Dog breed comparison
Jack Russell Terrier vs Border Terrier
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home. The Border Terrier tends to live about 1 year longer.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | Jack Russell Terrier | Border Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Terrier Dogs | Terrier Dogs |
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | 10 to 15 inches | 10 to 11 inches |
| Weight | 13 to 17 pounds | 11 to 15 pounds |
| Life span | 10 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The Jack Russell Terrier
Named after the Reverend John Russell, a 19th-century English fox hunter who bred white terriers to bolt foxes from dens.
It has far more energy than its size suggests.
Health to watch
- Primary lens luxation
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Deafness
- Patellar luxation
- Late-onset ataxia
The Border Terrier
From the Cheviot Hills on the English–Scottish border, bred to run with foxhounds and bolt foxes from their dens. Its long legs keep pace with horses.
It is one of the gentlest terriers with people but will chase small animals.
Health to watch
- Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (Spike's disease)
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Patellar luxation
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Good with other dogs
The Jack Russell Terrier gets on better with other dogs than the Border Terrier.
Barking
The Jack Russell Terrier barks more than the Border Terrier.
Copes alone
The Jack Russell Terrier copes better when left alone than the Border Terrier.
Energy
The Jack Russell Terrier has more energy than the Border Terrier.
Easy to train
The Jack Russell Terrier is easier to train than the Border Terrier.
Friendly with strangers
The Border Terrier is friendlier with strangers than the Jack Russell Terrier.
Which to choose
Jack Russell Terrier or Border Terrier?
Choose the Jack Russell Terrier if…
- You want a dog that gets on better with other dogs
- You want a dog that copes better when left alone
- You want an active, playful companion (it has more energy)
- You want a dog that is easier to train
Choose the Border Terrier if…
- You want a dog that barks less
- You’d like a calmer pet (it is calmer)
- You have lots of visitors (it is friendlier with strangers)
- You want a dog that copes better in an apartment
Questions.
Is the Jack Russell Terrier or the Border Terrier bigger, and which lives longer?
The Border Terrier tends to live about 1 year longer. Individual pets vary, so meet the parents or the pet where you can.
Which is easier to train, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Border Terrier?
The Jack Russell Terrier is generally easier to train than the Border Terrier. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Border Terrier?
Both are usually good with children when well socialised. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
They shed about the same amount. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the Jack Russell Terrier and Border Terrier have?
The Jack Russell Terrier is prone to primary lens luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, deafness. The Border Terrier is prone to canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (Spike's disease), hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism. Both share a risk of patellar luxation. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
