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Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Apr 30, 2022

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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:

  • The Standard Poodle
  • The Miniature Poodle
  • The Toy Poodle


  • 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

    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

    FactorStandard PoodleJack Russell Terrier
    Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
    Does NOT Shed5/53/5
    Does NOT Drool5/55/5
    Easy To Groom1/53/5
    Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 15 years
    General Health2/54/5
    Low Prey Drive4/51/5
    Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
    Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
    Tendency NOT to Wander3/52/5
    Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
    Weight35 to 70 pounds13 to 17 pounds
    Easygoing2/53/5
    Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
    Dog Friendly4/55/5
    Friendly Toward Strangers4/54/5
    Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
    Does NOT chew on things2/52/5
    NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
    Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
    Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/53/5
    Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
    Affectionate With Family5/55/5
    Kid-Friendly5/54/5
    Easy To Train5/54/5
    Intelligence5/55/5
    Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
    HeightFrom 10 to over 22 inches tall at the shoulder10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
    Average Lifespan13.5 years12.5 years
    Average Price$1980$1100
    Price Range$1400 – $2500$700 – $1250
    Temperament Score87.2 percent85.5 percent
    Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)246
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    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!

    Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier

    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:

  • Standard Poodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Jack Russell Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Standard Poodles are good for new dog owners. However, Jack Russell Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • 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:

  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
  • 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.

    Size of Standard Poodle versus Size of Jack Russell Terrier

    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.

    Standard Poodle versus 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 Standard Poodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers

    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.

    Standard Poodle versus Jack Russell Terrier

    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.

    The Standard Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier can both be adopted. Images from 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • 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.