I would agree- they're very different dogs.
I would describe Beagles as affable companions (though they do have a tendency to resource guard, as was stated above) that can be a little thickheaded. They do also have a tendency to follow their nose and their hound dog braying/bark can be considered annoying by a lot of people. They definitely enjoy the outdoors and while I wouldn't describe the breed as needing a lot of exercise (ie, 2 30min walks would probably be fine per day), they will certainly be happy to accompany you on walks in nature or in a city. They aren't a breed you'll have to go way out of your way to exercise enough. They are very food motivated and some are faster learners than others- patience will get you far with them and I personally really like their approach to training (which is pretty much please give me that food I'll do anything you want).
I would describe Jack Russels as tiny Aussie Cattle Dogs more than Border Collies. Tenacious, often verging on reactive, energetic, VERY smart, and often a breed that will become destructive because of improper exercise and mental stimulation. IMO they are only a breed to consider if you really, really enjoy training. The only Jack Russels I've ever come across (whether IRL or on the internet) that seem like dogs I'd like to hang out with are ones whose owners work very hard on trick training and/or in dog sports like agility. Unless you are a regular jogger, they are a breed that you will likely have to go out of your way to provide with enough exercise. They have a much "harder" intensity about training than Beagles do, IMO- whereas Beagles often give me the impression they're working for a reward, JRT seem to enjoy puzzles and training for the challenge of it. Where Jack Russels have an extreme intensity (albeit often a cheerful one), Beagles are just downright cheerful and silly dogs.
Both breeds can have pretty intense prey drive but IMO they aren't quite the same- the Terrier is going to figure out a way to get a kid's hamster if it really wants it, the Beagle is just best not let alone with it in easy reach. I have heard many stories of JRT's going out of their way to kill small animals/pets, but I know a family who regularly had small pets- mostly hamsters- whose cages were kept on the floor that he liked to watch but never actually tried to get at. Both are likely to want to chase small things, though the JRT is much more likely to finish the job and bring you small offerings of birds and rodents, whether because it has more drive to kill or just because they're better at catching.
Overall I would consider Beagles a much more laid back, easy family companion than a JRT. If you only want to go through basic obedience commands, aren't specifically looking for a jogging companion and don't have a hankering to dive into agility I would think a Beagle would be a more fun choice. If you really like training with your dog, like the idea of a jogging companion and don't mind the possibility of reactivity, JRT do seem like pretty fun dogs.
To give you an idea of how I would rate the two breeds:
I would personally never get a JRT without a training goal, the same way I would never get a Border Collie, Cattle Dog, Kelpie, or Working line GSD unless I wanted that energy for a specific purpose- either Agility, Rally or advanced trick training. On the other hand, Beagles are on my short list of breeds I might want to get while my eventual children are young for them to grow up with, along with Bloodhounds, Labs, Goldens and Boston Terriers.
I would describe Beagles as affable companions (though they do have a tendency to resource guard, as was stated above) that can be a little thickheaded. They do also have a tendency to follow their nose and their hound dog braying/bark can be considered annoying by a lot of people. They definitely enjoy the outdoors and while I wouldn't describe the breed as needing a lot of exercise (ie, 2 30min walks would probably be fine per day), they will certainly be happy to accompany you on walks in nature or in a city. They aren't a breed you'll have to go way out of your way to exercise enough. They are very food motivated and some are faster learners than others- patience will get you far with them and I personally really like their approach to training (which is pretty much please give me that food I'll do anything you want).
I would describe Jack Russels as tiny Aussie Cattle Dogs more than Border Collies. Tenacious, often verging on reactive, energetic, VERY smart, and often a breed that will become destructive because of improper exercise and mental stimulation. IMO they are only a breed to consider if you really, really enjoy training. The only Jack Russels I've ever come across (whether IRL or on the internet) that seem like dogs I'd like to hang out with are ones whose owners work very hard on trick training and/or in dog sports like agility. Unless you are a regular jogger, they are a breed that you will likely have to go out of your way to provide with enough exercise. They have a much "harder" intensity about training than Beagles do, IMO- whereas Beagles often give me the impression they're working for a reward, JRT seem to enjoy puzzles and training for the challenge of it. Where Jack Russels have an extreme intensity (albeit often a cheerful one), Beagles are just downright cheerful and silly dogs.
Both breeds can have pretty intense prey drive but IMO they aren't quite the same- the Terrier is going to figure out a way to get a kid's hamster if it really wants it, the Beagle is just best not let alone with it in easy reach. I have heard many stories of JRT's going out of their way to kill small animals/pets, but I know a family who regularly had small pets- mostly hamsters- whose cages were kept on the floor that he liked to watch but never actually tried to get at. Both are likely to want to chase small things, though the JRT is much more likely to finish the job and bring you small offerings of birds and rodents, whether because it has more drive to kill or just because they're better at catching.
Overall I would consider Beagles a much more laid back, easy family companion than a JRT. If you only want to go through basic obedience commands, aren't specifically looking for a jogging companion and don't have a hankering to dive into agility I would think a Beagle would be a more fun choice. If you really like training with your dog, like the idea of a jogging companion and don't mind the possibility of reactivity, JRT do seem like pretty fun dogs.
To give you an idea of how I would rate the two breeds:
I would personally never get a JRT without a training goal, the same way I would never get a Border Collie, Cattle Dog, Kelpie, or Working line GSD unless I wanted that energy for a specific purpose- either Agility, Rally or advanced trick training. On the other hand, Beagles are on my short list of breeds I might want to get while my eventual children are young for them to grow up with, along with Bloodhounds, Labs, Goldens and Boston Terriers.
