Jack Russell Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Jack Russell Terrier | Parson Russell Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Small | Small |
| Adult weight | 4.1 to 6.8 kg | 5.9 to 7.7 kg |
| In pounds | 9 to 15 lb | 13 to 17 lb |
| Adult height | 25 to 30 cm | 33 to 36 cm |
| Energy | Very high | Very high |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Short wiry and smooth | Short double and smooth |
| Shedding | Moderate | Low |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | Great Britain |
The main differences
- The Parson Russell Terrier is the bigger dog: 5.9 to 7.7 kg against 4.1 to 6.8 kg for the Jack Russell Terrier.
- Both have very high energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- The Parson Russell Terrier usually lives longer: 13 to 15 years against 12 to 14 years.
Temperament
Jack Russell Terrier: Bold, busy and full of nerve, the Russell Terrier is a small English working terrier bred to go to ground, and they stay lively and vocal in a pet home.
Parson Russell Terrier: Bold, playful and tireless, a working terrier with powerful hunting instincts that suits an active household and needs a job to do.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Jack Russell Terrier
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Congenital deafness, detectable by BAER testing
- Primary lens luxation, detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
Parson Russell Terrier
- Primary lens luxation, detectable by DNA test
- Congenital deafness, detectable by BAER hearing testing
- Late onset ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxia, both detectable by DNA test
- Patellar luxation, graded on veterinary orthopaedic examination
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist examination
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Parson Russell Terrier?
The Parson Russell Terrier. Adults weigh 5.9 to 7.7 kg, against 4.1 to 6.8 kg for the Jack Russell Terrier, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Parson Russell Terrier?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 14 years for the Jack Russell Terrier and 13 to 15 years for the Parson Russell Terrier. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Jack Russell Terrier or the Parson Russell Terrier better with children?
They score the same: fine with supervision with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin