Golden Retriever VS Jack Russell Terrier: 19 Differences

Both dogs are intelligent, agile, exuberant, and friendly, but one is more independent, stubborn, and barky, whereas another one is gentle and goofy.

There’s no universal answer for which dog breed to choose. It depends on your personality, living conditions, lifestyle, experience handling dogs, and availability of free time.

Interacting with both breeds can help you determine which is a better fit for you. And if you can’t decide, get both – golden retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers make excellent companions!

Size & Weight

Size is an apparent difference between golden retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers. Golden retriever males reach 24 inches in height and weigh 65-75 pounds, while females are 21-22.5 inches tall and usually don’t exceed 65 pounds.

Jack Russell Terriers range from 12 to 14 inches in height and weigh 13 to 17 pounds on average. Although these dogs are miniature, they are very athletic.

Shedding

Golden retrievers are notorious for intense shedding – they are among the most shedding dogs. As if seasonal shedding phases weren’t problematic enough, golden retrievers have long, light fur that’s very noticeable on carpets, furniture, and clothes.

Like all dogs, Jack Russell Terriers shed year-round. However, they don’t have a dense undercoat like golden retrievers do and don’t have seasonal shedding phases.

Furthermore, their fur is short and less noticeable on surfaces. Jack Russell Terriers shed so little that some people believe they don’t shed at all.

Personality

Golden retrievers are confident, outgoing, curious, friendly dogs that love to meet new people and explore wild terrains.

They are a bit goofy and mischievous yet obedient and eager to please. These exuberant dogs make perfect companions for equally active and extroverted people.

Jack Russell Terriers are equally energetic and friendly as goldens. Their behavior is predictable, and they are rarely aggressive. However, they are independent, courageous, alert, and stubborn, which may be problematic without proper training.

Child-Friendliness

Golden retrievers are perfect playmates for older children who can handle the dog’s high energy levels. They are gentle, patient, affectionate, and don’t bark much, so they can live with babies, but they are a bit too exuberant.

Jack Russell Terriers are recommended for kids over eight years old who are mature enough to treat the dog right. These dogs aren’t as patient and gentle as golden retrievers, so they can be easily triggered by loud noises or specific actions.

Pet-Friendliness

A golden retriever will get along with any other animal provided they are introduced correctly. These dogs are rarely aggressive and are unlikely to begin a confrontation first. They have a low prey drive and won’t chase smaller pets.

Jack Russell Terriers need to be socialized from an early age. Otherwise, they may be aloof of other dogs or even straight-up aggressive. These dogs have a high prey drive and may run after cats, rabbits, and other small pets.

Barking Level

Golden retrievers don’t bark much because they were bred to retrieve waterfowl, and barking would scare off the birds. Goldens use barking for communication, like all dogs, but only when necessary.

Jack Russell Terriers bark a lot. Barking is rooted in their genes, so they bark whenever someone approaches them or they see a hunting target. Owners can fight this habit, but it takes time and dedication.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers are among the most intelligent dog breeds, ranked fourth among over 130 study participants.

They are eager to please, obedient, and have a fantastic memory and excellent problem-solving skills, so even an inexperienced owner will have no problem training a golden.

Jack Russell Terriers are ranked 84th in the same study, primarily because of their stubbornness. These dogs are brilliant – they quickly memorize commands and can perform complex tasks requiring creative thinking.

However, Jack Russell Terriers aren’t obedience champs, and owners must invest effort into training the dog.

Common Behavior Problems

Golden retrievers that weren’t socialized in puppyhood or were abused often suffer from separation anxiety and phobias. Because of their curious, friendly nature, pulling on the leash and jumping on people is instinctive in goldens.

An under-stimulated golden retriever may engage in destructive behavior, digging and chewing on things. The most common Jack Russell Terrier behavior problem is excessive barking.

These small dogs may hesitate to obey commands or be overprotective of their owner or territory. Digging is natural for Jack Russell Terriers yet shouldn’t be encouraged.

Exercise Needs

Golden retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers need at least an hour of exercise daily. Both breeds have high energy levels and need plenty of mental stimulation, so they may find regular walks boring.

Golden retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers will appreciate hiking, swimming, playing fetch, tug of war, and other creative exercises. The exercise duration may vary depending on its type and the dog’s age.

Grooming Needs

When choosing a dog, consider how much time you’re ready to invest in grooming it. Golden retrievers require daily brushing to prevent their lustrous fur from tangling and forming mats.

How often to bathe a golden retriever depends on its lifestyle, but the general recommendation is once in four to six weeks.

Shaving can damage golden retriever fur and hinder the dog’s thermoregulation, but feather trimming is beneficial.

Jack Russell Terrier grooming involves occasional brushing (about once a week) and trimming longer fur on the face and feet. Bathing is only necessary when the dog gets dirty.

Lifespan

Golden retriever life expectancy doesn’t exceed 12 years. In contrast, Jack Russell Terriers live 13-16 years on average.

Such a difference is natural because smaller dogs typically live longer than medium-sized and large breeds.

Health Issues

Common golden retriever health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, cancer, obesity, hypothyroidism, and ear infections, particularly in dogs that love swimming.

Jack Russell Terriers are prone to patellar luxation, deafness, glaucoma, knee cap dislocation, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, and heart diseases.

The good news is that many of these disorders can be avoided with genetic screening, and others can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle.

Price

Golden retriever puppies from a reputable breeder are expensive, ranging from $1,500 to over $3,000 for a show-quality puppy. Some breeders sell puppies for $700 and under, but they usually don’t have documents.

Jack Russell Terriers are cheaper. High-quality puppies with a complete document package are available for $600-$1,500.

However, a puppy’s price depends on many factors, including the breeder’s reputation, the puppy’s lineage, and compliance with the breed standard.

Suitability for Inexperienced Dog Owners

Golden retrievers make perfect dogs for first-time owners because of their easy trainability and lovely nature, although they require regular grooming and plenty of physical activity.

At first, getting a Jack Russell Terrier for a first-time owner may seem like a good idea. These dogs are small and have moderate grooming needs. However, they require some experience in training, or they may become mischievous and loud.

If you want a Jack Russell Terrier but have no experience with dogs, consider hiring a professional dog trainer.

Suitability for Apartments

Golden retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers can live in apartments with some caveats.

The owner must provide the dog with enough exercise outdoors and train the dog not to bark unless necessary, which isn’t simple with Jack Russell Terriers.

Suitability as Service Dogs

Golden retrievers are some of the best service dog breeds. They are well-behaved and rarely aggressive, so they are unlikely to hurt a stranger.

These dogs are strong enough to carry grocery bags, push a wheelchair, or support a person who doesn’t feel well. Obedience and intelligence are obvious points in favor of golden retrievers as service dogs.

Jack Russell Terriers can be service dogs, but they aren’t the best choice because of their stubbornness, high barking level, and limited physical capacity.

Suitability as Guard or Protection Dogs

Golden retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers make poor guard dogs, but for different reasons. Goldens are physically strong and intelligent yet too friendly to strangers. Jack Russell Terriers are alert and barky yet too small.

However, both breeds are loyal and protective of their owners, so they won’t let anyone hurt their favorite human on a walk.

Suitability as Hunting Dogs

Golden retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers are hunting breeds, but they are used for different purposes. Golden retrievers were intended to retrieve waterfowl but can also be used as tracking dogs.

Jack Russell Terriers were historically used for hunting vermin – for this reason, they have a high prey drive and short legs. Jack Russell Terriers make poor retrievers but great tracking dogs.

Rarity

Both breeds are popular in the U.S. and the world. Golden retrievers are ranked third on the most popular dog breed list by American Kennel Club, and Jack Russell Terriers are ranked 12th.

The rarest golden retriever color is red, and Jack Russell Terrier is pure white.

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