Dachshund vs Jack Russell Terrier

A Dachshund
Photo: Romerito Pontes from São Carlos
A Jack Russell Terrier
Photo: Արարատ Թրվանց

Side by side

Dachshund
Jack Russell Terrier
Adult weight
4.5–14.5 kg (9.9–32 lb) (breed club figure)1
5–6 kg (11–13 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 13.2 years3
Median 13.3 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Dachshunds5
Terriers2
Coat
Short coat or wire or harsh coat or long coat5
Short coat or wire or harsh coat2
Exercise
A modest amount
A moderate amount
Health
No sourced figure
Cushing's syndrome (slightly more likely); Torn cruciate ligament in one knee (slightly more likely)6,7
Class
Companion
Sport

Which suits you

Size
The Dachshund comes in a wide range of sizes, 4.5–14.5 kg (9.9–32 lb) as an adult, against 5–6 kg (11–13 lb) for the Jack Russell Terrier.
Exercise
Plan for a moderate amount of exercise with the Jack Russell Terrier, and a modest amount with the Dachshund.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Dachshund: a lap or leaning dog; Jack Russell Terrier: affectionate on its own terms) and on loyalty (Dachshund: sticks close to its people; Jack Russell Terrier: bonded to its family).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
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

Dachshund
Dachshunds · Small

In character the Dachshund is bold, curious and lively, with a deep bark for its size and an independent streak suited to a dog meant to work alone underground.

Jack Russell Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament it is lively, alert and bold, quick to learn and persistent once interested in something. It has a strong urge to chase and dig, and can be forthright with other dogs.

The Dachshund page →The Jack Russell Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Dachshund
Jack 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
Dachshund
Jack Russell Terrier
Affection
Differs
A lap or leaning dog
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Dachshund
Jack Russell Terrier
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Very vocal
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 behaviour8. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home9,10.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Dachshund grows to the heavier adult, about 9.5 kg against the Jack Russell Terrier's 5.5 kg.
Dachshund
Jack Russell Terrier
0510152m4m6m9m12m18m
0510152m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Dachshund with
Jack Russell Terrier vs Parson Russell TerrierBeagle vs Jack Russell TerrierDachshund vs Pembroke Welsh CorgiJack Russell Terrier vs Rat TerrierChihuahua vs Jack Russell TerrierDachshund vs Dandie Dinmont TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·