Jack Russell & Chihuahua Mix: All About Jack Chi

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Scott is a professional blogger with 12+ years of experience in writing, and holds an MA in anthropology. He has two cats as housemates. Also, Scott is passionate to research on pet-related topics such as dog training, puppy feeding, and cat health.

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Updated on: 12/13/2022

Jack Chi dogs are a mix of the Jack Russell and Chihuahua breeds. They are considered a small hybrid designer breed that’s very loyal and affectionate. They have high energy, range in size from 8 to 18 pounds, and grow roughly 15 inches tall. Even though they are quiet, small dogs can have some notable personalities, and they can be great as watchdogs and loyal lapdogs. The advantage of such a small breed is that they thrive in apartment buildings and can have an excellent temperament for living with older adults and kids. If you’ve ever been curious about what this breed is like to have as a pet, we’ll dive in a little further on Jack Chi dogs and what you can expect as an owner of jack chi puppies.

Photo by @lifeonwhite from Freepik

Size	10-15 inches
Weight	7-18 lbs
Lifespan	13-15 years
Coat	Short and dense in white, black, cream, and gold
Temperament	Energetic, loyal, loving
Activity	Medium energy needs at least 30-60 min of activity a day
Good with kids?	Good with older children but not younger kids
Good with other pets?	With proper social training at a young age

Breed Origin History

This breed is considered a hybrid, like many other types of cross-bred dogs. Although they are considered to be primarily a new breed, they originated in the United States at some point in the 1980s. During the late 80s, many breeders started experimenting with creating their own designer breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua were considered some of the most desirable species in the United States.

Jack Russell Terriers were developing England for foxhunting back in the 1800s. Jack Russells were derived from the posterior group, which is known for its tiny legs and chest as well as a highly compact body. The breed was revered for its ability to get into foxholes and move around underground. They were used primarily for controlling vermin and were agile enough to catch Foxes easily. Jack Russell Terriers were once a hybrid breed derived from two types of terriers to produce a more compact and nimble hunting dog.

Chihuahuas have a history as breeds in North and South America and much of their lineage date back to an ancient Columbian civilization related to the Aztecs. The original name was the Techichi breed, and the original version of their breed was more extensive and designed for domestication amongst the Toltec peoples of Columbia. The Chihuahua breed was brought into America in the middle of the 1800s.

Both breeds have their own charming personality, and they’re known for having a very confident walk. The mix of both breeds makes for a dog. It carries all of the complementary personality traits of both and is a small and cute compact size.

Appearance:

Jack Chi puppies can often resemble something closer to a Chihuahua, but as they continue to grow, it is easy to start seeing the features of both breeds. Full-grown versions of the Jack Chi breed are best known for having a very short-haired and dense coat that can come in different colors, including chocolate, cream, fawn, brown and more. There have been occasions where their coat can have two colors, including a black to brown, black and light brown, or black and tan style coat pattern. On some infrequent occasions, you may also find completely pure white Jack Chi dogs.

The Jack Chi had a different body type from the Jack Russell and a stretcher to have extremely long and muscular bodies with powerful legs and hindquarters as well as a shorter style neck. They don’t often adopt a terrier’s longer snout, but they have a nose that is between the Chihuahua and the thin snout pattern of the Jack Russell.

The ear style can also vary between dogs as they grow. Some can adopt the look of the adult Chihuahua with completely pointed-up ears, whereas others will be folded over. The tail will also curl over like a Chihuahua but can vary from an adult as they grow.

Interesting Facts:

Although they have a short coat, they can carry a decent amount of dandruff and still shed, making them not a hypoallergenic breed.
If you live in a colder climate, many Jack Chi’s prefer to have sweaters in the winter for walking.
They are also called the jackawawa or jackhuahua
They can be vocal, but they are rarely aggressive
They can be used for hunting when they inherit their prey drive from Jack Russells.
They are easily distracted and can get separation anxiety.

Personality

The chihuahua Jack Russell mix personality is an excellent mix between a Chihuahua and a Jack Russell. A very small dog is often quite playful and has high energy, but they’re also very content to be in small spaces like apartments. They are generally a very curious breed, and they can be extremely friendly.

The Jack Chi breed is excellent with kids and can be good with older adults. They often greet you at the door with a wagging tail and are eager to greet new guests as well. The Russell chihuahua mix like to get out and run when possible, so going down to a local park can be an excellent way for them to blow off some of their energy. They also make some excellent lapdogs when they receive the right amount of activity.

Jack Chi dogs can get bored when they are stimulated, and it can often cause them to follow their nose to find new experiences in the environment. The Russell chihuahua mix often pokes their noses into small crevices throughout the wall or into food containers that could be left out.

As a highly independent breed, jack Russell chihuahua dogs can be left home alone as long as they have toys or some form of puzzles to keep them entertained. A bone to chew or some form of puzzle toy with treats is an excellent way to make sure that they can be left without any incidents.

During the training, they can be highly strong-willed, but if you have a gentle personality and remain patient with them, they can pick up almost any command.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Activity and training

As a high-energy breed, the Jack Chi will need regular exercise in order to remain well-mannered. Dogs unable to get regular exercise often become aggressive because they’ll have extra pent-up energy that is not being expelled during the day. Most jack chi mix owners recommend taking them on a walk at least twice a day to explore new smells and sights. Going down to the local park where you can have them chase the ball or interact with other dogs can ensure that the dog will become less mischievous.

The Jack Chi can be especially mischievous when they are young, and they tend to dig up holes in the backyard or even jump over walls and fences when they are left unattended for a long time.

The training process for Jack Chi puppies should start early in order to maintain their energetic personality and some of their stubborn behaviors. The Jack Russell chihuahua mixes will often want to take the lead because they’re quite smart dogs. It’s important to be patient as you train and to expect a bit of resistance when learning new skills. Work on some easy skills that your puppy can master, and when their mind starts to wander to other things, or they start to explore the environment, pick up training again another time.

Positive reinforcement is the best way to get through to a Jack Chi breed. Negative reinforcement will make it difficult to learn new tricks, and regular rewards will keep your puppy focused and make sure that it can get through an entire training session. Make sure that you’re always training your puppy in areas that they are comfortable with and with minimal distraction. Many Jack Chi owners also recommend scheduling puppy classes or dog parks so your dog can regularly interact with other dogs.

Health and Lifespan

As a hybrid breed, the Jack Chi can adopt some of the common health concerns amongst Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas. It’s usually best to speak to a breeder about any health conditions that jack Russell parent or chihuahua parents may have had or known issues within the lineage for your puppy.

Some of the most common health effects that concern these mixed breed dogs include:

Allergies:

Chihuahua and Jack Russell Terriers are both quite prone to allergies, and some members of this breed can be quite prone to allergies, such as long grass or certain types of flowers. Watch for various signs of rashes; you may need a better intervention if they are facing ongoing allergy flare-ups.

Dental problems:

Working with your puppy to care for their teeth and do regular cleanings can be an excellent way to help with dental problems. Dental treats and learning how to brush their teeth can be a perfect way to prevent various dental problems that can be common in both breeds. Jack Russell terrier parent breeds that show signs of tooth problems can let you know what your jack chi pup may need for dental cleaning.

Eye issue:

Both of these breeds regularly need their eyes and ears cleaned. Regularly inspecting your Jack Chi dog’s eyes will ensure you can spot any early signs of trouble or cloudiness.

Deafness:

Chihuahua breeds and Jack Russells can often experience ongoing hearing loss as they age. Regular ear cleaning and vet checkups will be a good way to monitor their hearing health.

RELATED: Deaf Dog Training

Heart problems:

As a high-energy breed, they can often experience heart problems when they don’t get proper exercise or if they regularly experience anxiousness. The jack chi can be an anxious breed and is prone to heart problems. Making sure that you can adequately socialize your Jack Chi puppy and spend time exercising them is important to helping with future heart conditions. This breed can live between 13 to 15 years with regular vet appointments, healthy food, and exercise.

Photo by Wirestock from Freepik

Coat care and grooming

The Jack Chi is a relatively low-maintenance breed because they only require brushing about once a week. Known for having a very short and dense coat, they are not known for a massive amount of shedding. With regular once-a-week brushing, you can remove some of the hair that is not shared naturally, and this is best done with a hard-bristled brush. Maintaining regular coat care and grooming, including tooth, eye, and ear care, will ensure you have a healthy Jack Chi dog.

Feeding and nutrition

Because these dogs are so small, they don’t require much food. It’s often easy to overfeed Jack Chi’s because they can be motivated and highly energetic. Once fully grown, they only require 1 cup of food daily. You can also consider mixing in some wet food or healthy treats to entice that if they lack calories. Depending on their weight and activity levels, most Jack Chi owners will want to keep their dogs on a diet of 250-500 cal per day. If your dog starts to get up way over 10 pounds or to the point where your veterinarian is considering a leading diet plan, choosing a veterinarian food or weight control food could be a better option.

Adoption and rescue

Adoption and rescue programs are possible for Jack Chi dogs. As they can be quite a popular breed in the United States for hybrids, you can find them in many shelters across the United States. Putting your name on a list of local shelters is an excellent way for you to find a Jack Chi that needs a home in your local market. You can also consider working with a Jack Russell Terrier breeder or two while a breeder is in your area to find extra copies that may not be sold or that could require adoption after they have finished breeding. Rescuing older dogs can be a rewarding way to enjoy this breed when they have lower activity levels.

https://puppyfinder.com/jack-chi-dogs-for-adoption-usa

Breeders and Price

If you’re buying a jack chi puppy, it’s always wise to research and find a reputable breeder. If you find a breeder where you can interact with the dog’s parents, it will often give you a better idea of what your puppy’s temperament might be. If the documentation on the Chihuahua parent, this can often give you an indication of what the health of your dog might be as well. Jack Russell Terriers are not a member of the American Kennel Club at this time, so you have to find documentation on these parents.

Make sure that any puppy you buy at a breeder comes with complete medical records and that they appear clean and healthy in general. It’s also likely that the breeder will ask you a number of questions about your home and your reason for adoption so that they can ensure their puppy is in good hands.

Photo by Ulrike Mai from Pixabay

You can find a Jack Russell Chihuahua mix for between $200 and $750 at most breeders in the United States. As these dogs are not registered with the American kennel club or considered purebred dogs, they are often cheaper than what you would pay for a Chihuahua or Jack Russell.

Conclusion

This breed is perfect for you if you’re searching for a small and highly affectionate dog that is great in versatile living situations. These dogs bond with their owners very quickly, and they’re very energetic, loving, and cute. They don’t require too much care, but they can be challenging to train. As a relatively low-maintenance breed, they are excellent companions and perfect for apartment living or families. If you’ve been looking for a small breed dog that is full of love and personality, consider a Jack Chi.