Which is Better between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky? A Very Detailed Review.

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Jack Russell Terrier Versus Siberian Husky: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky 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 Jack Russell Terrier and for the Siberian Husky. 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Jack Russell Terrier or the Siberian Husky.

Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky

Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Siberian Husky 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.

Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Jack Russell Terrier to the Siberian Husky 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky

Factor Jack Russell Terrier Siberian Husky
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 13 to 17 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1100 $1080
Price Range $700 – $1250 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 85.5 percent 86.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 46 45

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Siberian Husky. 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 Jack Russell Terrier is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Siberian Husky is 71 out of 125.

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

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky

    The Similarities Between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky

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

  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky

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

    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.

    On the other hand, Siberian Huskys weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Siberian Huskys are 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky

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

    The lifespan of Siberian Huskys is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Siberian Huskys is 13.5 years.

    Siberian Huskys live longer than Jack Russell Terriers.

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky

    Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier Versus the Siberian Husky

    The Siberian Husky has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Siberian Husky is 86.8 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 85.5 percent, the Jack Russell Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 86.8 percent, the Siberian Husky has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky by measuring the temperaments of 69 Jack Russell Terriers and 310 Siberian Huskys.

    Price of Jack Russell Terrier versus Price of Siberian Husky

    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 reviewing the prices of 410 Jack Russell Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Siberian Husky puppy is $1080. The price of the Siberian Husky typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of the Siberian Husky can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1036 Siberian Husky puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Jack Russell Terrier is more expensive than the Siberian Husky.

    Jack Russell Terrier Siberian Husky
    Average Price $1100 $1080
    Price Range $700 to $1250 $700 to $1250

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Siberian Huskys

    A breakdown of the prices of Siberian Huskys

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Jack Russell Terrier puppy or the Siberian Husky 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.

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky

    Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier versus Adopting the Siberian Husky

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Jack Russell Terriers and many Siberian Huskys 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 Jack Russell Terrier named Wishbone that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Jack Russell Terriers like Wishbone on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Jack Russell Terriers, Siberian Huskys are also available for adoption. For example, Suka is a Male Siberian Husky that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Siberian Huskys like Suka that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Abner is an adorable Male Siberian Husky on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Siberian Husky

    Jack Russell Terrier Siberian Husky
    Intelligence Rank 46 out of 130 dog breeds 45 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 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 Siberian Husky has an obedience intelligence rank of 45 out of 130 dog breeds. The Siberian Husky belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Siberian Huskys tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Siberian Husky 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky

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

    Siberian Huskys do not like to be left alone.

    Do Jack Russell Terriers shed more than Siberian Huskys?

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

    Siberian Huskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Siberian Husky

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

    Siberian Huskys drool moderately.

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

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Siberian Huskys require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Siberian Huskys have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Jack Russell Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Siberian Huskys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Jack Russell Terrier vs. Siberian Husky

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

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

    Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Siberian Huskys can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Siberian Huskys get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Jack Russell Terriers good family dogs? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Jack Russell Terriers and Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Jack Russell Terrier Easier to Train than the Siberian Husky?

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.

    Is the Jack Russell Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Siberian Husky?

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Siberian Huskys do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Siberian Huskys are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Siberian Husky vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Siberian Husky vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Siberian Husky vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Siberian Husky

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

  • Samoyed (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Samoyed.
  • Bloodhound (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Bloodhound.
  • Finnish Spitz (78 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Finnish Spitz.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Jack Russell Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Cavachon     Jack Russell Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Azawakh     Jack Russell Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pomeranian     Jack Russell Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Jack Russell Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Morkie     Jack Russell Terrier versus Schnoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Jack Russell Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Jack Russell Terrier versus American Bulldog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Jack Russell Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Jack Russell Terrier versus Morkie     Jack Russell Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Jack Russell Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Jack Russell Terrier versus Beaglier     

    Siberian Husky Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Siberian Husky versus Norwegian Buhund     Siberian Husky versus Harrier     Siberian Husky versus Pomchi     Siberian Husky versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Siberian Husky versus Portuguese Pointer     Siberian Husky versus Korean Jindo Dog     Siberian Husky versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Siberian Husky versus Pomeranian     Siberian Husky versus Pomchi     Siberian Husky versus French Spaniel     Siberian Husky versus Carolina Dog     Siberian Husky versus Cavachon     Siberian Husky versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Siberian Husky versus Chinook     Siberian Husky versus Stabyhoun     Siberian Husky versus Saint Berdoodle     Siberian Husky versus Schnoodle     Siberian Husky versus Finnish Spitz     Siberian Husky versus Chi-Poo     Siberian Husky versus Harrier     Siberian Husky versus Kooikerhondje     Siberian Husky versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Tibetan Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Chorkie     Siberian Husky versus Belgian Malinois     

    Conclusion: Jack Russell Terrier versus Siberian Husky. 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Siberian Husky better suits you and your family.