This is a high-energy breed and is happiest in an environment where there is lots of regular activity. The head is proportionate to the size of the body. When viewed from the side, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull and joined by a definite stop. The planes of the skull and muzzle are parallel. The skull is flat and moderately broad, tapering slightly toward the muzzle.
Cheeks are well developed.
There is a minimum of falling away under the eye, giving a moderately chiseled look. Lips are tight and darkly pigmented. The Russell Terrier has a complete set of comparatively large, evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. The nose is black and fully pigmented. Eyelids are tight.