Jack Russell Terrier vs Rat Terrier
Compare Jack Russell Terrier and Rat Terrier side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Jack Russell Terrier
Rat Terrier
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
25 – 30 cm
25 – 46 cm
Weight
5 – 6 kg
5 – 10 kg
Life expectancy
13 – 16 years
15 – 18 years
Child friendly
5/5
3/5
Energy level
5/5
3/5
Intelligence
5/5
3/5
Trainability
5/5
3/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
2/5
1/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
5/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
3/5
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Characteristics
Jack Russell Terrier
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Easy to train
Tiny
Rat Terrier
Low grooming
Small
Summary
About Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier: small, sturdy, energetic fox-hunting terrier with bold, intelligent nature. Needs 1–2 hours of daily exercise plus mental work. Predominantly white, three coat types, strong digging and prey drive. Affectionate with family but demanding and unsuited to very sedentary homes.
About Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is an American‑bred, small to medium, athletic farm and vermin dog. Intelligent and energetic, it thrives on training, exercise, and close family contact. With a short, low‑maintenance coat in many pied colors, it suits active homes and excels in various dog sports.
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