Jackaranian

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
fast facts

About Jackaranian

Height
6-10 inches
Weight
6-14 lb
Lifespan
13-15 years
Group
Not applicable
Best Suited For
Families without children, active families, singles, living in apartment, houses with fenced yard
Temperament
Energetic, stubborn, loyal, goofy, aggressive towards strangers
Comparable Breeds
Pomeranian, Jack Russell Terrier,
Jackaranian Basics


With a goofy Jackaranian by your side, you’ll never be bored again! Jack-A-Ranian, Pom Jack, Pom-a-Jack, Jack Pom To no ones surprise, the offspring of these two breeds is full of energy. To boot, this hybrid dog definitely has a mind of its own! Jackaranian will be devoted to its family, smart, active and quite stubborn. These cute dogs were originally bred to be companions. They are a great match for active families and owners who’d love a spirited pooch by their side.


However, Jackaranians are not a great choice for beginners, as these dogs are notoriously hard to train. They are strong-willed and can pose quite a challenge even to a person well-versed in dog training. Due to its terrier genes and Pom’s nippy tendencies, the Jackaranian is not a good fit for families with children. They will not be patient with kids who handle them roughly and can nip them if they deem them too bothersome.


Jackaranian will be loyal to its family, smart, active and quite stubborn. They are a good match for active people who want an energetic pet.


Origin


There is no certain way to determine when and where exactly was this designer breed first created. Most sources agree that the first intentionally bred litters of Jackaranian puppies were born in the United States. As most other designer dog breeds and hybrid dogs, the Jackaranian also became an official breed in the last decade.


As for its ancestry, the Jackaranian is the offspring of two purebred dogs, the Pomeranian and the Jack Russell Terrier. The Pom has been a popular toy dog breed for centuries, starting out in laps of European royalty to become one of the most loved pets today. Oppositely, the lively Jack Russell Terrier was bred to be a small game hunting dog, but they made the shift from working dog to pet over the years.


Pedigree

As a designer dog breed, Jackaranian doesn’t have a pedigree. However, while they can’t have official papers as they are not recognized by the AKC, it doesn’t mean their parents won’t have one. A reputable breeder will have papers for the purebred parent(s) of their puppies. These will give you insight into your new pet’s family tree. If your Jackaranian comes from a line of healthy dogs that were well-cared for, you can expect them to follow in their ancestors’ footsteps. Have in mind, though, if the puppies’ parents were show-quality dogs, it will significantly influence their price.


Food/Diet


Jackaranian might be small and cute, but they are very active, and it will reflect on their dietary needs. To make sure that you’re providing the best diet for your Jackaranian, choose high-quality dry food for dogs of small size with high activity levels. Your pooch will burn off a lot of calories during their long walks or outdoor adventures, so you have to opt for nutritionally rich foods. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should overdo it when it comes to the serving size. While their level of activity should be accounted for when choosing a diet, these are still small breed dogs. Overfeeding them will quickly lead to obesity, which in turn causes a myriad of health issues for your pooch.


In general, a cup of kibble will be all your pet needs to stay satiated and healthy, but it’s best to rely on a feeding guide for exact measures.


Jackaranian might be small and cute, but they are very active, and it will reflect on their dietary needs.


Training


Socialization and training are extremely important for a young puppy. You will need to teach them how to walk on a leash, where to go potty and how to behave if you want them to grow up to be a well-mannered dog. Most experts agree that using positive reinforcement training method is the best option, as it gets you the best results and makes training a pleasant experience, both for your pet and you. However, when it comes to training your Jackaranian puppy, things might not go as smooth as you hoped it would.


The Pomeranian is known to have a willful, strong-willed streak. Combine that with the easily excitable and even more so stubborn Jack Russell Terrier, and you’ve got yourself a pooch that is quite hard to train. Sure, these pooches are smart, but they can be tough to motivate and keep focused on the task at hand. If your Jackaranian decides they don’t want to do something, there’s no way you’ll get them to do it. No amount of bribery or time-outs can help! This is why it’s crucial to stay patient and assertive throughout your training sessions. It might require more effort and time than it would with a more eager-to-please canine, but you will get there. And, if training a Jackaranian proves to be too big of a challenge to you, it’s best to contact a professional dog trainer for help. It will definitely save you a lot of nerves!


Weight


Both the Pomeranian and the Jack Russell Terrier are small dogs. Likewise, the Jackaranian will be of small stature. Your puppy’s weight in maturity will depend on their sex, as females tend to be smaller. Most adult dogs of this hybrid breed weigh between 6 and 14 pounds.


Temperament/Behavior

For such a small dog, Jackaranian certainly has a big personality. Smart, curious and a natural entertainer, this Pom-Terrier mix will be the center of the attention in any family. These mixed breed dogs are delightful companions, and their goofy behavior and silly antics are bound to put a smile on your face. They are devoted to their families and are fiercely protective of their owners. As highly active dogs, they will love to accompany you on long walks, hikes, and play with you. But, after they spend that extra energy productively, they turn into a cuddle bug. You can count on this pooch snuggling up to you at the end of the day, waiting for their belly rubs and cuddles.


Owing to the Terrier genes, the Jackaranian can often be distrustful of strangers, and even aggressive if not socialized properly. They won’t hesitate if they deem someone suspicious or dangerous, and they can be quite a nipper. As you might have guessed, this doesn’t make them a good fit for families with children. They do have more patience with older children, but if the kids are rough during play, this designer dog will react.


Common Health Problems


Most people believe that crossbreeding minimizes the chance for breed-specific hereditary illnesses. In fact, some of the designer dog breeds were created for that very reason! However, this is not always the case. Designer dogs don’t always win on the ‘genetic lottery’ and there are some potential health concerns for all canines, regardless of their breed.


In the case of the Jackaranian, some common inherited health problems that your dog could have include: patellar luxation, deafness, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. To minimize the possibility of your new pet suffering from a hereditary disease, make sure never to get a puppy from a dubious breeder. Not only that their breeding practices are inhumane, but they’re also detrimental to the health of the animals, making it more likely for their puppies to get sick.


Of course, there are also common health issues that are preventable with proper care. For the Jackaranian, it’s important to make sure to brush their teeth regularly, as they can be prone to early teeth loss and dental issues in general.


Life Expectancy


As a fairly new designer dog breed, the Jackaranian hasn’t been around long enough for their lifespan to be determined. However, based on its parents and overall traits, experts were able to guesstimate their expected lifespan. Jackaranians live between 13 and 15 years.


Exercise Requirements


When you first see a Jackaranian, you’ll probably think that the petite pooch is a typical lap dog. You couldn’t be more wrong! This designer dog breed is highly active and will need a lot of exercise to feel happy and stay in shape. Regular walks, a lot of play and frequent outdoor adventures are a must if you plan on getting a Jackaranian for your family. These are high-maintenance dogs when it comes to their exercise needs. For that reason, they are ideal for active people who want a furry companion for their energetic lifestyle.


As a rule of thumb, your Jackaranian will need an hour of exercise each day. This could be walking around the block, playing fetch in the dog park, or letting your pooch run around with a ball in a fenced yard. Either way, it’s important to provide them with enough activity, otherwise, your pet will get depressed and destructive.


This designer dog breed is highly active and will need a lot of exercise to feel happy and stay in shape.


Recognized Clubs


The Jackaranian breed is not recognized by American Kennel Club, not unlike other designer dog breeds. Of course, there are various canine clubs and organizations that recognize hybrid breeds as official ones. These include the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Designer Breed Registry, Dog Registry of America, as well as International Designer Canine Registry.


Coat


With a furry, fluffy Pomeranian mom and sleek, short-haired Jack Russell Terrier dad… What type of coat will a Jackaranian have? These pooches can come in a variety of colors and have a coat that’s either thick, smooth, or broken. Whatever the case is with your particular pooch, you can expect them to be low-maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. Brushing them once or twice a week to remove any dirt or loose hair will keep them looking sharp. Baths are not mandatory for the feisty Jackaranian- but you can get them to the shower if they need one. And, having in mind how they love to explore the outdoors, they probably will need one more often than not.


Puppies


Jackaranian puppies look cute and gentle, but behind their appearance is an energetic, goofy pooch. These silly designer dogs will definitely make you smile and brighten your day with their entertaining behavior. As Pomeranian mixes, they are smart and protective of their owners, but their stubbornness might be a problem for beginner dog owners. Jackeranians are very hard to train if you don’t have experience, so make sure to arm yourself with patience if you are getting this designer dog breed.


Due to the Terrier genes, these pooches can be a bit impatient with children and aggressive towards strangers, so it’s best to avoid this breed if you want a family-friendly pet. As highly active dogs, Jackeranians will thrive alongside an owner who provides them enough exercise. Their small size makes them a good choice for apartment dwellers, but only if they’re willing to spend at least an hour a day exercising their four-legged companion. All things considered, if you want a petite pooch with a heart of a lion and endless energy, Jackaranian is the dog for you!


Photo credit: OlesyaNickolaeva/Shutterstock; Jontmh/Shutterstock

Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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