The Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix – Full Dog Breed Info

The Chihuahua and Jack Russell Terrier produces a mixed dog breed called the Jackahuahua or the Jackhuahua. It can also be called a Jack Chihuahua or a Jack chi for short but it is popularly known as the Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix.

The Jack Chihuahuas are mixed breeds containing DNA from the Jack Russell Terrier and the Chihuahua. This hybrid has inherited some of the best traits from both of their parent breeds.

Jack Chihuahuas are suitable for apartment living because they are relatively quiet dogs. They also tolerate being home alone and as such is suitable for long hours working-class owners.

History

The Jack chis were created from pure breeds and were developed in the United States of America. It is not quite known when they were first developed but it was suggested that they were first developed some decades ago.

However, there is not much information regarding the origin of this mixed breed, though it is believed that they were discovered around the 1980s and the 1990s. They were first registered by the international designer canine registry in 2009, but the history of their parent breeds can be explained in mild details and so their history can be traced back to them.

Jack Russell Terriers were first discovered in the 1800s in the United Kingdom, they were originally bred to be used as hunting dogs but over time they became more of family pets.

Chihuahua’s history is kind of vague also as they are extremely old. They’ve been around for such a long time that no one can exactly pinpoint their exact origin. However, the chihuahua as we know today was discovered in Chihuahua, Mexico, and named after it.

So the Chihuahua Jack russel mix have historical roots from both Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Appearance And Size

The Chihuahua Jack Russell mix is a small to medium-sized dog. They have long muscular bodies, short necks, and triangular heads. Their eyes are rounded like that of their parent breed the Chihuahuas. However, they can have floppy ears like the Jack Russel or a pointy one like the chihuahua.

They also possess long and slightly slimmer snout than that of the Jack Russell Terrier. They have short legs, sturdy and brawny hindquarters while their tail is long and curled.

Jack Russell chihuahua mix have straight texture coats with dense and medium coats. The colors of their coats can vary from fawn colors to gold, to chocolate colors, cream, black and white colors. Most of their coat colors usually come in combination.

The coats also come in two main variants which are smooth and rough coats, though both of them are extremely easy to groom.

The Chihuahua Jack Russell mix measure about 12 to 15 inches in length and about 8 to 18 pounds in weight. Just as most dog breeds their females actually measure smaller than their males though the difference is hardly noticeable.

Grooming

Jack Chihuahuas are not very difficult to groom, their short hair makes it easier for them to be groomed. Nevertheless, they should still be brushed weekly to reduce shedding.

They should be bathed only when absolutely necessary are they are easily susceptible to cold. Their nails should be trimmed when necessary and their ears should be cleaned regularly. Brush your dog’s teeth daily with recommended dog toothpaste to avoid dental issues.

Chihuahua Jack Russell mix also inherited the Chihuahua side that is not too fond of cold weather, so it is important to dress them accordingly.

Temperament

Chihuahua Jack Russell mix inherited very good temperament traits from their respective parent breeds. They are fun-loving, friendly, active, and intelligent creatures.

It is also very important to properly socialize and train them as pups so that they develop good relationship skills with people and other animals.

They also tolerate being left alone well as they do not need to always be around people, they like to behave like leaders and it might be a little challenging to control them.

They are known to be chewers whenever they get bored. So here’s a piece of advice; buy lots of chew toys to keep to them entertained. The jack chi loves lots of attention and cuddles and is also known to be quite hyperactive and nervous at times.

The Chihuahua Jack Russell mix is better suited to adult-only homes or homes with mature children. They do not tolerate rough handling and can get really snappy.

They also inherited a bit of the stubborn nature of their parent breeds. This can make training a bit difficult though with patience you’ll get there.

Health

These dog breeds are known to be quite hale and hearty as they have a lifespan of about 13 to 15 years. Though they can be susceptible to health issues that are similar to that of their parent breeds. Some of the known health issues that can affect Jack russell Chihuahua mix are:

Glaucoma which is a condition that causes pressure in the eye resulting in inadequate fluid drainage that leads to loss of vision and eventually blindness.

Patellar luxation, another condition that affects Chihuahua Jack Russell mix which causes their kneecaps to become dislocated. It is an inherited trait that can be seen when the pup is between 3 to 4 months of age.

Dental overcrowding is a situation where their teeth outgrow their mouths causing them to rub against each other. This can result in worn-out enamels.

Tracheal Collapse makes it extremely difficult for air to get to the lungs. It occurs when the rings of cartilage lose some rigidity causing the tracheal rings to flatten during inhalation.

This chronic disease is Irreversible, though the condition can be treated with cough suppressants and antibiotics to reduce inflammation and other symptoms.

Heart problems can cause them to have heart failures.

Hypoglycemia is a condition that results from a low blood sugar that can lead to tremors and coma. Some signs of hypoglycemia are shaking, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, muscle twitching, and many more.

Other health issues that might likely affect Chihuahua Jack Russell mix are Skin allergies, Skin itching, obesity, fleas, food allergies, ear infections, and deafness.

Training And Exercise

Chihuahua Jack Russell mix is a highly energetic and active dog just like their parent breeds. They require at least one hour of exercise every day to stay fit and healthy.

Training is also very important to ensure that they become well-rounded pets. They are very intelligent but they are independent thinkers and as such require experienced or professional training.

They also need a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of walking daily, preferably twice per day. Their stubborn nature also requires them to be on a leash when in open spaces. This will also stop them from trying to prey on smaller animals as their hunting instincts are still inherent.

Due to their sizes, they can cope with apartment living conditions and taking walks around the block. Though they should be challenged with some mental stimulations to keep their mind active.

They respond best to positive reinforcement and treat based training, thanks to their love of food. This method has turned out to be the best for training Jack Chihuahuas.

Food And Diet

Chihuahua Jack Russell mix are prone to weight gain and obesity, so it is important that their food intake is measured. Healthy dog treats should be implored when trying to get them to do something.

They will most likely need around 40 calories per pound of body weight per day. If your Chihuahua Jack Russell mix weighs about 14 pounds then he will need around 560 calories per day.

It is also important to ensure that their food contains the nutritional requirements needed to ensure proper growth and development.

During shopping, one should check the food labels for the ingredients listed there. It is important to note that the first ingredients are usually the highest contents in the dog meal, they should be meat sources.

Their required dietary requirements are about 18% proteins and 5% fat. Your dog may sometimes be a fussy and picky eater but he’ll be are generally happy to eat whatever he’s being fed.

Their dietary requirements will also change from their puppyhood to adulthood and will keep changing well into their elderly years. So it is important to ask for recommendations from a registered veterinarian about their diet.

Can You Handle A Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix?

Some reasons to house a Jack Chihuahua and keep them as pets are:

1. The chihuahua jack Russel mix is easy to groom as they do not shed like other dog breeds. Brushing their coat about once a week will actually do the trick. Of course, the other areas of grooming are that easy as well.

2. They are fun-loving energetic and cute dogs. They get along well with other animals and children as long as they have been properly socialized and trained as a pup.

3. They are actually very loyal and dedicated dogs.

Buying A Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix

Jack Chihuahuas are hybrid breeds and as such may be more expensive to buy than other breeds. Their prices can vary dramatically anywhere from $150 to $15,000 depending on their parent breeds quality or their physical appearances.

Chihuahua Jack Russell mix can be bought from registered dog breeders. Alternatively, you can adopte from Chihuahua or Jack Russell Terrier rescue centers as they often care for cross breeds as well.

Some rescue centers and places to get Jack Chihuahuas are; Dog Time’s adoption page, Chihuahua Rescue and Transport, and Jocks Galore.

Summary

Chihuahua Jack Russell mix are hybrids that are full of energy and have a  charming personality. They were first registered as a breed by the international designer canine registry in 2009 and since then these designer dogs have gone on to gain more recognitions locally and internationally.

They are recognized by not only the American Canine Hybrid Club but also the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, International Designer Canine Registry, the Dog Registry Of America Inc as well and they are mostly recognized by the name Jack chis.

These adorable pets make for great lap dogs and companions.