Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Jack Russell Terrier. Differences and Similarities

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Last Updated: Nov 07, 2022

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Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Jack Russell Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier

FactorBernese Mountain DogJack Russell Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/53/5
General Health1/54/5
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Height23 to 28 inches10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Easy To Groom3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/51/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Does NOT chew on things1/52/5
Low Prey Drive1/51/5
Life Span6 to 10 years10 to 15 years
Weight70 to 115 pounds13 to 17 pounds
Average Lifespan8.0 years12.5 years
Average Price$2390$1100
Price Range$1500 – $2995$700 – $1250
Temperament Score86.6 percent85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		• No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2246
    *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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog is 66 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 77 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Jack Russell Terrier, we still believe that the Bernese Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    This is because Bernese Mountain Dogs are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Bernese Mountain Dog will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Bernese Mountain Dog :-). We are for the Bernese Mountain Dog. So get a Bernese Mountain Dog!

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are most different:

  • Bernese Mountain Dogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Jack Russell Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Jack Russell Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.

    • The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier

    The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    • Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog weighs 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. The Bernese Mountain Dog is 23 to 28 inches 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 Bernese Mountain Dog versus Size of Jack Russell Terrier

    Appearance (Colors) of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dog Colors

    The Bernese Mountain Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Brindle
    • White / Cream

    The Bernese Mountain Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    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
    • Apricot / Beige

    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 Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is 8.0 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 Jack Russell Terrier lives longer than the Bernese Mountain Dog.

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog Versus the Jack Russell Terrier

    The Bernese Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 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 86.6 percent, the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 69 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Jack Russell Terrier

    The average price of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is $2390. The price of the Bernese Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2995. However, the price of a Bernese Mountain Dog can be as low as $300 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 920 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Jack Russell Terrier
    Average Price $2390 $1100
    Price Range $1500 to $2995 $700 to $1250

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bernese Mountain Dog and Jack Russell Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies or how many Jack Russell Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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.

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    The Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus the Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dog Jack Russell Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 22 out of 130 dog breeds 46 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Bernese Mountain Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 22 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Jack Russell Terriers?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Jack Russell Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Jack Russell Terriers?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs 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.

    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 Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Jack Russell Terriers?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Jack Russell Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Jack Russell Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dogs 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 Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Jack Russell Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Jack Russell Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Jack Russell Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Bernese Mountain Dog compares to other breeds aside from the Jack Russell Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog to other breeds:

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Vizsla     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Mastiff     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Dalmatian     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Newfoundland     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Leonberger     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Great Pyrenees     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Golden Retriever     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bullmastiff     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bernedoodle     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Saint Bernard     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Jack Russell Terrier better suits you and your family.