Which is Better between the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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American Eskimo Dog Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier.

American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are similar in size. The American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the American Eskimo Dog 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.

American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier

Factor American Eskimo Dog Jack Russell Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Height 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight Starts at 30 pounds 13 to 17 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1220 $1100
Price Range $750 – $1500 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 82.6 percent 85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog is 87 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 American Eskimo Dog is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get the American Eskimo Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier

    The American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier.

    American Eskimo Dogs weigh Starts at 30 pounds when fully grown. American Eskimo Dogs are 15 to 19 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 American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The lifespan of American Eskimo Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Eskimo Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is 12.5 years.

    American Eskimo Dogs live longer than Jack Russell Terriers.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Temperament of the American Eskimo Dog Versus the Jack Russell Terrier

    The Jack Russell Terrier has a better temperament than the American Eskimo Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the American Eskimo Dog is 82.6 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 82.6 percent, the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 86 American Eskimo Dogs and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Price of American Eskimo Dog versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the American Eskimo Dog puppy is $1220. The price of the American Eskimo Dog typically ranges from $750 – $1500. However, the price of a American Eskimo Dog can be as low as $225 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 211 American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    American Eskimo Dog Jack Russell Terrier
    Average Price $1220 $1100
    Price Range $750 to $1500 $700 to $1250

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Eskimo Dog and Jack Russell Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many American Eskimo Dog puppies or how many Jack Russell Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers

    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 American Eskimo Dog 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.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Adopting the American Eskimo Dog versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many American Eskimo Dogs and many Jack Russell Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male American Eskimo Dog named Swizzle that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable American Eskimo Dogs like Swizzle on pefinder.com.

    Also, like American Eskimo Dogs, Jack Russell Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Ghost is a Male Jack Russell Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Jack Russell Terriers like Ghost that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Snow is the name of another American Eskimo Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Spott is an adorable Male Jack Russell Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    American Eskimo Dogs and Jack Russell Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more American Eskimo Dogs and Jack Russell Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

    American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier

    American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    American Eskimo Dogs 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 American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Jack Russell Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Jack Russell Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Jack Russell Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Eskimo Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    American Eskimo Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Jack Russell Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Eskimo Dogs and Jack Russell Terriers?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Eskimo Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Jack Russell Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Eskimo Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Eskimo Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Eskimo Dog:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Keeshond (82 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Keeshond.
  • West Highland White Terrier (81 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Jack Russell Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Jack Russell Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Jack Russell Terrier:

  • Airedale Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Eskimo Dog and how the Jack Russell Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Eskimo Dog and of the Jack Russell Terrier to other breeds:

    American Eskimo Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Eskimo Dog versus Braque du Bourbonnais     American Eskimo Dog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     American Eskimo Dog versus Pointer     American Eskimo Dog versus Greyhound     American Eskimo Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     American Eskimo Dog versus Spinone Italiano     American Eskimo Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel     American Eskimo Dog versus Leonberger     American Eskimo Dog versus English Toy Spaniel     American Eskimo Dog versus Dogo Argentino     American Eskimo Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     American Eskimo Dog versus Leonberger     American Eskimo Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     American Eskimo Dog versus Pomapoo     American Eskimo Dog versus Miniature Pinscher     American Eskimo Dog versus Gordon Setter     American Eskimo Dog versus Chihuahua     American Eskimo Dog versus Miniature Pinscher     American Eskimo Dog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     American Eskimo Dog versus Bloodhound     American Eskimo Dog versus Boxerdoodle     American Eskimo Dog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     American Eskimo Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     American Eskimo Dog versus Swedish Vallhund     

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bloodhound     Jack Russell Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     Jack Russell Terrier versus Boerboel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Jack Russell Terrier versus Westiepoo     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bolognese     Jack Russell Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Dalmatian     Jack Russell Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Jack Russell Terrier versus Samoyed     Jack Russell Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Jack Russell Terrier versus Weimaraner     Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Jack Russell Terrier versus Lowchen     Jack Russell Terrier versus Collie     Jack Russell Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Jack Russell Terrier versus Whippet     Jack Russell Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier          Jack Russell Terrier versus Schipperke     Jack Russell Terrier versus Puli     

    Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you and your family.