Skye Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison

Skye Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed ComparisonIrish Jack Russell is originated from United States but Skye Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Irish Jack Russell may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Skye Terrier. Irish Jack Russell may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Skye Terrier. Both Irish Jack Russell and Skye Terrier has almost same life span. Irish Jack Russell may have more litter size than Skye Terrier. Irish Jack Russell requires Low Maintenance. But Skye Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
undefined
United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Irish Jack Russell, Shorty Jack Russells
Skye
Colors Available:
tan, brindle, White coat with orange
shades of grey, Fawn
Coat:
Short or long - coarse
Long, straight, hard topcoat
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

irish jack russellOriginating in the United States of America, the Irish Jack Russell, also known as Short Jack Russells, was bred to bring about a calmer temperament and to also have a dog with shorter legs.

Always a working dog, breeders of the Irish Jack Russell wanted to create a dog with less of a hunting instinct in him and have a dog which would be more companionable.

These Irish Jack Russells look much like your regular Jack Russell but are more of a companion dog than a hunting dog. The Irish Jack Russell doesn’t adhere to any existing Jack Russell breed standard and isn't really recognized at major dog clubs and kennels. The truth of the whole matter is that there are different kinds of Jack Russells and different names given to them to differentiate between the taller Jack Russell and the short legged one. The shorter Jack Russell Terriers are known by many names such as Irish Jack Russell and Shorty Jack Russells.

skye terrierThe Skye Terrier is a hardy dog breed and is actually considered to be an endangered native dog breed in the United Kingdom.

They were found on the Isle of Skye, although there is some confusion about its history. They were used long ago to hunt but these days they are essentially companion dogs.

They found their way to America and the Skye Terrier Club of America was founded in 1938. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1887.

Description

irish jack russell puppy - descriptionIrish Jack Russells are small dogs standing at roughly 18 to 35cm and weighing in the region of 5 to 8kg for both males and females.

He looks much like your regular Jack Russell but he has shorter legs, and where the regular Jack Russell has an essentially white coat with orange-tan patches, the Irish Jack Russell can be solid tan or other color variations such as red, brindle, black and tan.

The coat can be short or fairly long and coarse. The Irish Jack Russell is a sturdy, compact dog with a flat skull, brown eyes and ears which are semi-erect, semi-floppy. He has a bright, alert, intelligent look on his face. The tail is set fairly high and has always been docked but these days it is inclined to be left long, taking away from the dog’s nice compact look.

Temperament:

The Irish Jack Russell is perhaps more placid than the regular Jack Russell and that is why he can adapt to life in the city or in the country. They’re intelligent dogs and therefore easy to train and have socialized.

Even though he is a small dog, training and socialization is important as he is a feisty, stubborn, know-it-all little dog. These are dogs which can become possessive of their owner and they can become quite aggressive when protecting their family. He is a highly trainable dog but it is important to have him trained as he tends to be aggressive with other dogs.

He is busy, active, happy and inquisitive and will require regular exercise to prevent him becoming restless and destructive. He has been a working terrier and he always wants to be busy.

skye terrier puppy - descriptionThe Skye Terrier is a medium-sized dog standing at between 23 and 26cm in height and weighing between 12 and 18kg. The legs are short and sturdy. He is double coated with the top coat being straight and hard and forming a beard around the face area. The coat can be fawn, and in various shades of grey which are sometimes even black. The ears of the dog are medium sized and erect.

Temperament:

The Skye Terrier has always been a hunting dog and he enjoys quite a bit of exercise – walks, ball games as well as indoor games. Small though he may be, he is strong willed with a mind of his own and will benefit from being trained and socialized.

This is also necessary as he has a fairly reserved nature. He gets on well with children and makes an excellent family pet but he is ready to take on smaller pets in the home. He will bark when confronting strangers and makes an excellent watchdog too.

He is able to adapt well into life in the city or the countryside. He isn’t a dog to be left outside day after day and will just die of boredom, frustration and loneliness.

Characteristics

irish jack russell dog - characteristicsThe Irish Jack Russell is a self-confident, energetic dog who will like nothing more than to be involved with everything you’re doing. The busier he is the better, and because he has strong hunting instincts you may find him digging in your garden for rats.

Have him trained and socialized if you want to avoid certain problems with him and remember to exercise him and provide him with the attention he craves.

He is a social dog and will pine away if you just leave him to get by on his own. Make sure that he becomes every bit as part of your family as everyone else and he promises to make you a loyal, devoted companion.

skye terrier dog - characteristicsGive the Skye Terrier the attention he wants and he will reward you with his loving companionship.

He loves the entire family but is best suited to homes where children have been taught to be kind to animals and to treat them with respect.

He has moderate energy levels and will expect you to give him a fair amount of exercise. The Skye Terrier can make an excellent companion for you and your family.

Health Problems

irish jack russell puppies - health problemsYour Irish Jack Russell is a dog that doesn’t battle with too many health issues, but nonetheless you still need to watch out for common health problems.

Jack Russell terriers are generally a healthy breed that can live up to 14 years of age, but still every dog is prone to the more common dog problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections and dental disease among others.

If your Irish Jack Russell is in pain, he is lethargic and sick, don’t delay – take him to the vet right away.

skye terrier puppies - health problemsThe Skye Terrier is a healthy dog breed. Perhaps the only issue that could be a problem with him is orthopedic problems. He is an achondroplastic dog, meaning a large body on small legs.

He could develop spinal problems if he were allowed to constantly be jumping off beds and high chairs.

Orthopedic problems affect the bones, muscles and joints and can actually be debilitating. Orthopedic conditions can be ligament tears or hip dysplasia for instance, accompanied by arthritis.

You’ll notice your dog has an abnormal way of walking or running, inability to get up once lying down and he may have arthritis and pain.Be careful because obesity can trigger problems with the joints and bones.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish jack russell dogs - caringThe Irish Jack Russell is an average shedder with his short or longish coat which is easy to groom, requiring a brush once or twice a week. His nails grow quickly too and they can get caught on something and cause him damage. Trim your pet’s nails to prevent this.

Diet:

Feed your Irish Jack Russell good quality dog food each day. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, be certain to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.

He is a small dog, and overfeeding can be just as bad as under-feeding. It’s never a good idea to just go on and on feeding your pet dry or wet kibble day after day. Add in some cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables as a treat and to also provide some variety for him.

Also a little bit of raw meat occasionally can do him the world of good and you’ll see the appreciation in his bright eyes and wagging tail.

skye terrier dogs - caring● The coat of the Skye Terrier is long and silky and will most certainly require brushing every day if you keep the hair long. Such silky hair can easily become matted.

● Little dogs like this will need their teeth being checked regularly. You can even try to buy special pet toothpaste and toothbrush and brush his teeth yourself. If you prefer, a professional dog groomer can do this for you and at the same time trim his nails and check his ears and clean the insides of the ears too to avoid infection.

● Provide him with his own warm, dry place to sleep.

● Don’t ignore his exercise needs. A dog without exercise will get sick.

● Provide him with top quality food as the quality of the dog food you buy makes a huge difference to his health and longevity. He is a small dog and there are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods specially made for small, energetic dogs.

Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

● Have him neutered or spayed if you aren’t wanting puppies.

● Keep his vaccines up to date against some deadly canine diseases, and get him to the vet when he shows signs of illness.

● He isn't a large dog but will still need to be trained and socialized.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Jack Russell vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Jack Russell vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Irish Jack Russell vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Irish Jack Russell vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Irish Jack Russell vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Jack Russell vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Jack Russell vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Jack Russell vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Jack Russell vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Jack Russell vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Jack Russell vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Jack Russell vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Jack Russell vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Jack Russell vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Jack Russell vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Jack Russell vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Jack Russell vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Jack Russell vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Jack Russell vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Jack Russell vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Jack Russell vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Jack Russell vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Irish Jack Russell vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Irish Jack Russell vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Irish Jack Russell vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Skye Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Skye Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Skye Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Skye Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Skye Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Skye Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Skye Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Skye Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Skye Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Skye Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Skye Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Skye Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Skye Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Skye Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Skye Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Skye Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Skye Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Skye Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Skye Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Skye Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Skye Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Skye Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Skye Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Skye Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Skye Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison