Border Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier

A Border Terrier
Photo: Samuel Cockman
A Parson Russell Terrier
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden

Side by side

Border Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier
Adult weight
Males 9.6–12.3 kg (21–27 lb); females 8.2–10.3 kg (18–23 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 1,161, middle 50%)1
5.9–7.7 kg (13–17 lb)2
Height
Males 30.5–38.1 cm; females 30.5–38.1 cm (breed club figure)3
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 14.2 years4
Median 13.8 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Terriers6
Terriers7
Coat
Wire or harsh coat6
Short coat or wire or harsh coat7
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
No sourced figure
Grooming
A brush once a week
No sourced figure
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Cushing's syndrome (much more likely); Corneal ulcers (more likely)8,9
No sourced figure
Class
Family
Sport

Which suits you

Size
The Border Terrier is larger: about 10 kg (22 lb) as an adult, against 6.8 kg (15 lb) for the Parson Russell Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Border Terrier: affectionate on its own terms; Parson Russell Terrier: likes its own space) and on independence (Border Terrier: cooperative, with its own ideas; Parson Russell Terrier: decides for itself).
Alike
Both are rated the same on prey drive: likely to chase small pets.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Border Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament the Border is good-natured and determined, with a strong urge to chase small animals. It is often described as less quarrelsome with other dogs than many terriers.

Parson Russell Terrier
Terriers · Small

The Parson is bold, lively and friendly, quick to learn but independent-minded. It has considerable stamina and keeps at a task once it has found something to chase or dig for.

The Border Terrier page →The Parson Russell Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Border Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Border Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Differs
Friendly with everyone
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
Border Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour10. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home11,12.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Border Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 10 kg against the Parson Russell Terrier's 6.8 kg.
Border Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Border Terrier with
Jack Russell Terrier vs Parson Russell TerrierBorder Terrier vs Cairn TerrierBorder Terrier vs Jack Russell TerrierBorder Terrier vs Norfolk TerrierBorder Terrier vs Irish TerrierBorder Terrier vs Miniature SchnauzerAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·