Swimbridge, spiritual home of the Jack Russell breed

SWIMBRIDGE

Spiritual home of the Jack Russell breed

Devonshire magazine

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Alfie Jones visits the spiritual home of the Jack Russell breed

Pensively resting at the gate to St James Church To the Parson Jack Russell, Swimbridge is a place of great significance Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

The Sporting Parson John "Jack" Russell, a famous Old Blundellian who had amazing vigour and constitution

Trump - the forerunner of the Parson Jack Russell, bought from a milkman whilst studying at Exeter College, Oxford

Parson John 'Jack' Russell's grave at St James Church, Swimbridge. 1795-1883.

A

bout 5 miles out of Barnstaple, you'll f ind the quiet and unassuming village of Swimbridge.

Situated at the bottom of the valley, approaching along the main road you can instantly spot the impressive little church with its metal clad, rocketlike tower. Not only is this church worthy of a visit purely for the fine historical artefacts contained within (see overleaf), but it's also the parish church that parson John 'Jack' Russell, the creator of the Jack Russell breed was vicar for more than 48 years and where his body now lies at rest in the graveyard.

Of course, the Jack Russell breed has its origins in hunting, parson 'Jack' was a fanatical hunter, otherwise known as "The Sporting Parson" and he channelled much of his energy developing what he believed was a dog capable of routing out the fox which had gone to ground and keeping the chase going.

Interestingly, Russell was one of the founder members of The Kennel Club, for which he helped to write the breed

The Sporting Parson - John Russell illustrated in this painting, surrounded by fox hounds and a white terrier (centre front) standard for the Fox Terrier. Russell was a Devonian, born at Dartmouth in 1795, he was schooled at Plympton Grammar School, Blundell's School and finally attended Exeter College at Oxford, where he spotted the milkman's little white terrier bitch,

which had tan spots over her eyes, ears and at the tip of her tail. He bought the bitch called "Trump", which he subsequently used as the foundation for the line of fox hunting terriers that famously became known as the Jack Russell Terriers. There's a

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lot of debate about what constitutes a 'Jack Russell' and indeed what John Russell's original intended formula was. The Parson Jack Russell is a registered breed and it's thought this breed was what John Russell sought to develop, a longer legged terrier, capable of keeping up with the fox hounds, whilst also being able to go to ground to pursue the fox and maintain composure, so as not to attack it. Parson Jack Russells are taller than the ubiquitous Jack Russell, the Kennel Club standard dictating that dogs should stand about 14 inches to the withers (bitches 13"), which is pretty tall for a Jack Russell.

Generally, the non-parson Jack Russells have much shorter legs, although they come in a great variety of sizes, heights and colouration.

Whilst at Oxford, Russell managed to make many aristocratic friends who shared his love of hunting. His first curacy in 1820 was at George Nympton near South Molton, where he befriended the Revd. John Froude of Knowstone, known throughout Devonshire for his love of hounds

and disregard for episcopal matters.

In 1826, Russell married Penelope Incledon Bury, daughter of Admiral Bury of Dennington House, Barnstaple.

Russell moved to Iddesleigh and realised his dream of keeping his own pack of foxhounds, hunting across the moors and becoming known and respected, both by the gentry and rural population for his powers of endurance and masterful control of the pack.

In 1832, Russell was appointed the perpetual curacy of Swimbridge, although soon after, the Bishop of Exeter, martinet Henry Phillpotts, demanded Russell appear before him to answer his charge of neglect, concerned at the time by the number of parsons involved in hunting.

Russell's marriage to the heiress Penelope Incledon-Bury undoubtedly helped finance Russell's expensive hunting habit and he apparently drained the Colleton estate of resources in the process.

There's a famous story about the parson who, at the age of 79, after staying at Ivybridge hunting for the entire week, rode seventy miles to Tordown the following day!

Russell was vicar of Swimbridge for over 48 years, his grave lies in the churchyard.

St James Church is notable in that it has several outstanding features which are featured overleaf.

Where, you may ask, does the non Parson Jack Russell figure in all this?

Well, they have their origins as hunting terriers and generally the Jack Russell term is misapplied to cover the multitude of terriers forms out there.

For centuries, hunting's been a big part of our rural history, but now though, much of that's been consigned to the past. What we're left with is John Russell's legacy, his breeding development work, giving us a superb, feisty, resilient and intelligent little dog with great character.

The Parson Jack Russell What's the difference from the standard Jack?

Longer legs - yes, they should be about 13 to 14 inches tall at the withers (the highest part of the back - above the shoulders).

Smaller ears - moderately small and thick 'v" shaped ears, the tip pointing towards the eyes.

Outline - with a body about as long as the dog is tall. A longer head and larger chest and relatively flat skull.

Coat - either smooth coat or broken (similar to smooth but with some longer hair on the head, face, legs or body. There should only be a hint of eyebrows and beard should the dog be broken coated. They're predominantly white, with black, tan or tricolour markings. Curly or rough coat is not recognised for the Parson breed.

Diet - Extremely fond of all cheese, curry, not keen on dog food.

Temperament - Parsons seem much more laid back. My other Jack Russell (see right) is much more highly strung, seeming to notice every leaf drop or shadow crossing his path. There's quite a marked contrast.

The Parson was bred to rout-out the fox, but not attack. They may be prone to teasing smaller animal which could be a problem if you have another smaller dog or animal. They have a great sense of fun and are always ready to play. They're energetic, the Australian Kennel Club says that at home, they're exuberant, playful and affectionate, I can verify those comments - Editor

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On a hot day, there's nothing so refreshing as watching your dog cool down in the river.

Alfie pictured in the river Sid at Dog Town, South East Devon

Where the Parson Jack Russell excels, at running.

Their longer legs give them a phenomenal turn of speed

Anyone have a biscuit?

Who could resist such a cute doggie.

The Parson (left) and the fox? - well a smaller Jack Russell at least. Jack's on the receiving end of a fair bit of teasing.

Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk