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Adopting a dog is daunting for most starting dog owners like you.
And the process begins with picking the right breed.
Now, I hear you. There’s a lot of you out there who lead an active life!
You might be someone who treats exercise as your passion and sees the value of physical activities.
And you want your dog to be as active as you.
So, allow me to suggest a crossbreed companion that suits your lifestyle.
For this blog, I want to talk about everything there is to know about the Chihuahua Jack Russell mix.
Specifically, we’ll talk about:
- the Jack Chi History
- their Physical Features
- Care and Needs
- and Temperament and Personality
So, are you ready to learn more about the Jack Chi?
Then, without further ado, let’s start!
Jack Chi History
The Jack Chi dog breed is one of the earliest developed designer breeds in the United States.
They were bred in the 80s and 90s to answer the need for dog breeds that would do well in house setups.
Jack Russell, a popular terrier breed, was crossbred with Chihuahua, a toy dog, to help tone down its strong hunting instincts.
Like many designer dog breeds, there’s only little information surrounding Jack Chi dogs because of their newness.
Its parent breeds, however, have rich historical backgrounds that are worth exploring.
So let’s take a quick look at the history of Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahua breeds.
Coming from England, the Jack Russell Terriers are descendants of an ancient foxhunting breed.
They were named after John “Jack” Russell who was a parson, foxhunter, and devoted dog breeder.
Reverend Russell was set on designing a breed that’s athletic, intelligent, and has a high prey drive.
When he created the breed in the 1800s, it had the necessary traits to go after burrowing fox games.
Soon, Jack Russell Terriers became popular amongst the hunters and the fame eventually reached the United States.
The Chihuahua breed, however, is a small descendant of a now-extinct breed in Mexico, the Techichi.
It was the Aztecs that refined the breed to make it smaller and lessen its preying instinct.
Because of colonization, Chihuahuas were driven to near extinction until the Americans rediscovered the breed.
They were then imported into the United States where it rose to fame for its household temperament.
Jack Chi Physical Trait
Being a crossbreed between two proud parent breeds, the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix can be a bold figure in your house.
Here are some facts about Jack Chi’s physique. Get to know about its physical traits below!
Weight and Height
Jack Chi dogs are relatively new designer dog breeds.
Since breed traits are yet to be standardized, their height and weight can vary to a large degree.
But the typical Jack Chi size falls in the small to medium category.
The Jack Chi breed has a height ranging from 12 to 15 inches.
These dogs can weigh between 8 to 18 pounds.
Comparing the size to its purebred parents, Jack Chi’s body size is larger than Chihuahuas which can only reach a height of 8 inches.
And they’re closer to Jack Russell in terms of body size!
Fur Coat
Jack Chi breeds have a wide range of fur coat colors because of the variation of fur colors that the Chihuahua parent brings.
Their furs come in either a solid consistent fur color or mixed fur colors of two or three.
Some of Jack Chi’s most prominent colors are:
- Black
- Chocolate
- Fawn
- Golden
- Cream
- White
As for its fur type, you can expect that this Jack Russell Chihuahua mix has a short to medium-dense coat.
Distinct Features
Jack Chi can get its distinct look from either parent breeds.
It all just depends on how strong or weak the influence of the parent genes is on this crossbreed's traits.
So what are the distinct features that have resulted from the crossbreeding between a Chihuahua and a Jack Russell?
Well, firstly, Jack Chi dogs will have a more muscular and longer body than Chihuahua.
But the large saucer-sized eyes of Chihuahuas will remain.
So is its triangular-shaped head.
The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix breed will either have pointy or folded ears, depending again on which parent trait is stronger.
Jack Chi Temperament
Now, let’s talk about Jack Chi's temperament and personality.
Jack Chi dogs are awesome companions inside your home because they love human interactions.
Because of their lesser preying instincts, they’ll now do well as pets even for a family with small children.
But take note that Jack Chi dogs are not entirely clingy breeds.
Some Jack Russell Chihuahua mix breeds can get the Jack Russell’s independent trait.
So, separation anxiety isn't an issue for Jack Chi.
What you need to look out for is its destructive behavior when it's bored.
Jack Chi dogs are curious creatures with an active spirit.
You best expect this crossbreed will require you to engage and stimulate its mind.
Does Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix Bark a Lot?
Oh yes, the Jack Chi breed are known barkers.
Both of its parent breeds are notorious for being bold and loyal yappers.
Even when these dogs are generally friendly towards their family, they are vigilant to strangers and new faces.
Living with a Jack Chi
When it comes to living with a Jack Chi, size does matter.
This breed likes to work its legs out, so you can expect it to have its daily routine of galloping around the house.
For that, it needs large spaces to accommodate its activities.
A grassy lawn in your house will do just that.
What’s more, is that the Jack Chi breed is also a curious fella.
They tend to wander around wherever their senses take them.
I recommend fencing your yard to prevent your dogs from drifting too far.
You also may want to take your Jack Chi dog on field trips like hiking trails or mountain trekking.
They just love the forest scenery!
These activities will stimulate what little hunting senses Jack Chi still has.
Note that Jack Chi dogs don’t do well in extremely hot weather.
While their furs are straight and dense, it’s not enough to deal with the harshness of its weather.
Are Jack Chi Good Apartment Pets?
If you thought you could keep them in small living spaces, then you’ve grossly underestimated them.
Jack Chi is not a great apartment pet because of its lively lifestyle.
With an active mind and body, these dogs would feel constricted inside your living quarters.
Some Jack Chi breeds, however, are more adaptable than others.
So, taking your dog to a park might be enough for them.
RELATED: Best Mixed Breed Dogs for Apartments
Jack Chi Health
Are Jack Chi healthy breeds?
You may not believe it, but Jack Chi dogs are a healthy breed choice!
Of course, that depends on how much care and attention you give to them.
It's entirely up to you to provide the right environment for your breed.
One that nurtures them even as they grow old.
So here is some health-related information that you need to know about Jack Chi dogs.
RELATED: Are Mixed Breeds Healthy?
Lifespan
A Jack Chi dog can live up to 15 years.
That is quite a long lifespan even for purebreds!
One reason for its longevity is that its parent breed, the Chihuahua, has the longest lifespan among the purebreds.
Health Problems
Jack Chi dogs are also prone to hereditary diseases.
Most of these hereditary diseases are the same illnesses their parent breeds suffered.
The four most common hereditary diseases they might get are: patellar luxation, Perthes disease, collapsed trachea, and hypoglycemia.
Patellar Luxation on Jack Russell Chihuahua mix:
- Is a health condition where the patella dislocates out of the femur
- Can cause your dog to limp or hop while walking
- Has different levels or grades depending on its severity
- Is curable and has treatments that correspond to the grade of the condition
Consult your vet to know the right treatment for your dog's luxation.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease for Jack Russell Chihuahua mix:
- Is the deterioration and death of the ball of the femur bone that causes lameness in small-breed dogs
- Happens when there’s an interruption of blood supply to the femur bone
- Is curable, but requires expensive surgeries or even hip replacement as a treatment for the condition
Collapsed Trachea for Jack Chi breeds:
- Is a medical condition where the trachea’s cartilage degenerates and shrinks inward
- Leads to symptoms like coughing, wheezy breathing, and difficulty in breathing
- Is prominent in small-dog breeds and crossbreds
Tracheal Collapse is incurable, but there are treatments like surgical stents to make the dog’s breathing easier.
Cough suppressants, sedatives, and anti-inflammation drugs are also the other common means to treat the symptoms.
Hypoglycemia in dogs:
- Is a condition where the dog’s blood sugar falls significantly below the normal level
- Is caused by high levels of insulin, metabolism, or low conversion of glucose in foods
- Has the symptoms of lack of appetite, lethargy and paleness
Hypoglycemia is usually treated through dextrose and adding high amounts of sugar to the dog’s diet.
Nutrition
If you want a healthy Jack Chi breed, you want to make sure their diet is done right.
And you can start with the amount of food you'll feed to it.
Since the food should be proportioned to its size, you should only feed your Jack Chi 1 to 2 cups of dog food every day.
Feeding your dog more than it needs makes this Jack Russell Chihuahua mix obese and sickly.
Commercial dog foods work wonders for this breed too.
They are often formulated to make every meal nutritious, balanced, and consistent.
Just make sure to give your Jack Chi dry dog food because they are susceptible to dental issues too.
Alternatively, a homemade diet also works for these breeds only if you consult with a veterinarian first.
Jack Chi Grooming
There’s little work needed to groom and maintain the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix breed.
But even if that might be the case, that’s not an excuse to neglect your Jack Chi’s grooming needs.
Always treat grooming as a hygiene that your dog needs.
With that, here are some grooming practices to keep the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix clean and neat-looking.
RELATED: Grooming Different Types of Dog Coats
Brushing Fur
Brushing the fur is extremely important to dogs.
And that applies to the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix breed too!
But the question is, how frequently should you brush your dog’s fur?
Well, it depends on how much your dog sheds.
Fortunately for you, the Jack Chi breed only sheds moderately throughout the day.
Use a pin brush to detangle and catch the loose fur from your dog’s dense coat.
Do this every other day to control the fur it will shed.
RELATED: Dog Shedding Tools: Tips on Choosing the Best Dog Brush
Bath Time
Jack Chi dogs don’t need daily bath sessions. Here’s why.
Dogs naturally secrete sebum and oil to make their skin and fur healthy and shiny.
Frequent bathing of your Jack Chi dogs removes that healthy oil, making the skin dry and irritated.
But Dan, if I shouldn’t bathe my dog every day, how often should I do it then?
I recommend bathing this Jack Russell Chihuahua mix breed every two weeks.
A regular bathing schedule should still be in place as this breed can still get dirty, oily, and stinky after some time.
You can also bathe your dog during extremely hot days to keep its fur hydrated.
Plus, a refreshing bath is always a delight to have during scorching weather.
RELATED: How To Give A Dog A Bath
Sunscreen
As I’ve mentioned, Jack Chi dogs don’t do well under harsh hot weather.
Exposure to these conditions can cause a myriad of skin irritations and sunburns to their delicate skin.
But really, do you think these risks can stop an eager breed like a Jack Chi breed from going outside?
So, if you find yourself in this same situation, make sure that there are plenty of shades for your dog to rest.
Always prepare cold and crisp water for your dog to drink and rehydrate itself with.
Additionally, applying sunscreen on your dog adds another layer of protection against the effects of the scorching heat of the sun.
RELATED: How Hot Is Too Hot for A Dog?
Jack Chi Exercise
The Jack Russell-Chihuahua mix may be small, but it has a large stamina reserve at its disposal!
Jack Chi dogs are energetic crossbreeds that crave physical activities.
An hour or two would do to tire their excess energy.
You can also opt for physical activities that require some training or following a command sequence first.
In this way, not only you are exercising your dog, but you are also mentally stimulating them.
Some of the activities that fit that description are dog agility, tag, and fetch
RELATED: 7 Ways to Turn Daily Activities Into Exercise for Your Dog
Dog Agility
Dog agility is a sport where your dog needs to go through an obstacle course and finish it.
Like other nimble dog breeds, a dog agility course would better fit their exercise needs.
Since your dog is in a time scramble, it needs to be agile, precise, and responsive to commands to be able to finish the course.
The activity is fast-paced, vigorous, and command-based, all ticking the descriptions needed for your Jack Chi’s activity.
RELATED: Top 15 Best Dog Agility Equipment Kits of 2023
Play Tag
If you want a physical activity that can offer better bond time with your Jack Chi pet, consider playing chase tag with them.
As the name implies, chase tag is where your dog plays the “it” part and starts chasing you.
Like dog agility, the chase tag game is intense and allows your dog to stretch those leg limbs.
Finally, the activity is also command-based and stimulates Jack Chi’s prey-chasing instincts.
Fetch
Another physical activity that deepens the dog-owner bond while exercising them is Fetch.
Fetch is where you throw an object at a distance while you let your dog pick it up for you.
This activity is a great way to bond with your Jack Chi because of the back-and-forth interaction between you and your dog.
You don’t need to worry if it counts as an exercise for your dog either!
Since your dog is constantly rushing to pick and bring the object, all the running around serves as a lively exercise for it.
RELATED: How To Train A Dog To Fetch: An Easy-To-Follow Video Guide
Jack Chi Training
Prepare your patience because when it comes to training Jack Chi dogs, they can be difficult to handle during training.
Jack Chi dogs are independent creatures, so it’ll be difficult for you to make them respond to your commands.
These dogs also tend to dominate and boss around.
At most times they’ll think they’re the leader and would be stubborn to listen to you.
That’s why you should be assertive when giving out commands to them.
Additionally, you can incentivize them to obey you through positive reinforcements like praises, pats, or treats.
Some training types that I recommend for this breed are:
Are Jack Chis Rare?
It’s rare to come across a Jack Chi dog, considering they are crossbreeds.
But even with their rarity, you’ll find a lot of this breed in dog shelters and rescue centers.
Additionally, you may want to reach out to reputable breeders of either a Jack Russell Terrier or a Chihuahua.
Who knows, you might find a healthy crossbreed from them!
Jack Chi: Should You Adopt One?
Active and confident, the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix breed is a nimble companion to have in the house.
Even with their aloof episodes, these dogs are still friendly to familiar faces.
Just take note that their aloofness can give you a hard time when you start training them!
And if you can’t keep up with their energetic lifestyle every day, then perhaps this breed is not for you.
But what do you think?
Do you think Jack Chi dog can fit snuggly inside your routine?
If your answer is yes, then you should adopt one for yourself!
Alternatively, if you don’t think the Jack Chi breed is for you, feel free to check out these breed profiles of other dogs instead.
