Last Updated: Apr 30, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Standard Poodle Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
- Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
- Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier
- Size Comparison of the Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Appearance (Colors) of the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier
- Lifespan of Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Temperament of the Standard Poodle Versus the Jack Russell Terrier
- Price of Standard Poodle versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
- Adopting the Standard Poodle versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Standard Poodle versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier
- Do Standard Poodles shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Are Standard Poodles good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- Is the Standard Poodle Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Standard Poodles and Jack Russell Terriers?
- Does the Standard Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
- Do Standard Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
- Can Standard Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Standard Poodle vs. Jack Russell Terrier
- Can Standard Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Standard Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Standard Poodle Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Standard Poodle and for the Jack Russell Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier.
Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:
However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.
See this article that compares the poodle (standard,miniature, and toy) to the Jack Russell Terrier.
Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.

Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Standard Poodle is a large-sized dog while the Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Standard Poodle belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Standard Poodle to the Jack Russell Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier
Factor | Standard Poodle | Jack Russell Terrier |
---|---|---|
Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 15 years |
General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Weight | 35 to 70 pounds | 13 to 17 pounds |
Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Height | From 10 to over 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.5 years |
Average Price | $1980 | $1100 |
Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | $700 – $1250 |
Temperament Score | 87.2 percent | 85.5 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 2 | 46 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Standard Poodle in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Jack Russell Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Standard Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Standard Poodle is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier. So, you should get a Standard Poodle!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier
Below is a list of where the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier
The Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier.
The Standard Poodle weighs 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Standard Poodle is From 10 to over 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Jack Russell Terrier weighs 13 to 17 pounds when fully grown. The Jack Russell Terrier is 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

As mentioned earlier, Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences.
Standard Poodles are the biggest of the poodle varieties. Adult Standard Poodles are 24 inches to 27 inches tall and weigh between 38 pounds and 70 pounds. To learn more about Standard Poodle Growth, Weight, and Height, check out our article on Standard Poodle growth, weight and height.
Appearance (Colors) of the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier
Standard Poodle Colors
The Standard Poodle comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Apricot / Beige
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Bicolor
- Brown / Chocolate
- Golden
- Gray / Blue / Silver
The Standard Poodle comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
Jack Russell Terrier Colors
The Jack Russell Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Bicolor
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
The Jack Russell Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Apricot / Beige
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Golden
Lifespan of Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier
The lifespan of the Standard Poodle is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Standard Poodle is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Jack Russell Terrier is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Jack Russell Terrier is 12.5 years.
The Standard Poodle live longer than the Jack Russell Terrier.

Temperament of the Standard Poodle Versus the Jack Russell Terrier
The Standard Poodle has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Standard Poodle is 87.2 percent while the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 87.2 percent, the Standard Poodle has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 85.5 percent, the Jack Russell Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 266 Standard Poodles and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.
Price of Standard Poodle versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier
The average price of the Standard Poodle puppy is $1980. The price of the Standard Poodle typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Standard Poodle can be as low as $200 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2524 Standard Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Jack Russell Terrier puppy is $1100. The price of the Jack Russell Terrier typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of the Jack Russell Terrier can be as low as $200 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 410 Jack Russell Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Standard Poodle is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.
Standard Poodle | Jack Russell Terrier | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $1980 | $1100 |
Price Range | $1400 to $2500 | $700 to $1250 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Standard Poodle and Jack Russell Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Standard Poodle puppies or how many Jack Russell Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

A breakdown of the prices of Standard Poodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.

A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Standard Poodle puppy or the Jack Russell Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
To know about standard poodle prices and standard poodle buying advice, check out our article on standard poodle cost.

Adopting the Standard Poodle versus Adopting the Jack Russell Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Standard Poodles and many Jack Russell Terriers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Standard Poodle named Noodle that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Standard Poodles like Noodle on pefinder.com.
Also, like Standard Poodles, Jack Russell Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Adam is a Male Jack Russell Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Jack Russell Terriers like Adam that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

Mason is the name of another Standard Poodle (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Standard Poodles and Jack Russell Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Standard Poodle versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier
Standard Poodle | Jack Russell Terrier | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 2 out of 130 dog breeds | 46 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Standard Poodle has an obedience intelligence rank of 2 out of 130 dog breeds. The Standard Poodle belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Standard Poodles tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Jack Russell Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Jack Russell Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Standard Poodle is more intelligent than the Jack Russell Terrier.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
Tolerates Being Alone: Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier
Standard Poodles do not like to be left alone.
Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.
See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.
Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Standard Poodles shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?
Standard Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.
Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding.
Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier?
Standard Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.
Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.
Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier?
Standard Poodles get along very well with other dogs.
Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.
Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.
Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Standard Poodles good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
Standard Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here.
Jack Russell Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Standard Poodle Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?
Standard Poodles are very easy to train.
Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.
To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.
Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier
Standard Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Standard Poodles and Jack Russell Terriers?
Standard Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Standard Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?
Standard Poodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Jack Russell Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Standard Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?
Standard Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Jack Russell Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Standard Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Standard Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Standard Poodle vs. Jack Russell Terrier
Standard Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Jack Russell Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Standard Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Standard Poodles can tolerate hot weather.
Jack Russell Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Standard Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?
Standard Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.
Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Standard Poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier?
Standard Poodles are very good for new dog owners.
Jack Russell Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Standard Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Standard Poodle compares to other breeds aside from the Jack Russell Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Standard Poodle to other breeds:
Standard Poodle versus Cocker Spaniel Standard Poodle versus Airedale Terrier Standard Poodle versus Bernese Mountain Dog Standard Poodle versus Alaskan Malamute Standard Poodle versus Goldendoodle Standard Poodle versus Basset Hound Standard Poodle versus Belgian Malinois Standard Poodle versus Great Dane Standard Poodle versus Standard Schnauzer Standard Poodle versus Saint Bernard Standard Poodle versus Australian Shepherd Standard Poodle versus Giant Schnauzer Standard Poodle versus Irish Water Spaniel Standard Poodle versus Labradoodle Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier
Conclusion: Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you and your family.