How long do Jack Russell Terriers live?

The median lifespan of the Jack Russell Terrier is 13.3 years, based on the 2024 McMillan et al. study of 584,734 UK dogs.

What health problems do Jack Russell Terriers have?

Commonly reported conditions in the Jack Russell Terrier include Patellar luxation, Primary lens luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes, Deafness, Ataxia.

Is the Jack Russell Terrier a healthy breed?

On the Breed Health Score the Jack Russell Terrier scores 81 out of 100 (grade A), compared with an average of 71 across 155 breeds.

81/ 100

Jack Russell Terrier Grade A

Median lifespani 13.3 yr · small · 5-8 kg

⇆ Compare Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small breed with a median lifespan of 13.3 years, which places it among the longest-lived third of the 155 breeds we rank for longevity. Commonly reported health conditions include Patellar luxation, Primary lens luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes, Deafness. Its overall Breed Health Score is 81/100 (grade A), against an average of 71/100 across all breeds.

Score breakdown

Longevityi 65%

Conformationi 20%

100

Hereditary burdeni 15%

Higher is healthier. See methodology.

Common & hereditary conditions

Patellar luxation Primary lens luxation Legg-Calve-Perthes Deafness Ataxia

Red marks a life-threatening or major-welfare condition. Click a condition to see which breeds it affects. This list reflects commonly reported conditions, so better-studied breeds may show more; hereditary burden is the lightest-weighted part of the score. Source: RVC VetCompass / AKC / PDSA (indicative).

Thinking of a Jack Russell Terrier? A breed's health profile affects insurance cost. Comparing pet insurance early, before any conditions become pre-existing, usually gets the best cover.

Compare with similar-size breeds

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Data & citation. Median lifespan: McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. Source. Machine-readable: developer API. These are independent estimates for comparing breeds, not veterinary advice. Photo: Alessandro Ceracchi via Pexels.