Which is Better between the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier

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English Setter Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Setter 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 English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Setter 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 English Setter or the Jack Russell Terrier

English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier

English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the English Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Setter 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.

Factor English Setter Jack Russell Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 11 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Weight 45 to 80 pounds 13 to 17 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1020 $1100
Price Range $800 – $1200 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 81.3 percent 85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 37 46

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Setter 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 a English Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Jack Russell Terrier is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Jack Russell Terrier is a better pet than the English Setter. 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 English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

  • English Setters 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.

    • The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Setter 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 English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier

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

    English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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.

    Temperament of the English Setter Versus the Jack Russell Terrier

    The Jack Russell Terrier has a better temperament than the English Setter.

    This is because the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 they 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter 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 English Setter and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Price of English Setter versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter 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 a 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 Jack Russell Terrier is more expensive than the English Setter.

    English Setter Jack Russell Terrier
    Average Price $1020 $1100
    Price Range $800 to $1200 $700 to $1250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. 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 English Setter 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier

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

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

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

    Champ- Foster To Adopt is the name of another English Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    English Setters and Jack Russell Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

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

    The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier

    English Setter Jack Russell Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 37 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 English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters 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 English Setter 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.

    English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier

    English Setters do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Jack Russell Terrier

    English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    English Setters are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Setters 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.

    Do English Setters shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

    English Setters shed moderately.

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

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

    English Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    English Setters are fairly easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    English Setters 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.

    Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    English Setters 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 English Setters and Jack Russell Terriers?

    English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    English Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

    English Setters 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.

    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.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    English Setters 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter

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

  • Irish Setter (83 percent match with English Setter). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Irish Setter.

    • 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 English Setter vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Welsh Terrier.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Setter versus Golden Cocker Retriever     English Setter versus Biewer Terrier     English Setter versus Bearded Collie     English Setter versus Tibetan Mastiff     English Setter versus Chihuahua     English Setter versus Golden Cocker Retriever     English Setter versus Miniature Poodle     English Setter versus Beaglier     English Setter versus Pyrenean Shepherd     English Setter versus Maremma Sheepdog     

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Saluki     Jack Russell Terrier versus Samoyed     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Dalmatian     Jack Russell Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Jack Russell Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     

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