How long does a Russell Terrier live?

The listed lifespan for a Russell Terrier is 12–14 years.

How tall is a Russell Terrier?

The listed height for a Russell Terrier is 10–12 in.

Is a Russell Terrier good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Russell Terrier is 3 out of 5.

When is a Russell Terrier full grown?

The growth size band for a Russell Terrier is 8–12 months.

Terrier Group

Russell Terrier

Russell Terrier is a small dog in the Terrier Group. Adult weight is 9–15 lb, height is 10–12 in, and the listed lifespan is 12–14 years. AKC describes the temperament as Alert, Inquisitive, Lively.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Russell Terrier dog — Photo: Steve-65 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan12–14 years

Weight9–15 lb

SizeSmall GroupTerrier Group

Height

10–12 in

Energy

5 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

3 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 45 single-size small breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 13 years is about 0.6 years shorter than the 13.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 12 lb is about 4 lb lighter than the 16 lb average for those small breeds.

The listed origin is England. The coat is described as smooth, wiry, short. The AKC energy score is 5 out of 5, 1.4 points above the group average of 3.6 for the Terrier Group. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 3 out of 5. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 5 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 60 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in 8–12 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): very small dogs reach maturity at 8-12 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Patella Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, BAER Testing, and Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

Frequently asked