Falling Branch Parson Russell Terriers resemble the Parson's terriers so closley that you'd think that the 1800 Arthur Wardle painting above was commissioned using our Falling Branch David and The Hollow Natasha as the models. The resemblance is uncanny from the conformation right down to the markings.

The terrier that we show, work, breed and live with is the original "fox working" terrier of long ago. He is structured both physically and mentally to work fox in the earth as his heritage dictates. He is a joy in the house as a family member draped over a chair or curled up on the sofa, and he is a demon in the ground as he pursues the wiley red fox in his den. For wherever the fox shall go, so goeth the Parson Russell Terrier.

Falling Branch is a small kennel nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia. We strive to breed a balanced AKC and UKC registered terrier from proven English and American working bloodlines, always placing emphasis on temperament, conformation and hunting ability.

We breed only 1 or 2 select litters a year from terriers that are proven in the hunt field and the show ring. We strive to keep our terriers between 12" and 13.5", but certainly won't discount an exceptional dog or bitch of any height provided that terrier is outstanding in structure and movement, with a small, flexible chest and a tractible, outgoing temperament.

We wholeheartedly believe in maintaining this unique terrier as the earth working terrier it has been for generations. Because we subscribe to the motto, preserve, protect and work the Parson Russell Terrier , all of our terriers are proven in the field before they are bred. Ten of them have earned Bronze Medallions. Others hold one or more Natural Hunting Certificates, and our stud dogs have produced progeny which also hold Bronze Medallions. Our terriers come from proven working stock and produce proven working stock, generation after generation.

Falling Branch breeding stock has been BAER hearing tested normal for generations and all are CERF tested clear annually. We demand the same high standards when we breed to outside dogs. We go the extra mile to have all of our stud dog's hips and patellas certified by Board Certified canine orthopedists and have thyroid panels done on all of our terriers once a year. As additional genetic problems crop up in this breed, we are dedicated to meet the challenge of increased genetic testing and breeding only from those individuals which are 100% sound. Genetic soundness is as important to us as it is to you, regardless of whether the terrier is a pet or a show dog.

We conscientiously work our terriers and live with them as part of our family. All of our puppies are born and raised in the house, guaranteeing that they are well-socialized as family members. Because we live with our terriers constantly under foot, on-the-sofa and in-the-bedroom intelligence, personality and soundness are of utmost importance.

Although we have terriers registered with the AKC, the UKC and the JRTCA, we support ONLY the AKC and UKC registries in the United States. We made the decision not to support or register with the JRTCA because we believe that owners should be able to register and show their own dogs wherever they choose without the fear of losing the ability to register dogs and because we believe many of the JRTCA's actions and treatment of its members were unethical. We also cannot and will not support a registry that encourages the outcrossing to other breeds of dogs and considers this breed a mixed breed. Bloodlines and pedigrees ARE important and a cross bred dog a mongrel. We do not support breeding mongrels. Animal shelters and pounds are full of unwanted mixed breed dogs. There is no legitimate reason to add to those numbers of mixed breeds throughout the U.S.

E-mail, phone or just drop by and get to know our Parson Russell/Parson Russell Terriers. We will be glad to help you learn about this wonderful little terrier.