Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
- American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
- American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier
- The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier
- Size Comparison of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier Versus the American Staffordshire Terrier
- Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
- The Intelligence of the American Staffordshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Does the American Staffordshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Jack Russell Terrier
- Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers?
- Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier.
American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier
| Factor | American Staffordshire Terrier | Jack Russell Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 10 to 15 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Height | 16 to 19 inches | 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 60 pounds | 13 to 17 pounds |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1340 | $1100 |
| Price Range | $575 – $2000 | $700 – $1250 |
| Temperament Score | 85.5 percent | 85.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 34 | 46 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier is 74 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 Jack Russell Terrier is a better pet than the American Staffordshire Terrier. So, you should get the Jack Russell Terrier!
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 Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier
Below is a list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are most different:
- American Staffordshire Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Jack Russell Terriers get along well with other dogs.
The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are most similar:
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier do not adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier do not like to be left alone.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to groom.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
Size Comparison of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier.
American Staffordshire Terriers weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Staffordshire Terriers are 16 to 19 inches 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 Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier
The lifespan of American Staffordshire Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Staffordshire Terriers is 12.5 years.
The lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is 12.5 years.
Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier Versus the American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier has the same temperament score as the Jack Russell Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the American Staffordshire Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the American Staffordshire Terrier has an above-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 Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 743 American Staffordshire Terriers and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.
Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
The average price of the American Staffordshire Terrier puppy is $1340. The price of the American Staffordshire Terrier typically ranges from $575 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 125 American Staffordshire Terrier 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. 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 Staffordshire Terrier is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.
The charts below show the price distribution for the American Staffordshire Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many American Staffordshire Terrier puppies or how many Jack Russell Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of American Staffordshire Terriers. 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 American Staffordshire Terrier 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.
The Intelligence of the American Staffordshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
`| American Staffordshire Terrier | Jack Russell Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 34 out of 130 dog breeds | 46 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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:- Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
- Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
- Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
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 American Staffordshire Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that American Staffordshire Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 American Staffordshire Terrier is more intelligent than the Jack Russell Terrier.
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: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier
American Staffordshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier
American Staffordshire Terriers drool moderately.
Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier?
American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom.
Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the American Staffordshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
American Staffordshire Terriers 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 Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
American Staffordshire Terriers 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 Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Staffordshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Jack Russell Terrier
American Staffordshire Terriers 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 Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Staffordshire Terriers 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 Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
American Staffordshire Terriers 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 Staffordshire Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers?
American Staffordshire Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to train.
Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier?
American Staffordshire Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Jack Russell Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier 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 Staffordshire Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you and your family.