German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Jack?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier"
Compare German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. Which is better: German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier?
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| Name | German Shepherd | Jack Russell Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany |  England |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Hunting Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 2 | 78 |
| Reviews | 21 | 3 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
Jack Russell Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell Terrier. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Small |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell Terrier. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | 11-18 pounds (5-8 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | 14.5 pounds (6.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Jack Russell Terrier? | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | 8-15 inches (20-38 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | 11.5 inches (29 cm) |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell Terrier. Which breed costs more? | $800-$2000 | $700-$1000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Jack Russell Terrier is quite easy to get. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Very smart: Jack Russell Terrier is an excellent dog breed. |
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| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare training requirements. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are quite easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare alertness levels. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are good watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare territorial behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell Terrier. How do their temperaments differ? |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Stubborn Independent Energetic Alert Courageous Cheerful |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier? | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: Jack Russell Terrier dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs need for social interaction is average. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier? | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | The wanderlust potential of the Jack Russell Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier? Which can be better for hunting? | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | A lot: Jack Russell Terrier is a particularly loud breed. |
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| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare play drive and energy. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Jack Russell Terrier is a highly playful breed. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare living space needs. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors. | Not an apartment-friendly dog the Jack Russell Terrier breed. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare adaptability levels. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
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| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare biting tendencies. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Jack Russell Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody. |
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| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare mouthing behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Jack Russell Terrier bite force: Weak. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare average lifespans. |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
12-16 years The average lifespan of Jack Russell Terrier: 14 years |
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| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare climate tolerances. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell Terrier. Which breed is healthier? | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | The Jack Russell Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier? |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Average The Jack Russell Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier health problems comparison: |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo |
Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation Deafness Glaucoma Lens Luxation |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare activity levels. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs need a lot of exercises. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs don't need too much sleep. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare obesity risks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Jack Russell Terrier's weight, he can easily gain weight. |
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| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare daily food needs. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
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| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier? Compare breed colors. |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Black Tan White |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare maintenance needs. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Easy to groom: The Jack Russell Terrier doesn't require a lot of grooming. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare drooling amounts. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Jack Russell Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Jack Russell Terrier has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare fur types. | Fuzzy | Rough |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare bathing frequencies. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Jack Russell Terrier dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are heavy shedders. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare kid-friendliness. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are average friendly dogs towards children. |
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| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? Which dog is more friendly? | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are average friendly towards strangers. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier? Can a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell Terrier be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Jack Russell Terrier dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Jack Russell Terrier dogs are dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Jack Russell Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Jack Russell Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Jack Russell Terriers are commonly okay with elderly people. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare service capabilities. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
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| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare therapy capabilities. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare scenting abilities. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. |
| Search & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare SAR abilities. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Yes Jack Russell Terrier breed usually likes being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a German Shepherd or a Jack Russell Terrier? Compare draft work capabilities. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. Which has stronger military background? | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. Which has larger litters? | 6-10 puppies | 4-8 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
German Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2012 as a Terrier breed. |
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| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Small sized Terriers section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier. Which is more widely recognized? |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Irish Kennel Club Club Espanol De Terriers Jack Russell Terrier Club Of America |
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