Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Wiry coat, short.
A Russell Terrier suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 5 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You are out most of the day: energy is rated 5 of 5
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 5 of 5)
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 5 and mental stimulation needs of 5 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 72.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Grand Basset Griffon VendeenKidsEnergyShedding
#16 in 2025Pembroke Welsh CorgiKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Russell Terrier vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen · Russell Terrier vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi · Russell Terrier vs Miniature Pinscher
Frequently asked questions
Are Russell Terriers good with kids?
The AKC rates the Russell Terrier 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Russell Terriers shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Russell Terriers easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 5 out of 5.
How much energy does a Russell Terrier have?
Energy is rated 5 out of 5 and playfulness 5 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Russell Terrier page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.