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