Jack Russell Terrier vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Jack Russell Terrier vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonJack Russell Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland. Jack Russell Terrier may grow 7 cm / 2 inches shorter than Icelandic Sheepdog. Jack Russell Terrier may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Icelandic Sheepdog. Both Jack Russell Terrier and Icelandic Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Jack Russell Terrier and Icelandic Sheepdog has same litter size. Jack Russell Terrier requires Low maintenance. But Icelandic Sheepdog requires Moderate 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.

icelandic sheepdog - historyThere are quite a few different dog breeds that fall under the name of Spitz-type dogs, and in fact they have a number of similar characteristics, one of which is that they have some wolf-like features. They typically have the thick coat with undercoat and the erect, pointed ears and slanted eyes.

There is definitely a strong link between the Spitz type dogs and wild wolves. The tail too is feathery and can curl over the back of the dog.

The Icelandic Sheepdog, a native dog to Iceland, is a Spitz type dog which originates from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. The dogs have always been used to herd sheep, and they resemble dogs found in graves in Sweden and Denmark.

The dog at one time was facing extinction in the late 20th century, but in 1969, the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association was established to restore and preserve the breed. The Icelandic Sheepdog gained AKC recognition in June 2010.

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.

icelandic sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Icelandic Sheepdog is a smallish to medium sized dog standing at 40 to 45cm in height and he can weigh anything between 9 and 14kg.

His double coat can be short or long, straight or wavy and in a mix of colors such as grey and white or tan and white, black, tan and white, cream or chocolate. Even though they come in a number of predominant colors, these colors are always accompanied by white markings.

He has a longish muzzle, much like the wolf, giving him an alert, foxy appearance. He has a muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs with dewclaws on both the front and hind legs.

Temperament:

Your social, energetic dog will require socialization and training which does him the world of good, turning him into a well-adjusted, obedient dog.

He is an intelligent dog, and training him won't be difficult as he is eager to please. These are social dogs which love being part of the family and they don't like being left outside day after day with little human intervention. He is a lively, confident breed, gentle and not at all aggressive.

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.

icelandic sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Icelandic Sheepdog is such a good all-round family pet. He is alert, intelligent, social, playful, loyal, loving and brave.

He is friendly too, getting on well with children and any pets you have in the home. He is essentially a working dog, so you shouldn’t think of owning him as a pet if your lifestyle is centered around the TV and the couch for the best part of the day.

This is an energetic dog who wants lots of action during the day. He is a dog that badly wants to be part of the family and in exchange for looking after him well, he’ll promise to be an exceptional pet.

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.

icelandic sheepdog puppies - health problemsYour pet will reach 12 to 14 years of age with good care and is regarded as a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to a few health conditions, and these include hip dysplasia and diabetes.

Diabetes:

Mercifully for your pet, diabetes is considered a manageable disorder. When your pet doesn’t produce insulin or can’t utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels rise, resulting in hyperglycemia.

If left untreated, your pet can land up with a host of complicated health problems. Diabetes can be classified as either Type 1 or Type II, with the more common form in dogs being Type 1.

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:

icelandic sheepdog dogs - caringFeed your energetic Icelandic Sheepdog a diet which is appropriate for his age and activity level. Don't just feed him the best commercially manufactured dog food, but give him some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables mixed into his kibble as a tasty treat. Also, dogs are carnivores, so include some raw meat into his diet from time to time. Clean, cool water should always be available.

Grooming:

The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick double coat, with the outer coat being longer and the hair being shiny and glossy. These dogs shed quite a bit with seasonal shedding too so twice-weekly brushing will be necessary to keep the fur free of loose hair. His nails should also be checked regularly and his teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week too.

Exercise:

Icelandic Sheepdogs are athletic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise to keep them in good physical shape.

He loves all kinds of games and outdoor activities, one of which will be going with you for a walk every day. He makes a wonderful companion for those people going on long hikes.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Iceland
Height Male:
25 - 38 cm
9 - 15 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Height Female:
25 - 38 cm
9 - 15 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
JRT, Jack
Iceland Dog, Icelandic Spitz
Colors Available:
black, White with orange or fawn colored patches - tri-color - white, tan
black, cream or chocolate., tan and white, Grey and white or tan and white
Coat:
Short and smooth or longer and rough
Short or long, straight or wavy
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, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
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. Sakhalin Husky vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Istrian Sheepdog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  35. Jamthund vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  36. Karelian Bear Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. Kintamani vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  39. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  40. Russo-European Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  41. Ryukyu Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  42. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  43. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  44. Shiba Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  45. Icelandic Sheepdog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  46. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  47. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  48. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  49. Icelandic Sheepdog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  50. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds