Pug vs Jack Russell Terrier
Compare the Pug to the Jack Russell Terrier. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Pugs and Jack Russell Terriers.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - Both the Pug and Jack Russell Terrier are okay choices for new or inexperienced owners.
- Children - Both breeds are child friendly, but the Pug is the most friendly between the breeds.
- Grooming - The Jack Russell Terrier is easy to groom. The Pug has high grooming requirements.
- Barking - Both breeds will bark frequently, but the Jack Russell Terrier has the highest tendency to bark between the two.
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| Breed Name | Pug | Jack Russell Terrier |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | Maybe |
| Lifespan | 12-15 yrs. | 10-15 yrs. |
| Height | 10-14 in. | 10-15 in. |
| Weight | 13-20 lb | 13-17 lb |
| Intelligence | Below Average | High |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | China | United Kingdom |
| Origin Year | 206 BC | 1819 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | No | Yes |
| Medium Yard | No | No |
| Large Yard | No | No |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 55°F to 80°F | 55°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | Low | Very High |
| Exercise Required | Low | Medium-High |
| Top Running Speed | 12 mph | 20 mph |
| Strength | Low | Medium |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | High | Low |
| Shedding | High | Low |
| Dander | High | Low |
| Drool Amount | None | None |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Pug | Jack Russell Terrier |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Independent | No | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | No | No |
| Average | Yes | Yes |
| Focused & Patient | No | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Below Average | Below Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Below Average | Average |
| Chasing | Below Average | High |
| Follow Commands | Below Average | Average |
| Fighting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Herding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Hunting | Below Average | High |
| Protection | Below Average | Very Low |
| Remove Vermin | Below Average | Very Low |
| Sledding | Very Low | Very Low |
| Watch | Below Average | Average |
| Breed Name | Pug | Jack Russell Terrier |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 12-15 yrs. | 10-15 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Allergies | Yes | No |
| Cheyletiella Dermatitis | Yes | No |
| Corneal Ulcers | Yes | No |
| Deafness | No | Yes |
| Demodectic Mange | Yes | No |
| Distichiasis | Yes | No |
| Dry Eye | Yes | No |
| Entropion | Yes | No |
| Epilepsy | Yes | No |
| Glaucoma | No | Yes |
| Hemi-vertebrae | Yes | No |
| Hip Dysplasia | Yes | No |
| Legg-perthes Disease | Yes | Yes |
| Lens Luxation | No | Yes |
| Nerve Degeneration | Yes | No |
| Patellar Luxation | Yes | Yes |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | Yes | No |
| Proptosis | Yes | No |
| Pug Dog Encephalitis | Yes | No |
| Staph Infection | Yes | No |
| Vaccination Sensitivity | Yes | No |
| Yeast Infection | Yes | No |
| Breed Name | Pug | Jack Russell Terrier |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Double Coat | Yes | Yes |
| Smooth Coat | No | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Straight | Yes | No |
| Rough | No | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Short | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Black | Yes | No |
| Fawn | Yes | No |
| Tri-color | No | Yes |
| White & Black | No | Yes |
| White & Brown | No | Yes |
| White & Cream | No | Yes |
| White & Tan | No | Yes |