From whom did Parson Russell acquire his first bitch?

Parson Russell acquired his first bitch from the milkman, which highlights the role of local communities and their networks in the development of dog breeds. During the time Parson Russell was engaged in breeding terriers, relationships with neighbors and local tradespeople were crucial for accessing quality animals. The milkman, often a familiar face in the neighborhood, would have had insight into the livestock and pets in the area, making him a reliable source for finding a promising breeding dog. This reflects the communal ties that were important in the early days of breeding Jack Russell Terriers and the significance of informal networks in selecting and developing fine specimens of the breed.

On the other hand, while farmers, friends from church, and other breeders could also provide dogs, the specific reference to the milkman signifies an interesting and perhaps deeper personal story in the history of the breed's development.