Jack Russell Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier

Photo: Արարատ Թրվանց

Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden

Side by side

Jack Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

Adult weight

5–6 kg (11–13 lb)1

5.9–7.7 kg (13–17 lb)2

Lifespan

Median 13.3 years3

Median 13.8 years3

Fully grown

10 months, both sexes4

Group

Terriers1

Terriers5

Coat

Short coat or wire or harsh coat1

Short coat or wire or harsh coat5

Exercise

A moderate amount

Health

Cushing's syndrome (slightly more likely); Torn cruciate ligament in one knee (slightly more likely)6,7

No sourced figure

Class

Sport

Which suits you

Size

The Parson Russell Terrier is a little larger on average: about 6.8 kg (15 lb) as an adult, against 5.5 kg (12 lb) for the Jack Russell Terrier.

Temperament

They differ most on affection (Jack Russell Terrier: affectionate on its own terms; Parson Russell Terrier: likes its own space).

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

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.

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 Jack Russell Terrier page →The Parson Russell Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day

Jack Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

Activity

Needs lots of exercise

Intelligence

Needs daily brain work

Handler demand

Needs an experienced owner

With people

Jack Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

Affection

Differs

Affectionate on its own terms

Likes its own space

Loyalty

Bonded to its family

Independence

Decides for itself

Around the home

Jack Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

Sensitivity

Average

Voice

Very vocal

Prey drive

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

Summary

Detail

The Parson Russell Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 6.8 kg against the Jack Russell Terrier's 5.5 kg.

Jack Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

More comparisons

Compare the Jack Russell Terrier with

Beagle vs Jack Russell Terrier Border Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier Jack Russell Terrier vs Rat Terrier Dachshund vs Jack Russell Terrier Chihuahua vs Jack Russell Terrier Border Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier All breed comparisons →

Sources

1
FCI. Breed standard no. 345. Fédération Cynologique Internationale. © FCI. ↑
www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/345g03-en.pdf
2
American Kennel Club. Parson Russell Terrier breed standard. ↑
3
McMillan et al., 2024. Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports 14, 531 (VetCompass). CC BY 4.0. ↑
doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w
4
Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
doi.org/10.1093/jn/134.8.2027S
5
FCI. Breed standard no. 339. Fédération Cynologique Internationale. © FCI. ↑
www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/339g03-en.pdf
6
Schofield et al., 2022. Frequency and risk factors for naturally occurring Cushing's syndrome in dogs attending UK primary‐care practices. CC BY 4.0. ↑
doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13450
7
Pegram et al., 2023. Risk factors for unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture diagnosis and for clinical management in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. CC BY 4.0. ↑
doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105952
8
Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
doi.org/10.1126/science.abk0639
9
Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/getting-dog/choosing-dog/finding-a-breeder
10
American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/screening-puppy-buyers-how-top-breeders-find-the-best-homes/
11
Salt et al., 2017. Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes. PLoS ONE 12(9): e0182064 (WALTHAM). CC BY 4.0. ↑
doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182064

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