Jackshund

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
fast facts

About Jackshund

Height
8-23 inches
Weight
15-28 lbs
Lifespan
12-15 years
Group
Not applicable
Best Suited For
Families with older children, singles, people who live in an apartment, people who live in a house with a fenced yard
Temperament
Energetic, playful, intelligent, spirited, cuddly, affectionate, friendly, alert
Comparable Breeds
Dachshund, Jack Russell Terrier
Jackshund Basics


The lively, energetic, and affectionate Jackshund will win your heart in an instant. This hybrid is one of those pooches who have a happy-go-lucky attitude and goofy behavior- their friendliness and playfulness completely disarm all who come in contact with the breed. The Jackshund, or Jackweenie, is a designer dog created by crossing the Jack Russell Terrier with a Dachshund. The mix of the two very different purebreds might seem unusual at the first glance, but the compatible characters of the parents make a great combination. Their offspring stands to inherit two sets of lovely personality traits- not to mention dashing looks.


Owing to its parents, the Jackshund is a spirited dog with a sweet nature. They’ll love to curl up on your lap but only after a good tiring game of fetch or a long walk around the block. These cuties need their exercise to be happy! For this reason, they’re a great fit for active singles, who would make the Jackshund the center of their universe and enjoy having him as a companion for their outdoor activities. If trained and socialized, the amiable Jack Russell and Doxie mix could make a good pet for families with older children or retirees who lead an active lifestyle.


Of course, designer dogs can take up after their parents in other aspects, as well. Some of the less desirable traits and potential health risks are important to consider before you get a Jackshund for your family. Read on to find out if this designer breed is the best choice for you!


Owing to its parents, the Jackshund is a spirited dog with a sweet nature.


Origin

Designer dogs have been all the rage ever since the Labradoodle creator developed this hybrid in the 1980s. By combining a Poodle with a Lab, Wally Conron made a hypoallergenic service dog that was ideal for his client’s unique needs and created a worldwide phenomenon in the process. For the last few decades, more and more breeders are trying to create equally popular mixed breed dogs. The goal of those who are reputable canine enthusiasts is to improve upon the traits of existing purebreds and minimize the possibility of congenital health issues. The Jackshund was probably created for the same reason- to eliminate Doxie back issues and make a cute, friendly pooch in the process. However, there’s no sure way to claim this. In fact, you can only guesstimate the origin of the breed. Like most designer dogs, it was probably made in the United States, sometime in the last 30 years.


The lack of information and the short history of the Jackshund are all made up for by the longevity of its parental breeds. Both the Dachshund and the Jack Russell Terrier have enviable reputations as companions and family pets. The Doxie got its start in 15th century Germany, whereas the Jack Russell Terrier traces its roots all the way back to the 19th century England. Like many modern day breeds, they were both used for hunting, but have since evolved for the role of companionship.


Pedigree


The Jackshund might be a mixed breed dog that only recently became popular, but he boasts quite the ancestors. The Dachshund parent has been a popular pet choice for centuries and is in good standing with the American Kennel Club, where it belongs to the Hound group. The prestigious organization says that this breed “is truly an icon of purebred dogdom”, a compliment that’s really reserved for the most special canines. The Jack Russell Terrier might not be as “iconic” as the Wiener Dog, but these pooches have also seen their fair share of fame. Frequent movie stars, these working terriers make lovely pets and companions for owners who like energetic and smart dogs.


With parents such as these, the Jackshund is a promising breed. This designer dog might not be recognized by the AKC, and, therefore, not eligible for official pedigree papers, but it doesn’t take away from breed’s quality in the slightest.


Food/Diet


It’s not always easy determining what kind of food will meet your pet’s nutritional needs. It can be even harder with mix breed dogs who bring a lot of different traits to the table! However, high-quality dry dog food is always a safe choice.


The Jackshund will do well on premium kibble that’s suitable for its size (small to medium), age (puppy, adult, senior), and activity level (moderate to active). No two designer dogs are alike, and it particularly shows with this hybrid- make sure to take their uniqueness into consideration. Some will take up after their terrier parent more and require food for active dogs, whereas those with dominant Doxie genes need food for small breed dogs with moderate activity levels.


In any case, feeding the right amount of food will be as important as picking the right kibble. The Jackshund, especially those of them who are not as active as they should be, is prone to obesity. It’s easy to overfeed your pet if you don’t pay attention because they do have a healthy appetite. To prevent rapid weight gain, don’t free feed. Consult the feeding guide for more information about the serving size and serve the recommended amount of food divided into two daily meals.


These hybrids are full of energy and will need to spend it every day to stay happy.


Training


The Jackshund is smart and always up for a challenge- these are very trainable dogs. Both of its parents are smart and had their start as working dogs, and it shows. When put to task, the Jackshund will excel. Of course, with the Doxie and terrier genes in the mix, there’s always a possibility that the puppy will be stubborn. This doesn’t make them any more difficult to train, it only requires a bit more patience. To successfully train a Jackshund, rely on positive reinforcement methods and use treats and praise as motivation. It will work more efficiently than yelling or being harsh and deepen the bond between you and your pet.


If the puppy favors his Jack Russell Terrier parent more, they’ll be a bit of an overachiever when it comes to training. You’ll easily spot it- not only they’ll learn fast, but they’ll see training sessions as a source of fun rather than a boring part of the day. In this case, you can expand the training repertoire accordingly. After basic training and obedience, move on to teaching tricks or train your pet for sports such as agility and flyball. They’ll love it- and you will too!


Timely socialization is also a must- it will ensure your Jackshund gets along well with children, strangers, and other pets in the household.


Weight


On average, a Jackshund will weigh between 15 to 28 pounds. The smaller members of the breed usually take up after the Doxie parent, whereas the medium-sized mixes resemble Jack Russell Terrier more.


Temperament/Behavior

With a Jackshund by your side, you’ll never be bored again. These intelligent, playful dogs are always up for an adventure- even if their curious spirit often leads them straight to trouble. The Jack Russell and Doxie mix will love to play with puzzle toys, explore the outdoors, or run around the yard with the kids. Owing to its parents, the Jackshund has a high prey drive and will probably chase after anything smaller than him. Birds, squirrels, cats, rabbits- anything is fair game for this mix, so it’s better if he’s not in a multi-pet household.


By now, it’s probably clear to you that these are not lazy lap dogs. The Jackshund is a lively pooch with a need for exercise and play, but it doesn’t mean that they’re not cuddle bugs as well. Once they’ve got that excess energy out of their system, they’ll contently snuggle up to you, asking for belly rubs and ear scratches. They are a devoted breed and will grow very close to selected few family members. If socialized on time, they’ll be friendly to everyone!


Common Health Problems


There’s a common belief that mixed breed dogs are healthier than purebreds. This stems from the fact that there’s a lot of inbreeding within some canine lines, which led to congenital health issues. In reality, it’s all a combo of good genetics and luck. If you got a Jackshund from a reputable breeder, and not from a puppy mill or a pet store, it’s highly likely they won’t be at risk for any major issues. Breeder’s goal is to have healthy puppies that display impressive qualities, and they won’t sell sick puppies for profit.


However, in any case, there are still some common health problems that could affect the Jackshund. As a hybrid, it can have either better health than both parents or inherit illnesses from two different breeds. If the puppies favor the Doxie, they could be prone to epilepsy, canine disk disease, or diabetes. Similarly, those who take up after Jack Russell Terrier might have to deal with eye issues, Legg Calvé Perthes syndrome, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation.


Life Expectancy


The life expectancy for the Jackshund is between 12 to 15 years.


Exercise Requirements


Jackshund is a lively, playful pooch and it reflects on their activity levels. In most cases, these hybrids are full of energy and will need to spend it every day to stay happy. Otherwise, they might develop behavioral issues and become destructive. Most owners will find that 60 to 90 minutes of deliberate exercising keeps their hybrid content and tired. This could be a few longer walks, playtime in the doggie park, or a high-intensity game of fetch in a securely fenced backyard. The Jackshund needs its exercise to be challenging and fairly intensive for a dog os its size- they love doing dog sports like flyball and agility, for instance.


However, even if the Jackshund is more active than your average dog of medium size, they are still not among the high-maintenance active breeds. They can be perfectly happy living in an apartment, as long as they have a committed owner that meets their activity needs by taking them for walks and outdoor exercise. Similarly, an active senior wouldn’t find a Jack Russell-Doxie mix a handful. As long as they want a companion that loves long walks and wants to play fetch for hours, all is great!


The Jackshund is smart and always up for a challenge- these are very trainable dogs.


Recognized Clubs


The AKC and its international counterparts don’t recognize crossbreeds, Jackshund included. However, his hybrid is recognized by the Dog Registry of America.


Coat


The Dachshund comes in 3 coat types, so it significantly increases the unpredictability of appearance for any Doxie mix. They can have long, silky hair, short, smooth coat or a cute wiry fur- and a lot will depend on which of the 3 is the parent of your Jackshund. In most cases, though, these hybrids have a short to medium length coat. It’s usually a double coat with a coarse texture like the Jack Russell, and it can come in a variety of colors. Cream, red, wheaten, black and tan, or white with markings in various shades- it’s all possible when it comes to Jackweenie.


In terms of grooming, this designer dog is really undemanding. Brushing will be enough to keep stray hair at bay and keep that coat looking lustrous.


Puppies


Jackshund puppies are a lively bunch! Even in their puppyhood, these hybrids are ready for action and will show their energetic side. This is the ideal time to start with basic training and socialization. Not only that training session will keep your new puppy away from chewing shoes or climbing all over you, but they will also set a foundation for good behavior and temperament. Besides, these goofballs will love the chance to spend time with you- especially if it’s doing something fun like learning new tricks!


Photo credit: aquariagirl1970/Shutterstock; tiggra/Shutterstock; Annette Shaff/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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