Which is Better between the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

French Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

Quick Links: Table of Contents

French Spaniel Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

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

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

French Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the French 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.

French Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French 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 French Spaniel Jack Russell Terrier
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 10 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 13 to 17 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $4250 $1100
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $700 – $1250
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data

    *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 French 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 French Spaniel is 85 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 French Spaniel is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get the French 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 French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French 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 French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

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

    French Spaniels weigh 45 to 60 pounds. when fully grown. French Spaniels are 21 to 24 inches. when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Jack Russell Terriers weigh 13 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Jack Russell Terriers are 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the French Spaniel puppy is $4250. The price of the French Spaniel typically ranges from $3875 – $4625. However, the price of a French Spaniel can be as low as $3500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2 French 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 French Spaniel is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    French Spaniel Jack Russell Terrier
    Average Price $4250 $1100
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $700 to $1250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of French 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 French 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.

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

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    French Spaniels 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 one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    French 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    French Spaniels 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier

    French Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

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

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    French Spaniels 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.

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

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Jack Russell Terriers?

    French Spaniels 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 French Spaniel or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel

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

  • Dutch Shepherd (80 percent match with French Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • 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 French Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     French Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     French Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     French Spaniel versus Chinook     French Spaniel versus Afador     French Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     French Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     French Spaniel versus Bernedoodle     French Spaniel versus Cockalier     French Spaniel versus Afador     

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Rottweiler     Jack Russell Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Keeshond     Jack Russell Terrier versus Standard Poodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     

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