Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier – Which one is a better dog breed for you?

"Find similarities and differences between Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier" Compare Miniature Schnauzer and Rat Terrier. Which is better: Miniature Schnauzer or Rat Terrier or Jack Russell Terrier?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Miniature Schnauzer	Rat Terrier	Jack Russell Terrier
Origins	Germany	United States	England
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Hunting Dogs	Hunting Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	18	97	78
Reviews	2	1	2
Rate

Other Names	Zwergschnauzer	American Rat Terrier, Ratting Terrier, Decker Giant, RT, Rat, Rattie	Russell Terrier, JRT, Jack
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1926 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2012 as a Terrier breed.
FCI Group	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Pinscher and Schnauzer type section.	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Small sized Terriers section.
Breed Recognition	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	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club	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
Price	$600-$1000	$300-$500	$700-$1000

General Appearance - Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier

Size	Small	Small	Small
Weight	Male: 11-18 pounds (5.0-8.2 kg), Female: 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg)	Standard: 12-35 pounds (5.5-16 kg)	11-18 pounds (5-8 kg)
Avg. Weight	Male: 14.5 pounds (5.0-8.2 kg), Female: 12.5 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg)	Standard: 23.5 pounds (5.10.5 kg)	14.5 pounds (6.5 kg)
Height	Male: 14 inches (35.6 cm), Female: 13 inches (33.0 cm)	Standard: 14-23 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	8-15 inches (20-38 cm)
Avg. Height	Male: 14 inches (35.6 cm), Female: 13 inches (33.0 cm)	Standard: 18.5 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	11.5 inches (29 cm)

Hair & Care - Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier

Coat	Wiry	Dense Shiny	Rough
Colors	Salt Pepper Silver Black	Tan Brown White Blue Tricolor Black	Tan White Black
Grooming	Advanced: The Miniature Schnauzer requires a lot of grooming.	Effortless: The Rat Terrier requires minimal grooming.	Easy to groom: The Jack Russell Terrier doesn't require a lot of grooming.
Shedding Level	Miniature Schnauzers shed none to minimal.	Rat Terriers shed above average.	Jack Russell Terriers are heavy shedders.

Characteristics - Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier

Temperament	Alert Friendly Obedient Fearless Intelligent Spirited	Affectionate Inquisitive Loving Alert Lively	Alert Courageous Independent Cheerful Energetic Stubborn
Intelligent Rank	Very smart: Miniature Schnauzer is an excellent dog breed.	Smart: Rat Terrier's has great intelligence.	Very smart: Jack Russell Terrier is an excellent dog breed.
Trainability	Miniature Schnauzers are easy to train.	Rat Terriers are quite easy to train.	Jack Russell Terriers are quite easy to train.
Playfulness	Miniature Schnauzers, like any other dog breed, like playing.	Rat Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing.	The Jack Russell Terrier is a highly playful breed.
Sensitivity Level	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
Affection Level	Miniature Schnauzers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Rat Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Jack Russell Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
Social Needs	Miniature Schnauzers are a social breed.	Rat Terriers need a lot of social interaction.	Jack Russell Terriers need for social interaction is average.
Barking	Average: The Miniature Schnauzer barks occasionally.	Average: The Rat Terrier barks occasionally.	High: The Jack Russell Terrier is a very vocal breed.
Watchdog Ability	Miniature Schnauzers are one of the best watchdogs.	Rat Terriers are average watchdogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are good watchdogs.
Territorial	Miniature Schnauzers strongly protect their territory.	Rat Terriers are extremely protective guard dogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential	Low The Miniature Schnauzer has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Rat Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Jack Russell Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Miniature Schnauzers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Rat Terriers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Jack Russell Terriers have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Miniature Schnauzers have average wanderlust potential.	Wanderlust potential of the Rat Terrier is strong enough to escape from home.	Wanderlust potential of the Jack Russell Terrier is strong enough to escape from home.
Prey Drive	Miniature Schnauzers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	Rat Terriers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	Jack Russell Terriers have a high impulse to chase and catch something.
Apartment Friendly	Miniature Schnauzers are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.	Rat Terriers are very apartment-friendly dogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are not apartment-friendly dogs.
Adaptability	Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Rat Terriers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Jack Russell Terriers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Miniature Schnauzers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Rat Terriers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.
Fighting Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Good With - Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier

Stranger Friendly	Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards strangers.	Rat Terriers are stranger friendly dogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly	Miniature Schnauzers are kid-friendly dogs.	Rat Terriers are very kid-friendly dogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are average friendly dogs towards children.
Cat Friendly	Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards cats.	Rat Terriers are cat-friendly dogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly	Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards other dogs.	Rat Terriers are dog-friendly dogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are dog-friendly dogs.
Office Friendly	No Miniature Schnauzer is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Rat Terrier 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	Miniature Schnauzers are usually recommended for elderly people.	Rat Terriers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Jack Russell Terriers are commonly okay with elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Miniature Schnauzers are generally with other pets.	Rat Terriers are usually friendly towards other pets.	Jack Russell Terriers usually don’t get on well with other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Miniature Schnauzers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Rat Terriers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Jack Russell Terriers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Service Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Yes Miniature Schnauzer breed usually likes being on a boat.	Not really Rat Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Yes Jack Russell Terrier breed usually likes being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	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.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Health Factors - Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier

Health Issues	The Miniature Schnauzer is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Rat Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Jack Russell Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems	Cataracts Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection (MAI) Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)	Eye Problems Heart Problems Hip Dysplasia Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation	Deafness Glaucoma Legg-perthes Disease Lens Luxation Patellar Luxation
Life Expectancy	12-14 years	15-18 years	13-16 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	Yes	No	No
Energy Level	Miniature Schnauzers are high energy dogs.	Rat Terriers are high energy dogs.	Jack Russell Terriers are high energy dogs.
Exercise Need	Miniature Schnauzers have an average exercise need.	Rat Terriers have an average exercise need.	Jack Russell Terriers need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need	Miniature Schnauzers don't need too much sleep.	Rat Terriers don't need too much sleep.	Jack Russell Terriers don't need too much sleep.
Avg. daily food consumption	1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day.	No set	1/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High.	Average.	Average to High.
Weather & Climate	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Miniature Schnauzer can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers warm weather	Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Stinkiness	Low The Miniature Schnauzer has a low chance of bad smell.	Medium The Rat Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Jack Russell Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Miniature Schnauzer is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The Rat Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The Jack Russell Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.

Reproducibility - Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	3-6 puppies	5-7 puppies	4-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - Miniature Schnauzer vs Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier

Reviews