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It is easy to confuse Jack Russell, Parson Russell and Russell Terrier. These three distinct breeds share similar origin and ancestry and they are extremely similar in their appearance and temperament. But still, they are not identical.
There are definitely more similarities in these three breeds as they all share the same background. The roots of all three breeds can be traced to the first half of 19th century to avid hunter reverend John Jack Russell, who was also known as Parson Russell. Reverend Russell bought small white and tan terrier female named Trump from a local milkman. Trump was used to bolt foxes out of their burrows and she was just amazing at it! Because Trumps character and personality was just incredible for hunting, mr. Russell decided to start a breeding program around her and indeed, Reverend Russell created exceptional hunting dog for the terrain and environment of his home region, Devonshire, England, which was very confident, fiesty and strong dog with slightly longer legs. When Mr. Russell passed on, other breeders continued developing the breed. But different lines were developed in different parts of the world with different terrain, which caused slight differences between each lines. These dogs were bred for hunting purpose and thus, somedogs had shorter legs and stockier body than the original Reverend Russells dogs. The official FCI breed standard states, that over the time, two varieties of this breed evolved with almost identical breed standards with only subtle differences. One variety was recognized as Parson Russell and the second as Jack Russell. But for example the AKC only recognizes the Parson Russell Terrier, as the Jack Russell club of America preferred to remain their own entity and refuse to join the AKC. So now you know the common origins of the Jack Russell, Parson Russell and Russell Terrier, but what are the actual differences between them? Lets start with the Parson Russell and JRT differences, as those two dogs are extremely similar. The main differences are size and body type. According to the breed standard, the Parson Russell Terrier height is between 12-14 inch, which is 31-36 cm, while the Jack Russell height is between 10-15 inches, which is 25-38 cm. So according to the breed standard, the Jack Russell could be larger than the Parson, but on average, the Parson Russell Terrier is slightly taller dog, with longer legs and it should have more squarely built body. On the other hand the JRT is on average slightly smaller and its body is more rectangular. The Parson Russell can also have slightly larger head, but the difference is very small. The coat types, color, eyes, ears, tail and virtually every other appearance aspect of those two breeds is the same, so as you can see the difference is not really that huge. When it comes to temperament, it is also very similar. Both dogs are energetic hunters with higher prey drive, which are very bold, courageous, alert and confident. They are very friendly with its own family, but they are pretty watchful around strangers. Some people claim, that Parson Russell Terriers are better suited for hunting purposes, while the Jack Russell Terrier is better as companion dog, while other people say that the temperament of those two breeds is almost identical. Overall, even if there would be some differences in temperament, they would be very small. To make it even more confusing, there is also the third breed, the Russell Terrier, but luckily, in this case the difference is very clear. The Russell Terrier, in some parts of the world also known as Irish Russell Terrier or English Russell Terrier is just a smaller version of the two breeds mentioned before with shorter legs. This physical difference exists mostly because the Russell Terrier was further developed in Australia to dive straight into fox dens where the original breeds could not go that easily. The Russell Terrier height is only between 10-12 inches, which is 25-30 cm. Other than that, there are no big differences from the other two breeds. All three breeds share the same, predominantly white color, three different coat types, the smooth, rough and broken, and the same purpose – to be excellent fox hunters. The differences between them are not huge and if you are looking for smaller, but active companion with boundless energy that is always ready for outdoor adventure, then these breeds might be excellent for you. But make sure it is really a right dog for you! They are hunters and they are not best suited for families with other smaller household pets, because they might try to chase them down. You also must provide them with enough daily physical and mental stimulation, otherwise they might develop some unwanted behaviour, such as destruction. They need constant interaction with the world around them – sniffing, listening, chewing, playing, running. They are just big dogs, in small package and i can guarantee you, that you will never be bored with neither of these three breeds! On the first sight, Dobermans and Beaucerons are pretty similar dogs, sharing similar size, body type, color and markings. But they are definitely not identical dogs as they have different history, utilization and temperament.
A person who owned or lived with Beauceron or Doberman would probably never confuse these breeds. But it is understandable, that a person, who does not normally encounter these breeds can confuse them. Probably the number one reason for this confusion is the color. Both breeds have black coat with rust markings on similar places. They are also similarly sized, they have similar body type and they can both have either natural or cropped ears. But their appearance is definitely not identical. The Dobeman tends to be leaner, taller and it has sleek single coat. The Beaucerons coat is much thicker and it is a doublecoat, which can easily withstand harsh weather. Their fur is kind of more messy, than the perfectly elegant Dobermans coat. Beaucerons are also stockier dogs, they do not look that athletic and agile as Dobies, but it is still very quick and athletic breed. The tail of Doberman is very often docked, but Beauceron tail should always be naturally long. Another important apperance trait of Beauceron is double dewclaws on reer feet. Some Doberman can have them too, but for Beauceron it is an important trait that vast majority of them have. It is also important to say, that both dogs are not only in black and tan color, even though it is by far the most common color combination in both breeds. Beaucerons are occasionally in blue mottled with tan markings and Dobermans, depending on the breed standard, can be red and rust, blue and rust, fawn and rust or all black. But the real difference between these two dogs is not in their appearance, but in their personality. And to understand their personality, it is important to know their purpose, the utilization they were bred for. Lets start with the Doberman. The Doberman was developed at the end of 19th century by German tax collector Louis Doberman as ideal breed for personal protection, which is their main purpose even today. Great emphasis were placed on the dogs courage, alertness, determination and confidence. On the other hand, the Beaucerons main utilization is not personal protection, but working with livestock. They are excellent at both – herding it and guarding it. This is breed is much older than Doberman and its history probably dates back to 1500s France, where it was used as all around farm dog. So the Doberman was bred to primarily work with people, while the Beauceron primarily worked with animals. Interesting fact is, that it is very likely that Beaucerons played a role in the Dobermans development. We are not 100% sure what exact breeds were used in Doberman creation, but most experts believe that it were Rottweilers, German Pinschers, Weimeraners and Beaucerons, which would explain the similarities between these dogs. So now you know that both breeds are used for different tasks. Both are very succesful at their jobs, but to be good at different jobs, they must have slightly different temperament. Both dogs are absolutely loyal and devoted to its people and family and they create strong bond with them. The Doberman, especially the European type of a Doberman, is high performance dog, with very alert and sharp temperament. If they are not in their home, they are constantly scanning their surroundings for potential danger and they would definitely protect its owners if needed. On the other hand, the Beauceron is little bit calmer and gentler dog. But they also have natural guarding instinct, but i would say that they are not as sharp as Dobermans. But of course, all these traits are also vastly influenced by early socialization, which is absolutely essential for both breeds. The Doberman is also more active breed. Dont get me wrong, the Beauceron definitely needs daily longer walks to stay healthy and happy, but after that, they will be absolutely happy to lay by your side and chill. The Doberman will also cuddle with you, but they will be always ready for any kind of action. If you want to do virtually any kind of activity, Doberman will gladly do it with you anytime. They just seems tireless. But again, this does not mean that Beaucerons are coach potatoes, not at all, but they are definitely calmer than the Doberman. Neither of those two dogs have high prey drive, as they were never used for hunting and thus, they can both happily live with other household pets, especially if socialized together from the puppyhood. Beauceron can sometimes try to herd other animals, as it is their instinct, but again, they should never harm them. The maintenance and grooming of both breeds is not hard, but the Beauceron sheds more than Doberman. Dobermans coat should be brushed from time to time and it is enough to keep it in excellent condition. The Beaucerons doublecoat should be brushed regularly in order to minimize the shedding and to remove any loose hair and dirt from it. The Beaucerons really sheds quite a lot, much more than Doberman and you should be prepared for it. In worldwide perspective, the Doberman is much more popular and common breed. Which is probably a reason why i never heard a Doberman owner says, that someone mistaken his dog with Beauceron, but i heard several Beauceron breeders say, that people confuse their dogs quite often with Dobies. Lets start the breed comparsion with the appearance. Both breeds are small dogs, but Lhasa Apso is bigger, especially in terms of weight. The Lhasa Apso weighs approximatelly 14 lbs, which is 6 kg, while the Maltese only weighs arounds 6 lbs, which is 3 kg. Females tend to be slightly smaller than males. The difference in height is not so big and the average Lhasa Apso height is 25 cm and Maltese height is around 22 cm, which is 10 and 9 inches.
The size is not the only appearance difference. The most important is probably the coat and color. The Maltese has a silky and most importantly, pure white coat. The Lhasa Apso on the other hand has long and hard coat, which can be in many different colors, such as black, brownish, grizzle, golden, sandy, smoke or white. Both breeds have very attractive and besides the color and size similar appearance. The main difference between them is in the temperament and to understand the temperament, we need to look at their history. The Maltese dog always was a very popular companion and lap dog, beloved by very old civilizations like Greeks or Romans. It was never used for any other purpose than companionship. One of the well-known duty of the Maltese was as a “comforter” to the sick people of Egypt and later, the Europeans, because people believed, that they have healing powers. On the other hand, the Lhasa Apso is not only a companion dog. While the Maltese comes from Mediterranean Basin, the Lhasa Apso is a dog from Tibet, where it was developed by the Buddhist monks in the mountains of Tibet to be a watchdog, which will be very alert and keen and that will let the monks know by barking, if they see or hear any intruders. Even though today the Lhasa Apso is only rarely, almost never, for their original purpose as a watchdog, they still have it in them, which is creating quite a big difference in comparsion to completely affectionate and cuddly Maltese. The Maltese is just the definition of an amazing companion and lap dog, with their fun loving, sociable, people oriented, intelligent, trainable and devoted personality. The Lhasa Apso on the other hand is perfect for people who are looking for a small dog with big dog personality. They are typically friendly with their people, around its family, but alert and suspicious towards strangers. They are alert, courageous and fearless, independent and sometimes quite bossy. On the other hand also clownish, loving, loyal and devoted. I am not going to say, which dog is better, that is impossible, because it really depends on what you expect from a dog. Both breeds need daily exercise, but they are okay with few daily longer walks, accompanied with some playtime and fun training sessions. The exercise is not very challanging with these dogs, but what can be a little challenge is the grooming. The continuously growing coat needs to be brushed daily to keep mats and tangles under control. Some owners choose to keep Maltese's and Lhasa Apso's hair short for easier maintenance and many owners choose services of professional groomers. If you choose one of these dogs prepare for extensive grooming. But good fact is, that both dogs are low shedding. Just like with any other breeds, you must also regularly check their eyes, ears, nails and teeth and clip them or clean them if needed. The OES and Bearded Collie might look very similar and some people might confuse them together, but they are definitely not identical. The Bobtail is slightly larger with average height around 60 cm, or 24 inches and weight 40 kg, which is 88 pounds. The Bearded Collie height is usually somewhere around 53 cm, or 21 inches and weight around 22 kg, which is 48 pounds.
Both breeds have long and thick coat which protects them from harsh weather. Both coats requires extensive brushing to prevent matting and tangling. The Bobtails coat probably requires little bit more grooming, since their undercoat is much denser and it is matting more. The Beardies coat is more manageable. Traiditionally, the Old English Sheepdog has docked tail, which is why they are nicknamed Bobtail, but today, it is normal to see OES with long tail. The Bearded Collies tail is quite long. Next to the size, you can distinquish those two breeds by the hair on the head. The Bearded Collies fur falls from the top of the forehead creating a kind of "eyebrows" over the eyes, and forms a characteristic "beard" around the mouth, which is why they are named Bearded. The OES on the other hand does not have those two features. The temperament of both dogs is very similar. Of course, the temperament and personality can be vastly influenced by early training and socialization, but in general, both breeds make excellent active family companions who love its owners and family and are very affectionate towards them. Both are also pretty accepting to other people and animals if you introduce them properly and they are quite tolerant towards kids. But of course, you should never leave any dog breed with very young child unsupervised. Some owners suggest, that Old English Sheepdog has higher protective nature to its owners and property, but they are absolutely okay with people you introduce to them. Again, this can be vastly influenced by early socialization. Both breeds are very very active. Bearded Collie is a bit more active, agile and overall hyper and it needs truly a lot of exercise, but both breeds need a lot of daily physical and mental stimulation. Daily longer walks, hikes or jogs are necessary to have a healthy and happy dog in your home. Those two breeds are also extremely trainable, which is due to the combination of the high intelligence and their love to its people. But early training with proper socialization is essential, just like with all breeds. With enough patience and consistency, both breeds are capable of learning tons of different trick and commands. Overall, those two breeds have extremely similar personality. They are not for everyone, but if you are an active person, who likes outgoing and devote dogs, than there is a big chance, that both breeds would be a great fit for you. In the beginning of the video i said, that both breeds are from Great Britain, but they actually have different country of origin, because the Old English Sheepdog was developed in England, but Bearded Collie is from Scotland. But originally, both dogs were used for herding purposes. Every breed is prone to certain health issues. The Old English Sheepdog is hip dysplasia, entropion and cataracts. Bearded Collie is usually very healthy breed, but they ocassionally suffer from hip dysplasia or epilepsy. Those two breeds have different life expectancy and it is logical, that the larger Old English Sheepdog lifespan is slightly shorter, around 10 years, than the Bearded Collies 13-14 years. Poodles and Schnauzers are quite popular breeds. One of the reason is, that both come in three different sizes. The Poodle comes in toy, miniature and standard and Schnauzer also have three sizes, miniature, standard and giant and you can see the size comparsion on the screen right now.
Another similarity is their coat. While the Poodle is marked as a hypoallergenic breed that does not shed at all, the Schnauzer sheds a little bit more, but it is still a very low shedding breed. If you suffer from allergies, there is no such thing as completely hypoallergenic dog breed, since they all produce some dander or salive, but the Poodle has a high chance to not trigger the allergies. Both breeds require quite a lot of grooming. Even though they do not shed much, they need often brushing and trimming. Many people choose services of professional groomer, because the grooming can be little bit too much time consuming. Both breeds are very intelligent, constantly ranking among the smartest of all breeds. Its impossible to say, which one is smarter, but it is not that important, both are very intelligent. It is said, that the Poodle is easier to train, which is mostly due to the Schnauzer independent mind. The poodle also be friendlier towards strangers, while the Schnauzer is naturally good watchdog and can be trained to be excellent guarding dog. The Schnauzer is very loyal and affectionate to its family. Both, Poodles and Schnauzers, especially the smaller varieties bark quite a lot and they should be trained from the puppyhood to not bark excessively. I would say, that the Poodle is better choice for novices or unexperienced owners, because the Schnauzers independent mind need a trainer who know what he is doing. But just like with all dogs, the key to succesfull training is a lot of patience, consistency and lot of treats and affection for good behaviour. Another thing, especially if you are thinking about standard poodle or schnauzer, is their energy level. Those are very active and high energy dogs, that need daily proper outdoor exercise. It can be long walks, jogs or swims! These dogs will enjoy almost any activity with their people. You should also challenge them mentally, for example by some dog sport, daily training sessions or some interactive dog toys. With enough exercise, these dogs will happily live indoors. Especially the smaller varieties are excellent for apartment living. Larger types are better for living in houses with yard, but even them will like to live indoors, next to their people. Great fact about both dogs is, that they have quite a long lifespan, which is typically between 13-16 years. Smaller dogs typically live longer, so it should not be a surprise that smaller the miniature poodle and Schnauzer normally live little bit longer than Standard types. Just like all dogs, even the Poodles and Schnauzers can suffer from some health issues. Some poodles suffer from epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy or diabetes, while some Schnauzers can be prone to liver diesases, skin problems or von Willebrands disease. There is also a cross between those two breeds, which is called Schnoodle. But just like all the crossbreeds, its impossible to predict its temperament and appearance, since it can inherit it from either of its parent. If you are an active person who does not mind the extensive grooming needs, than both dogs have potential to be the best companion dogs. The main difference probably is, that the Schnauzer is more independent breed than the eager to please Poodle. It is impossible to say, which one is better, because it really depends on what do you expect from the dog! |