A Detailed Comparison of the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier.

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Briard Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Briard versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Briard is a large-sized dog while the Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Briard belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Briard versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Briard 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 Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier

FactorBriardJack Russell Terrier
Does NOT Shed5/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/53/5
Life Span10 to 12 years10 to 15 years
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Height22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
Weight70 to 100 pounds13 to 17 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years12.5 years
Average Price$2500$1100
Price Range$2500 – $2500$700 – $1250
Temperament Score81.7 percent85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination at least once between six (6) months and eight (8) years
  • Hip Dysplasia (min age 24 months for all tests)
  • Stationary Night Blindness
    		• No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)3046

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Briard 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 Briard is 79 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 Briard is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get the Briard!

    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 Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Briard 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 Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Size Comparison of Briard versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier.

    Briards weigh 70 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Briards are 22 to 27 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 Briard versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The lifespan of Briards is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Briards is 11.0 years.

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

    Jack Russell Terriers live longer than Briards.

    Temperament of the Briard Versus the Jack Russell Terrier

    The Jack Russell Terrier has a better temperament than the Briard.

    This is because the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Briard is 81.7 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 81.7 percent, the Briard 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 Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 382 Briards and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Price of Briard versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the Briard puppy is $2500. The price of the Briard typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Briard 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 Briard is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Briards. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Briards. 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 Briard 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 Briard versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier

    `
    Briard Jack Russell Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 30 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 Briard has an obedience intelligence rank of 30 out of 130 dog breeds. The Briard belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Briards 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 Briard 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: Briard versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Briards can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Briards shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

    Briards do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Briard or the Jack Russell Terrier

    Briards 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 Briard or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Briards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Briard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Briards 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 Briards Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Briards 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 Briards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Briards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Briard vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    Briards have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 Briards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Briards 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 Briard or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Briards get along very well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Briards good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Briards 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 Briards and Jack Russell Terriers?

    Briards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Briard Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Briards are very easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Briard Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Briards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Briards are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Conclusion: Briard 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 Briard and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you and your family.