Breed Comparison: Chow Chow Versus Jack Russell Terrier

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Chow Chow Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier

Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Chow Chow belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

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

Factor Chow Chow Jack Russell Terrier
Kid-Friendly 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Weight 40 to 70 pounds 13 to 17 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1750 $1100
Price Range $1000 – $2500 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 71.7 percent 85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 76 46

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow is 69 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 Chow Chow. 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 Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier are most different:

  • Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs. However, Jack Russell Terriers get along well with other dogs.
  • Chow Chows are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Jack Russell Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Chow Chows not very intelligent. However, Jack Russell Terriers are highly intelligent.
  • Chow Chows are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Jack Russell Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Chow Chows not very playful. However, Jack Russell Terriers are very playful.
  • Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Jack Russell Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Chow Chows have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Jack Russell Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Chow Chows have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Jack Russell Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Chow Chows do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Jack Russell Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Chow Chows have low exercise needs. However, Jack Russell Terriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

  • Both the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier

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

    Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 to 20 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 Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The lifespan of Chow Chows is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chow Chows 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.

    Chow Chows live longer than Jack Russell Terriers.

    Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Jack Russell Terrier

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 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 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 99 Chow Chows and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Price of Chow Chow versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the Chow Chow puppy is $1750. The price of the Chow Chow typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of a Chow Chow can be as low as $400 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 156 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    Chow Chow Jack Russell Terrier
    Average Price $1750 $1100
    Price Range $1000 to $2500 $700 to $1250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows. 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 Chow Chow 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.

    Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Adopting the Chow Chow versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow named Zoro that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Chow Chows like Zoro on pefinder.com.

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

    The Chow Chow and the Jack Russell Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Taz is the name of another Chow Chow (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    Chow Chows and Jack Russell Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Chow Chows and Jack Russell Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Chow Chow versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier

    Chow Chow Jack Russell Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 76 out of 130 dog breeds 46 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! 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 Chow Chow has an obedience intelligence rank of 76 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chow Chow belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chow Chows tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    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 Chow Chow.

    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: Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.

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

    Do Chow Chows shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

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

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Chow Chows drool moderately.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Jack Russell Terrier?

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

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Chow Chows have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other 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 Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    Chow Chows 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 Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chow Chows 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.

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

    Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Jack Russell Terriers?

    Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

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

    Chow Chows are not easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow:

  • Anatolian Shepherd Dog (61 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dog (65 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
  • Chinese Shar-Pei (63 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Chinese Shar-Pei.
  • Akita Chow (62 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Akita Chow.
  • 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 Chow Chow vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Chow Chow vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Chow Chow vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chow Chow versus Puggle     Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Chow Chow versus Catahoula Bulldog     Chow Chow versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Chow Chow versus Bolognese     Chow Chow versus Ibizan Hound     Chow Chow versus Shihpoo     Chow Chow versus Chi-Poo     Chow Chow versus Pomeranian     Chow Chow versus American Eskimo Dog     Chow Chow versus Belgian Malinois     Chow Chow versus Xoloitzcuintli     Chow Chow versus Irish Setter     Chow Chow versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Chow Chow versus Berger Picard     Chow Chow versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Chow Chow versus Papipoo     Chow Chow versus Beagle     Chow Chow versus Italian Greyhound     Chow Chow versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Chow Chow versus Australian Terrier     Chow Chow versus Lowchen     Chow Chow versus Irish Wolfhound     Chow Chow versus Jack Russell Terrier     Chow Chow versus Maremma Sheepdog     

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Cockapoo     Jack Russell Terrier versus Azawakh     Jack Russell Terrier versus Cockapoo     Jack Russell Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Jack Russell Terrier versus Chorkie     Jack Russell Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Boerboel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Barbet     Jack Russell Terrier versus Saluki     Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Jack Russell Terrier versus Afador     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus American Water Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus French Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Jack Russell Terrier versus Azawakh     Jack Russell Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Jack Russell Terrier versus Akbash     Jack Russell Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Jack Russell Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     Jack Russell Terrier versus Border Collie     Jack Russell Terrier versus Brittany     Jack Russell Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     

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