The Rus-A-Pei is not a breed as such, but a name used to
describe a designer dog, a deliberate cross of the Shar-Pei, a capable and aggressive farm guardian that was
later used for dog fighting, and the Parsons Jack Russell, a high-energy
terrier with a strong prey drive. The history of the Shar-Pei is long and
somewhat mysterious; records indicate that an early variety of this breed was employed
as an all-around farm dog in Southern
China around 2000 years ago, where it not only protected the master’s home but also provided protection for the
livestock in the hunting of wild boar. When dog fighting, their loose skin and natural aggressiveness and
determination made them good candidates for the fighting ring until some of the newer western dogs like
the Bulldog and Bull Terriers were imported into China. When those that bred
fighting dogs stopped breeding Shar-Peis and shifted to other dogs, the Shar-pei
population went into a steep decline, and during the 1940s and 50s the Shar-pei
was among many Chinese breeds that were decimated due to famine, fear of biological
warfare, and government policies. The breed may have gone extinct if it weren’t for the May 1971 edition of DOGS highlighting
what it termed to be “possibly the last surviving specimen of the breed,”
prompting Shar-pei owner and fancier in Hong-Kong to reinvigorate the breed as
well to export many to the United States, to ensure the survival of the breed. The
Parsons “Jack” Russell Terrier is a much newer breed than the Shar-pei, named
after the founder of the breed a parson
by the name of John Russell, often referred to as Jack. He was so immediately
taken by the small, mostly white dog that
he spotted walking with a milkman in 1819 that he bought her right then and
there, giving her the name of “Trump”. The parson
was an avid fox hunter who also bred foxhounds, and he saw in Trump the basis
of a breed of dogs small enough to go to ground after foxes but with long
enough legs to keep up with them. The Parson Russell Terrier is registered with
both the American and the United Kennel Clubs and is often referred to by the
name of Jack Russell Terrier. It is important to note, however, there are also
Jack Russell Terrier clubs in both countries which recognizes a different standard,
although it is not considered an official breed by the kennel clubs at this time.
This standard allows for a less consistent
canine, with differences in temperament
and medical conditions. This dog often has a longer back and shorter legs than
the Parsons Russell Terrier due to infusions of Dachshund and Corgi in its background.
