Jack Russell Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison

Jack Russell Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed ComparisonJack Russell Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Chihuahua is originated from Mexico. Jack Russell Terrier may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Chihuahua. Both Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua are having almost same weight. Jack Russell Terrier may live 4 years less than Chihuahua. Jack Russell Terrier may have more litter size than Chihuahua. Both Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua requires Low maintenance.

History

jack russell terrier - historyThe popular Jack Russell Terrier was developed in Devonshire in the south of England in the late 1800's so as to hunt foxes.

Often believed to be the Parson Russell Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier was developed by Parson John Russell. This is where the dog gets his breed name from. Some people get the Jack Russell Terrier a little bit mixed up with the Parson Russell terrier, when it fact its actually a different breed, but sharing a common ancestry.

The Jack Russell Terrier is smaller than the Parson and bigger than the Russell Terrier. The breed became known in the U.S. by the 1930s and the Jack Russell Terrier Association of America wanted recognition by the American Kennel Club, which was granted in 2000.

chihuahua - historyQuite a bit of the Chihuahua’s history is shrouded in mystery, and there are different versions about its origins.

While historians speculate, most will agree that the tiny dog hails from Mexico. The UK Kennel Club considers the smooth- and long coat Chihuahuas as 2 distinct breeds.It was in 1904 that the Chihuahua became a registered breed by the American Kennel Club.

Chihuahua is actually the name of a state in Mexico, and it is amazing that Chihuahua specimens were found way back in the 1800's already. Today the Chihuahua is a very popular dog breed in several countries.

Description

jack russell terrier puppy - descriptionThe Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog that weighs between 6 and 8kg and stands at between 25 – 38cm. The body length of the dog should be in proportion to the height.

He is essentially a white dog with orange or fawn colored patches. The coat is mostly smooth and short, but the coat can also be longer and rough or it can be broken which is a combination of rough and smooth. Regardless of coat type, they are dense, double coats which will require brushing at least twice a week to remove loose hairs. He may also be tri-colored such as being white with black and tan patches.

He has alert, bright dark brown eyes and ears which are somewhat erect and which flop over at the tips. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him an attractive, compact look about him but unfortunately the tail is often left long on the dog these days.

Temperament:

Your Jack Russell Terrier is a lively, tenacious, bold, fearless, feisty, cheeky, confident, independent, intelligent and full of life dog. He is super energetic and exuberant, spirited and full of personality.

There are some dog owners who are exhausted by him and would prefer a more quieter dog breed as their companion. Nonetheless he has some excellent characteristics such as being a totally devoted and loving dog.

It is why it is a good idea to have him trained and socialized as it calms him down and makes him more obedient. He is very intelligent and training him will be easy.

chihuahua puppy - descriptionThe small Chihuahua stands at about 15 – 23 cm and he weighs about 1,5 – 4kg.

You’ll notice that he shivers when he is excited or when he is cold or frightened. Some people buy him a jersey to don on cooler days. With this tiny toy dog, you get a short- and a long coated Chihuahua.

This is the smallest dog breed and his coat is available in a number of colors such as fawn, tan, white and black. It is the dog’s round apple-shaped head which is a distinctive feature. He has erect ears and huge fruit-bat type eyes.

Temperament:

The Chihuahua is such an alert, fun-loving, feisty little dog, and though he may appear to be an ideal pet for children, he actually isn’t. He is too dainty and frail, and a child, during play, could accidentally crush him.

It’s a pity though because he just loves being around his human family. He is also a highly strung dog, and given the chance, he’ll nip and even bite during games. It is why socialization and training are considered important for the Chihuahua.

Just like with children, how you raise and treat your Chihuahua will determine how he turns out. He is such a sweet little dog that training and socialization can remove these unwanted characteristics. He is very intelligent and responds well to training.

Characteristics

jack russell terrier dog - characteristicsWith loads of vibrant personality, the energetic Jack Russell Terrier has got so many wonderful characteristics to his name – devotion, intelligence, charming, lively, playful and he is an entertainer – you’ll always be laughing a him.

You do need to pay him attention – you can’t just plonk him in your backyard and forget about him. He wants your love and attention and ignoring him can lead to problem behavior such as obsessive barking.

Give your Jack Russell Terrier all the love and care he needs, and you’ll have an exceptional pet and friend.

chihuahua dog - characteristicsSmall and feisty, the Chihuahua’s personality isn’t set in stone, and the tiny dog can be either shy and timid or he can be social, confident and jaunty.

They're always loyal and affectionate to their human owners, but they don’t get on too well with- and are wary of small children who aren’t disciplined and who could hurt them.

With his big eyes and big ears together with his comical antics, they can be a source of entertainment for their human owners. He is easy to train too and even though he is small, he doesn’t think he is, and he is willing to use his big personality to make you a loving, loyal and devoted companion.

Health Problems

jack russell terrier puppies - health problemsThis particular dog breed has a reputation for being healthy and living to a good age such as 16 or 17 years of age. Of course he needs to be given proper care to reach such a good age.

Some common dog disorders you might want to be aware of are -

Eye disorders:

Lens luxation is actually a common hereditary disorder in these dogs, but even so, with good care, your dog isn’t likely to battle with it. What happens is that the lens in the eye becomes displaced. There are two types, with Posterior luxation being the lesser severe one.Treatment is available.

Musculoskeletal conditions:

Patellar luxation is an hereditary disorder affecting the knees of the dog. The kneecap slips off the groove where it sits and you may notice your dog running while holding his hind leg in the air. It can sometimes slip back in place and then you see your dog running in his usual way. It becomes more serious when it affects both legs.

chihuahua puppies - health problemsThe Chihuahua doesn't have any particular health issues, more so when you get him from a reputable breeder. With good care he can reach 20 years of age.

Hypoglycemia:

Known as low blood sugar, hypoglycemia is easily treatable, but if it isn’t caught early it can be fatal.Hypoglycemia makes a dog lethargic and he’ll shiver and could go into a coma. Get him to the vet immediately.

Bloat:

Gastric Dilatation or bloat is when the stomach twists, it becomes enlarged and blood supply is cut off to the stomach. Left untreated, it can be fatal.

Dental Disease:

Chihuahuas are susceptible to dental problems, so you will need to brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to prevent tartar build-up, gum disease, loss of teeth and other diseases.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

jack russell terrier dogs - caringThe Jack Russell Terrier isn’t just a small dog that can be left to his own devices. He will need proper training and socialization early in life to make him obedient and better to get on with.

He may be a small dog, but he certainly won’t do in the city where he is cooped up in a place with a handkerchief of a garden. He needs lots of space to run and play. He wants his human family to join in with walks, hikes, ball games and swimming.

Diet:

You can buy excellent commercially manufactured dog food which caters for energetic small dog breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier.

Once you have selected the best one for your pet, with dry kibble being better in terms of dental health - you can also add in some brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken. This is highly beneficial to all dog breeds. A little bit of raw meat can sometimes be added in too.

The bottom line is to to prevent your pet from eating foods high in preservatives, additives and fillers. Never leave your pet without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Diet:

chihuahua dogs - caringAlways make sure to choose a high-quality dog food for your Chihuahua as this will keep him in tip-top health. A healthy Chihuahua can live to be 20 years of age. Speak to a veterinarian for recommendations on the best type of food to feed your tiny pet.

Giving him some home-made food such as brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken for instance will be a welcome treat for him. Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water close by.

Exercise:

The Chihuahua may well be the smallest toy sized dog breed, but don’t be mistaken – he has plenty of energy and is constantly prancing around. He is more than capable of living in a small apartment, but even so he needs to be taken outside every now and then for a game or a walk.

Be careful with your small pet though, as too much exercise can lead to elbow- and hip dysplasia.

Grooming:

The Chihuahua is a moderate shedder with Spring being their heavier shedding period. Because of his small size, you won’t be bothered by too much hair. The short haired Chihuahua is easy to maintain and with a rubber brush, you can brush him gently twice a week.

You’ll also need to clip his nails and if you can’t manage this your vet can also help you.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Toy dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Mexico
Height Male:
25 - 38 cm
9 - 15 inches
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
Height Female:
25 - 38 cm
9 - 15 inches
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
12 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
2 - 5
Size:
Small dog
Toy dog
Other Names:
JRT, Jack
None
Colors Available:
black, White with orange or fawn colored patches - tri-color - white, tan
Fawn, white and black, tan
Coat:
Short and smooth or longer and rough
Short- and long haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Jack Russell Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Jack Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Jack Russell Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Jack Russell Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Jack Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Jack Russell Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  8. Jack Russell Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Jack Russell Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  10. Jack Russell Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Jack Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Jack Russell Terrier vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Jack Russell Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Jack Russell Terrier vs Fell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Miniature Schnauzer vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Scottish Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Patterdale Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Norwich Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Norfolk Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Parson Russell Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Russell Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Manchester Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Chihuahua vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Chihuahua vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  29. Chihuahua vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  30. Chihuahua vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  31. Chihuahua vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  32. Chihuahua vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  33. Chihuahua vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  34. Morkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  35. Havanese vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  36. Chorkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  37. Pekingese vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  38. Chiweenie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  39. Chug vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  40. English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  41. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  42. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  43. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  44. Phalene vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  45. Cockachon vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  46. Shih Tzu vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  47. Silky Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  48. Snorkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  49. Toy Bulldog vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  50. Toy Mi-Ki vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds