Differences and Similarities between the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier.

Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

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Field Spaniel Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier

Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are similar in size. The Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Field Spaniel 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.

Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel Jack Russell Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 15 years
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Weight 37 to 45 pounds 13 to 17 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $4640 $1100
Price Range $2900 – $5000 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 85.7 percent 85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend testing at 2, 4, 6, and 8 years of age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 34 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel is 79 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 Field Spaniel is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get the Field Spaniel!

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

    Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Similarities Between the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

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

    Field Spaniels weigh 37 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Field Spaniels are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 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 Jack Russell Terrier Versus the Field Spaniel

    The Field Spaniel has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Field Spaniel is 85.7 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 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 85.7 percent, the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 14 Field Spaniels and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Price of Field Spaniel versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the Field Spaniel puppy is $4640. The price of the Field Spaniel typically ranges from $2900 – $5000. However, the price of a Field Spaniel can be as low as $1800 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 5 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    Field Spaniel Jack Russell Terrier
    Average Price $4640 $1100
    Price Range $2900 to $5000 $700 to $1250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Field Spaniels. 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 Field Spaniel 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.

    Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Intelligence of the Field Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier

    Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Field Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel 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.

    Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Is the Field Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Field Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Field Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Field Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the Field Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier

    Field Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Do Field Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Field Spaniels 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.

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

    Field Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Field Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Field Spaniels shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

    Field Spaniels shed moderately.

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

    Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Field Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Field Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Field Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Field Spaniels 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.

    Are Field Spaniels good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniels and Jack Russell Terriers?

    Field Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Field Spaniel Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Field Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Field Spaniel vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (83 percent match with Field Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (84 percent match with Field Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • 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 Field Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Field Spaniel vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Field Spaniel vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Field Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Field Spaniel versus Briard     Field Spaniel versus Vizsla     Field Spaniel versus Collie     Field Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     Field Spaniel versus King Shepherd     Field Spaniel versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Field Spaniel versus Schnoodle     Field Spaniel versus Whoodle     Field Spaniel versus Siberian Husky     Field Spaniel versus Shihpoo     

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Barbet     Jack Russell Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Mudi     Jack Russell Terrier versus American Water Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Jack Russell Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Jack Russell Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     

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