Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Jack Russell Terrier
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Jack Russell Terriers?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Jack Russell Terrier
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you.We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Chihuahua and for the Jack Russell Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chihuahua belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Jack Russell Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier
| Factor | Chihuahua | Jack Russell Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 13 to 17 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $1100 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $700 – $1250 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 85.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 67 | 46 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Jack Russell Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier
The Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Jack Russell Terriers weigh 13 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Jack Russell Terriers are 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is 12.5 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Jack Russell Terriers.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 69.6 percent, the Chihuahua has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 85.5 percent, the Jack Russell Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1820. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $15500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1980 Chihuahua puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Jack Russell Terrier puppy is $1100. The price of the Jack Russell Terrier typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of the Jack Russell Terrier can be as low as $200 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 410 Jack Russell Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.
`| Chihuahua | Jack Russell Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $1100 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $700 to $1250 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Jack Russell Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Jack Russell Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Jack Russell Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.
Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here
The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
`| Chihuahua | Jack Russell Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 67 out of 130 dog breeds | 46 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.Prof. Coren found that the Chihuahua has an obedience intelligence rank of 67 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chihuahua belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chihuahuas tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Jack Russell Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Jack Russell Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Jack Russell Terrier is more intelligent than the Chihuahua.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua
Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier?
Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.
Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.
Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.
Jack Russell Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Jack Russell Terriers?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Jack Russell Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Jack Russell Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Jack Russell Terrier
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Jack Russell Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Jack Russell Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Jack Russell Terrier?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Jack Russell Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Jack Russell Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you and your family.