German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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German Pinscher Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

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

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

German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier

German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the German Pinscher 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.

German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier

Factor German Pinscher Jack Russell Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 15 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 13 to 17 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2040 $1100
Price Range $1150 – $2688 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 91.9 percent 85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is 78 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 German Pinscher is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get the German Pinscher!

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

    German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

  • German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Jack Russell Terriers get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier

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

  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier

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

    German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.

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

    German Pinschers live longer than Jack Russell Terriers.

    German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier Versus the German Pinscher

    The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 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 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 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 37 German Pinschers and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    German Pinscher Jack Russell Terrier
    Average Price $2040 $1100
    Price Range $1150 to $2688 $700 to $1250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. 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 German Pinscher 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.

    German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier

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

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

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

    Skeeter is the name of another German Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    German Pinschers and Jack Russell Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Jack Russell Terrier

    German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do German Pinschers shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

    German Pinschers shed moderately.

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Jack Russell Terrier

    German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    German Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    German Pinschers 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.

    Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    German Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Jack Russell Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Jack Russell Terriers?

    German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    German Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher

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

  • Australian Kelpie (79 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Australian Kelpie.
  • Belgian Malinois (80 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Belgian Malinois.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (83 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Mudi (79 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Mudi.
  • 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 German Pinscher vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Pinscher vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Pinscher vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Pinscher versus Belgian Malinois     German Pinscher versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     German Pinscher versus Bloodhound     German Pinscher versus Australian Cattle Dog     German Pinscher versus Xoloitzcuintli     German Pinscher versus Finnish Spitz     German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog     German Pinscher versus Shiba Inu     German Pinscher versus Boykin Spaniel     German Pinscher versus Coton de Tulear     German Pinscher versus Stabyhoun     German Pinscher versus Akita     German Pinscher versus Black and Tan Coonhound     German Pinscher versus American Staffordshire Terrier     German Pinscher versus Bouvier des Flandres     German Pinscher versus Sealyham Terrier     German Pinscher versus Dutch Shepherd     German Pinscher versus Giant Schnauzer     German Pinscher versus Bolognese     German Pinscher versus Australian Terrier     German Pinscher versus Skye Terrier     German Pinscher versus Goldador     German Pinscher versus Toy Fox Terrier     German Pinscher versus Skye Terrier     German Pinscher versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pomsky     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pomsky     Jack Russell Terrier versus Lowchen     Jack Russell Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Akbash     Jack Russell Terrier versus Akita Chow     Jack Russell Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Jack Russell Terrier versus Collie     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bulldog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Jack Russell Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Jack Russell Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Jack Russell Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Jack Russell Terrier versus Morkie     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pomchi     Jack Russell Terrier versus Lowchen     Jack Russell Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Havanese     Jack Russell Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus English Setter     Jack Russell Terrier versus Boerboel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

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