St. Bernard vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison

St. Bernard vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed ComparisonSt. Bernard is originated from Switzerland but Jack Russell Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. St. Bernard may grow 33 cm / 13 inches higher than Jack Russell Terrier. St. Bernard may weigh 82 kg / 181 pounds more than Jack Russell Terrier. St. Bernard may live 6 years less than Jack Russell Terrier. Both St. Bernard and Jack Russell Terrier has almost same litter size. St. Bernard requires High maintenance. But Jack Russell Terrier requires Low maintenance

History

st bernard - historyThe St Bernard breed was once called the Alpine Cattle Dogs or the Alpine Mountain Dogs. They have always been farm dogs and mountain dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. They come from the border land of Switzerland and France. They were herding dogs, hunting, search and rescue, watchdogs and draft dogs.

Their ancestors are considered to include the Sennenhunds and molosser breeds that came to the Alps with the ancient Romans. There are four Sennenhund breeds that are believed to have contributed to the original St. Bernard. These included the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund), the Appenzeller (Appenzeller Sennenhund), the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund) Today the St. Bernard is considered a Molossoid breed.

The first we know of the St. Bernard in any written records was in 1707 at the Great St. Bernard Pass and Great St. Bernard Hospice run by monks. There were found paintings of the dogs dating back into the late 1600’s. It is told that Barry saved upward of 100 people in the St. Bernard pass, and it is from these stories that the dogs gained their snow rescue reputation.

The St. Bernard of that time did not look like the St. Bernard does today as there was much crossbreeding. Many dogs dies during rescues in the avalanches of the mid 1800’s and so they Saint was crossed with the Newfoundland to preserve the breed. You can today see the resemblance in the build and looks of the two breeds. This cross brought about the long haired St. Bernard whose fur was too heavy for rescues.

The St. Bernards of mountain rescue fame were only about the size of a German Shepherd dog and were short haired. After crossing with the Newfoundland and moving into clubs and dogs shows, they have been bred to be much larger. Before the stud book was closed, it is thought that many larger breeds such as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rottweiler, the Great Pyrenees, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Boxer and the Caucasian Oycharka all contributed to today’s St. Bernard.

In 1884 The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded and the breed entered the Swiss Stud book as its first entry in 1884. It was 1888 when the standard was approved and the breed became the national dog of Switzerland. Before the name St. Bernard came to be common, these dogs might be called, Barry Dogs, Alepnmastiff, Noble Steeds or Saint Dogs.

The dogs came to England in the early 1800s and to the United States soon after. They were recognized by the European kennel clubs first and by the early 1900’s they were the most popular breed in the AKC.

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.

Description

st bernard puppy - descriptionToday’s St. Bernard is not a large dog, he is a giant dog. Weighing in at 140-200 pounds and standing 28 to 35 inches tall, he is a lot of dog. Bred with mastiffs and large mountain dogs, they have proportional and powerful build. They are strong, sturdy and well muscled. They have either a smooth or rough (short or long) coat. Their eyes are brown or occasionally blue. They have tight lids, and square heads and muzzles.

There are two coat types called smooth and rough, or short and long. The smooth shorter coat is tough, flat and close against the body and the long, rough coat is dense, wavy and heavy around the legs, neck and ruff. Both types have long tails that hang low and are heavy. Saints are known to slobber, drool and snore.

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.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness excellent

2.Special talents tracking

st bernard dog - characteristics3.Adaptability no - these are giant dogs that need a lot of room. A large fenced yard or farm is best. They won’t do well in an apartment. They need exercise every day and loping around a yard is very good for them. They love to play in the snow, carry a backpack or pull a cart. They love to have a “job”

4.Learning ability – They are smart and highly trainable if motivated. They may appear lazy but they are just laid back and need a motivation.

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.

Health Problems

st bernard puppies - health problemsThe first problem this breed faces is how fast they grow and gain weight. This can lead to serious health issues if not controlled. Their bones can be damaged by this excessively fast rate of growth. Other issues facing the breed include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated immediately.
  • Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma – tends to be fatal.
  • Entropion and Ectropion – eyelids turn in or out and can be corrected.
  • Epilepsy – controlled by medication
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – can be fatal.
  • Eczema – skin disease can be treated.
  • Be careful of extreme heat.

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.

Caring The Pet

st bernard dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – You want to control their growth. Do not overfeed, and make sure they exercise but not too much. Feed a high quality large breed puppy food 3-4 X a day in small amounts.

2.Feeding the adult – The problem you face with he adult St. Bernard is the potential for Bloat. Don’t over feed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed 2-3 X a day in smaller amounts to prevent Bloat. Feed a high quality breed specific food if possible or an extra large breed formula.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and strength in cooler weather.

4. Games and Exercises They need exercise but not as much as you might think. The St. Bernard is a laid back lumbering character so don’t over exercise her. They enjoy weight and cart pulling but they are not athletes who enjoy frisbee or agility. Search and rescue trials and tracking trials are perfect athletic endeavors for them.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Height Male:
63 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
25 - 38 cm
9 - 15 inches
Height Female:
60 - 69 cm
23 - 28 inches
25 - 38 cm
9 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
52 - 85 kg
114 - 188 pounds
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 9
4 - 8
Size:
Giant dog
Small dog
Other Names:
St. Bernhardshund Bernhardiner Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
JRT, Jack
Colors Available:
redish- Brown and white with a black mask to blond and white with black mask
black, White with orange or fawn colored patches - tri-color - white, tan
Coat:
rough or smooth
Short and smooth or longer and rough
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. St. Bernard vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. St. Bernard vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. St. Bernard vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  5. St. Bernard vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  6. St. Bernard vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. St. Bernard vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. St. Bernard vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  9. St. Bernard vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  10. St. Bernard vs Spanish Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  11. St. Bernard vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. St. Bernard vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  14. St. Bernard vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  15. St. Bernard vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. St. Bernard vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  17. St. Bernard vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  18. St. Bernard vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  19. St. Bernard vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Jack Russell Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Jack Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Jack Russell Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Jack Russell Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Jack Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Jack Russell Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  27. Jack Russell Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Jack Russell Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  29. Jack Russell Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Jack Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Jack Russell Terrier vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Jack Russell Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Jack Russell Terrier vs Fell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Schnauzer vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Scottish Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Patterdale Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Norwich Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Norfolk Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Parson Russell Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Russell Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Manchester Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds