Are Jack Russell Terriers Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

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Introduction to the Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Jack Russell Terrier breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Jack Russell Terrier by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Jack Russell Terrier.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Jack Russell Terrier for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier.

The summary table below shows the score of the Jack Russell Terrier for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Prey Drive 82.1 percent
Energy Level 79.1 percent
Excitability 70.1 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 65.8 percent
Attachment Attention Seeking 64.4 percent
Dog Rivalry 61.7 percent
Separation Related Behavior 50.8 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 43.9 percent
Dog Directed Fear 39.9 percent
Stubbornness 39.1 percent
Touch Sensitivity 37.8 percent
Nonsocial Fear 37.5 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 32.5 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 19.5 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Jack Russell Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Jack Russell Terrier, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Jack Russell Terrier.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Jack Russell Terriers Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Jack Russell Terriers are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks high for aggression towards strangers.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 33 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 43.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
30 Pit Bull mix 47.6 %
31 Bouvier des Flandres 44.8 %
32 Pomeranian 44.6 %
33 Jack Russell Terrier 43.9 %
34 Pit Bull 43.9 %
35 Poodle (Toy) 42.7 %
36 Giant Schnauzer 42.3 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier

Are Jack Russell Terriers Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Jack Russell Terriers are very much aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks very high for aggression towards its owner.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 23 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has an owner-directed-aggression score of 32.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much owner-aggressive just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
20 Dalmatian 36.1 %
21 Bearded Collie 34.5 %
22 Pomeranian 33.6 %
23 Jack Russell Terrier 32.5 %
24 Shih Tzu 32.4 %
25 Chinese Shar-Pei 32.3 %
26 English Bulldog 31.9 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Jack Russell Terriers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Jack Russell Terriers are quite a bit aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks high for aggression towards other dogs.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 30 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a dog-directed aggression score of 65.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit dog-aggressive just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
27 Basenji 66.6 %
28 American Pit Bull Terrier 66.5 %
29 German Shepherd 66.2 %
30 Jack Russell Terrier 65.8 %
31 Saint Bernard 63.0 %
32 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 62.6 %
33 Tibetan Terrier 62.3 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Jack Russell Terrier

Are Jack Russell Terriers Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Jack Russell Terriers are a little bit fearful of strangers.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks low for fear of strangers.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 83 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a stranger-directed-fear score of 19.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit stranger-fearful just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
80 Whippet 20.7 %
81 Vizsla 20.7 %
82 Boston Terrier 19.6 %
83 Jack Russell Terrier 19.5 %
84 Alaskan Malamute 19.0 %
85 Basset Hound 18.8 %
86 American Staffordshire Terrier 17.0 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Jack Russell Terriers Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Jack Russell Terriers are somewhat fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks average for fear of other dogs.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 56 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a dog-directed-fear score of 39.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat other-dog-fearful just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
53 American Pit Bull Terrier 40.2 %
54 Belgian Tervuren 40.1 %
55 Papillon 40.0 %
56 Jack Russell Terrier 39.9 %
57 Cairn Terrier 39.8 %
58 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 39.1 %
59 Australian Shepherd 39.1 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Jack Russell Terrier a good pet

Do Jack Russell Terriers Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Jack Russell Terriers are quite a bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks high for non-social fear.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 44 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a nonsocial-fear score of 37.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
41 Mastiff (English) 39.7 %
42 Tibetan Terrier 38.8 %
43 Pit Bull 38.6 %
44 Jack Russell Terrier 37.5 %
45 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 37.3 %
46 German Shorthaired Pointer 37.2 %
47 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 36.6 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Jack Russell Terriers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Jack Russell Terriers are very much competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks very high on dog rivalry.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 18 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a dog-rivalry score of 61.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much competition-driven just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
15 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 71.2 %
16 American Eskimo Dog 68.0 %
17 Chihuahua 62.7 %
18 Jack Russell Terrier 61.7 %
19 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 61.3 %
20 Shiba Inu 60.5 %
21 Chinese Shar-Pei 59.9 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Norwegian Elkhound
  3. Saint Bernard
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Jack Russell Terrier. Is it aggressive?

Are Jack Russell Terriers Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Jack Russell Terriers are a little bit easy to train.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks low for trainability.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 74 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the trainability of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a trainability score of 60.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit easy to train just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
71 Boston Terrier 62.1 %
72 Chinese Shar-Pei 61.9 %
73 English Setter 61.3 %
74 Jack Russell Terrier 60.9 %
75 Alaskan Malamute 60.6 %
76 Italian Greyhound 60.6 %
77 Samoyed 60.4 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the Jack Russell Terrier is and how the intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Jack Russell Terrier is.

Do Jack Russell Terriers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Jack Russell Terriers are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 7 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a chasing score of 82.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
4 Parson Russell Terrier 88.7 %
5 Borzoi 87.0 %
6 Whippet 85.5 %
7 Jack Russell Terrier 82.1 %
8 West Highland White Terrier 82.0 %
9 Border Terrier 81.3 %
10 German Shorthaired Pointer 76.3 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Jack Russell Terrier

Do Jack Russell Terriers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Jack Russell Terriers are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks high for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 39 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 64.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
36 Portuguese Water Dog 65.1 %
37 Chinese Crested 64.7 %
38 Pomeranian 64.4 %
39 Jack Russell Terrier 64.4 %
40 Flat-Coated Retriever 63.2 %
41 Schipperke 62.4 %
42 Rottweiler 61.8 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Jack Russell Terriers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Jack Russell Terriers are quite a bit prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 34 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a separation anxiety score of 50.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
31 Bull Terrier 51.5 %
32 American Pit Bull Terrier 51.4 %
33 Basset Hound 51.0 %
34 Jack Russell Terrier 50.8 %
35 Bichon Frise 50.7 %
36 American Bulldog 49.9 %
37 Belgian Malinois 49.1 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Jack Russell Terrier

Are Jack Russell Terriers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Jack Russell Terriers are quite a bit touch-sensitive.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks high for touch sensitivity.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 36 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has a touch-sensitivity score of 37.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit touch-sensitive just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
33 Poodle (Miniature) 38.9 %
34 Chow Chow 38.3 %
35 Parson Russell Terrier 37.9 %
36 Jack Russell Terrier 37.8 %
37 Cocker Spaniel (English) 37.4 %
38 Bichon Frise 37.1 %
39 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 37.0 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Jack Russell Terriers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Jack Russell Terriers are very much hyper (excitable).

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks very high for excitability.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 6 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has an excitability score of 70.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much excitable just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
3 American Eskimo Dog 78.6 %
4 Parson Russell Terrier 75.6 %
5 Miniature Schnauzer 70.5 %
6 Jack Russell Terrier 70.1 %
7 Poodle (Miniature) 69.4 %
8 Poodle (Toy) 67.1 %
9 Old English Sheepdog 65.0 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Jack Russell Terrier

Are Jack Russell Terriers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Jack Russell Terriers

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Jack Russell Terriers are very much energetic.

This is because the Jack Russell Terrier ranks very high for energy level.

The Jack Russell Terrier ranks number 11 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 147 Jack Russell Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Jack Russell Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Jack Russell Terrier has an energy-level score of 79.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much energetic just like the Jack Russell Terrier are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
8 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 80.9 %
9 Brittany 80.0 %
10 Airedale Terrier 79.7 %
11 Jack Russell Terrier 79.1 %
12 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 79.0 %
13 Dingo 78.5 %
14 Portuguese Water Dog 78.3 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Jack Russell Terrier Temperament

The temperament of your Jack Russell Terrier comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Jack Russell Terrier is exposed to.

You cannot change your Jack Russell Terrier`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Jack Russell Terrier to.

Exposing your Jack Russell Terrier to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Jack Russell Terrier to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Jack Russell Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Jack Russell Terrier.

If you think the Jack Russell Terrier is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Jack Russell Terriers cost and Jack Russell Terrier puppy buying guide.