Jack Russell vs Parson Russell: What Are The Differences?

Jack Russell, also known as Jack Russell terrier, and Parson Russell, also referred to as Parson Russell terrier, are both breeds of terriers who closely resemble each other. Both are bred to be show dogs, but there are some key differences when comparing the two. Their body shapes and weights vary among other distinctions.

This article will address all the differences between Jack Russell terriers and Parson Russell terriers to help you distinguish between the two.

Comparing Jack Russell vs Parson Russell

6 Key Differences Between Jack Russell and Parson Russell

The key differences between Jack Russell and Parson Russell are their body sizes, shapes, weights, and lifespan. In shape, the Jack Russell is rectangular, while the Parson Russell has a square-shaped body and wider chest. Of the two, Jack Russells are used as working dogs; their counterparts are bred as show dogs. A Jack Russell’s life expectancy is 13-16 years, while a Parson Russell can live up to 15 years.

Both breeds were developed in England for fox hunting. They have white-colored coats with black or pale brown patches. Jack Russell and Parson Russell are active and energetic dogs who require a lot of exercise for better physical and mental health.

Although the two dogs are very similar, they are two different breeds. Let’s find out what makes them unique and different from each other, from their physical traits to their personalities.

Jack Russell vs Parson Russell: Size

The main way to differentiate a Jack Russell from a Parson Russell is by their size. Jack Russells weigh between 11 to 17 pounds, with their heights ranging from 10 to 15 inches. Their legs are also shorter compared to Parson Russells’. 

Parson Russells weigh around 13-17 pounds, depending on the sex of the dog. A female Parson Russell weighs 15 pounds when fully grown, while a male Parson Russell weighs 17 pounds when mature. They also have longer legs than a Jack Russell, almost equal to their body’s length.

Jack Russell vs Parson Russell: Body Shape

Another difference is their body shape. Parson Russells have a rectangular body shape. Their muzzles are very strong and rectangular, with more conspicuous and large heads. Parson Russells have almond-shaped eyes with dark rims. They also have V-shaped ears, the same as those of Jack Russells’.

On the other hand, Jack Russells possess a compact, balanced, and square-shaped body structure. Their heads are smaller than Parson Russells and are well proportioned to their bodies. Their skull is flat and constricted towards the eyes and ends in the nostrils.

Jack Russell vs Parson Russell: Coat Color

Jack Russell terriers come in three different kinds of coats: smooth, rough, and broken coats. They are purely white with either tan or black patterns. Unlike Parson Russells, Jack Russells have fewer color variations. They only come in two colors – pure white with black markings or pure white with tan markings.

Parson Russell terriers come in two different coat types: broken and smooth. These coat types are flat and thick, with the broken type being longer than the smooth one. Parson Russells are white with black or tan patterns. They can also be white with both black and tan patterns on their coats.

Jack Russell vs Parson Russell: Lifespan

The Parson Russell has an average lifespan of 13-15 years. They are strong, confident, and enduring, especially when they are well taken care of. Jack Russell’s life expectancy is around 13 to 16 years.

Nevertheless, Jack Russell and Parson Russell don’t age the same way. Some start aging sooner than expected, while others won’t show signs of aging at all.

Jack Russell vs Parson Russell: Yapping/Barking

The Jack Russell barks a lot compared to Parson Russell. Jack Russells are naturally born with a territorial and protective instinct. Therefore, their defensive attitude towards their owners and territories makes them bark a lot. They bark at other people, squirrels, doorbells, other dogs, and many other things.

There are other common reasons Jack Russell barks as well. They yap when they need attention, are bored, or do so out of excitement and fear. Technically, they bark for a reason. 

Parson Russells don’t bark as much as Jack Russells. They only bark loudly to sound an alarm whenever they see people approaching their environment. These dogs don’t feel threatened by intruders or other dogs. They welcome other dogs that are like them.

Jack Russell vs Parson Russell: Temperament

Jack Russell terrier is an aggressive dog, especially with other dogs, strangers, and children. This aggression is stimulated by a lack of socialization and exercise with other dogs and people. Jack Russels need to be exposed to different experiences, sights, sounds, and people earlier to reduce their aggression. Their fearless nature puts them at a huge risk of being attacked by bigger dogs because they often attempt to take down bigger animals.

Unlike Jack Russells, Parson Russells are not aggressive. That is why they can do well with children and strangers, though they won’t tolerate being handled roughly. They also have a dominant personality. Hence, they need to know who their master is, or else Person Russell will fill the void independently.

Bonus: For What Purpose Were Jack Russel vs Parson Russel Created?

Both Jack Russells and Parson Russells were bred by the same man–Reverend John “Jack” Russell. An avid hunter nicknamed “The Sporting Parson,” he wanted to create a fox terrier strain that could mix with foxhounds but was small enough to enter fox dens and drive them out. The Jack Russell’s character, coloring, flexibility, and intelligence were all traits that lent to this dog’s superiority as a hunting companion. As this new dog breed spread from 1819 onward, it also proved to be a good working terrier, capable of locating animals like raccoons and woodchucks, as well as foxes.

In the mid-1800s, John Russell came out with a variation on the Jack Russell that could not only flush out red foxes, but could better pursue them with its longer legs. While it’s thought (but not a verified fact) that the original Jack Russell terrier was created by crossing bull terriers and beagles with a mix of other dogs, the Parson Russel came from a mix of other dog breeds cross-bred with white and tan terriers.

The Parson Terrier and Jack Russell received attention from Arthur Blake Heinemann, who founded the Devon and Somerset Badger Club. This club recognized that these dogs had skills for badger digging, and eventually renamed their club the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club.

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