiac functions checked. A healthy Russell Terrier is of paramount importance to us! Our Russell Terriers are first and foremost our cherished companions and friends that share our lives, our homes and our hearts.

We are located in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains in southwestern Virginia. Feel free to e-mail, phone or just drop by and get to know our Russell Terriers. We will be delighted to help you learn about this wonderful little terrier.

What a Russell Terrier is NOT: Some people mistake the shorter legged Jack Russell Terrier aka Russell Terrier to be a terrier with Queen Anne legs, very short legs and very long back. This couldn't be more incorrect. This breed is NOT what is known as a pud or pudding or Pudding Jack Russell Terrier. A "pud" or "pudding" is NOT a Russell Terrier. A benched legged dog is NOT a Russell Terrier. A little terrier with pricked ears is NOT a Russell Terrier. A shortie under 10" is NOT a Russell Terrier. A pup that comes from under 10" parents or ancestors with bent/crooked/benched legs or priced ears does NOT come from quality Russell Terrier breeding stock. Do NOT be fooled into paying a large price for a pup from parents like the above.

Many people call these little dogs shorties or shorty Russells. Both the FCI and Australian breed standard calls for a dog SLIGHTLY longer in body than he is tall. A Russell Terrier that is 2 inches longer or more than he is tall is incorrect, not desirable and is a fault. A Russell Terrier with VERY short, stubby legs is also incorrect, a fault and not desirable. Any deviation from an arrow-straight leg is a fault. Not only is a bent leg a fault, but it is a genetic disorder and unhealthy. A benched leg or crooked leg is termed achondroplastic and is a sign of dwarfism.

If you want a real short legged Russell called the Russell Terrier then please learn what this breed is and what it is NOT. The Russell Terrier has a breed standard just like every other breed in the world. Please go to our link above to the right titled The Breed and read the internationally accepted history and breed standard for the Russell Terrier. If you want a Russell Terrier then make sure both parents are AKC FSS registered and that the puppy you buy also has AKC registration papers. Accept no less!

Which U.S. Kennel Club Registries recognize the Russell Terrier: The UKC first recognized and registered the short Jack Russell Terrier aka Russell Terrier on January 1, 2001, with the internationally accepted FCI breed standard. The UKC wisely changed the name of the breed to its proper, internationally accepted name of "Jack Russell Terrier" on January 1, 2009. The AKC began to include the Russell Terrier aka short legged Jack Russell Terrier into the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) in January 2006. We hope that the Russell Terrier registry will advance in numbers and quality quickly enough so that this little shorty Russell will be included in the prestigious Terrier Group within a year. Our Jack Russell Terriers/Russell Terriers are both UKC and AKC registered, and all of our foundation adults come from ANKC registered Jack Russell Terriers.

Where to learn more about the short legged Jack Russell Terrier: If you are interested in this charming breed with all its spunk and fire and its long heritage as a working terrier and as a pet, a show dog and an all around companion please browse through our website. Read the breed standard and take a look at the photos of our Russell Terriers and of some of their ancestors. Check out the links to some of the Australian Jack Russell Terrier clubs including the Jack Russell Terrier Club of New South Wales, the Australian National Kennel Council and the FCI to learn more about this breed. And don't forget to check out the American Kennel Club website to learn about the Russell Terrier and the sport of purebred dogs in the US. Check back here to see Mrs. Rita Francis-Little's Illustrated Breed Standard on the short Jack Russell Terrier. We consider this the only complete, accurate and extraordinarily professional work to date on the breed.