All Dog Breeds >>Health of Parson Russell Terrier
Eye conditions which affect the Parson Russell Terrier include primary lens luxation, which is a heritable condition that causes the zonular fibres, in affected dogs, which support the lens of the eye are abnormal and begin to disintegrate, causing the lens to fall into the wrong location within the eye. If the lens falls into the anterior chamber of the eyeball then a secondary glaucoma can occur causing loss of vision.
National kennel associations such as the Kennel Club (UK) publish DNA screening results on Parson Russell Terriers, broken down into three groups; clears, carriers, and affecteds. Other eye conditions which appear in the breed include cataracts in juveniles, corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy and posterior vitreous detachment.
Non-eye breed related conditions which may affect a Parson are deafness and patella luxation. The average lifespan of a Parson Russell Terrier is between 14 to 15 years.