Jack Chi Dog Breed

Below are specs and details for the Jack Chi dog breed.

Your Jack Chi will be a small dog, but most range in size from 5-20 pounds and 8-15 inches in height. Despite their small size, however, they may not like to be picked up much.

The Jack Chi is usually a curious and busy dog, and while they may want to play with children, strangers and other pets, care should be taken so that they don’t behave aggressively. They don’t bark much, but they are small dogs that can have a very strong hunting instinct. If socialized early with children and other pets, they should get along well.

Your Jack Chi is probably going to desire a lot of attention, but they may not need much grooming. If they have the high energy of a Jack Russell Terrier, they may want to play a lot; if they have more Chihuahua in them, they may prefer sitting with you. Attention should be given to how much they eat, as they may eat non-stop if allowed, and this is not good for their health.

The Jack Chi is a new hybrid that appears to have been around since only the very early 21st century and, due to this, it does not have much of a history. The AKC doesn’t recognize hybrid breeds and the Jack Russell Terrier parent breed is also not acknowledged; it does officially recognize the Chihuahua and did so in 1904.

Oddly enough, the Jack Russell Terrier was a breed that preceded the Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier - but only the latter two are officially recognized by the AKC: the Parson Russell in 1997 and the simply named Russell several years later in 2012. It was the Jack Russell Terrier, however, that was first bred in England in the very early 19th century. There was a desire for an energetic, intelligent hunting dog with short legs that would be sufficient in the low, flat lands where it worked.

The Chihuahua is named after the region in Mexico from which it is believed to have come, but it remains a mystery if it actually came from there. Artifacts excavated from areas throughout Mexico appear to show the breed being present there as far back as the 9th century A.D. It is one of the oldest registered breeds in the United States, as the AKC was only 20 years old when it officially recognized the Chihuahua. The breed was introduced to the southwestern U.S. in the 18th century, but it wasn’t a popular dog because they were too small to be useful on farms. Once the American middle class exploded in the 1960's, however, the Chihuahua became popular because its small size allowed it to adapt easily to apartment living.

Being cross-bred from a Jack Russell Terrier and a Chihuahua, the Jack Chi will inherit characteristics from both parent breeds. Some may have more Jack Russell Terrier than Chihuahua characteristics and vice versa, and still others may show a balanced mix from both parents.

Your Jack Chi’s triangular-shaped head is bound to be small, and it may likely have a long or even a very long muzzle. The legs will probably have a slim, athletic look, and if well-fed and properly exercised, the body will be small and lithe. The ears may be large and pointy like a Chihuahua or flop forward like that of a Jack Russell Terrier. As both parent breeds tend to have eyes that stare curiously, your Jack Chi is certain to have that same quizzical countenance. The tail may be medium-length and straight, or it may curl up nearly into an "O".

Mixed breeds vary much more than their purebred parents in many different aspects such as size, coat, and even temperament. Even puppies from the same litter cannot be guaranteed to appear or act the same. If these traits are important to you, ask your breeder about the differences among each generation of Jack Chi since the percentage of each parent breed changes per generation. F1 Jack Chis are the result of crossing a purebred Jack Russell Terrier with a purebred Chihuahua. An F1B is when a breeder takes one F1 Jack Chi and crosses them back with either a purebred Chihuahua or purebred Jack Russell. An F2 is the progeny of two F1 Jack Chis bred together... and so on.

There are both long and short haired Chihuahuas, plus Jack Russells come in 3 coat types: smooth, rough, and broken. This ensures plenty of coat possibilities depending upon what type of coat the parents had. For instance, if you want a long-haired Jack Chi, look for a reputable breeder than has both a long haired Chihuahua and broken coat Jack Russell Terrier.

These dogs will also have many size variations. Chihuahuas are bred down to Miniature and Teacup sizes, and Jack Russells also come in a miniature variety. Although they are not as common, it is possible to find breeders that offer Teacup or Mini Chihuahua x Jack Russell mixes. Keep in mind that sometimes dogs that have been bred smaller for size often suffer health consequences that can be costly for the owner.

The Jack Chi’s temperament depends on the behavioral traits inherited from its parents. Some will get more from the Jack Russell Terrier side, whereas others will inherit more from the Chihuahua, and there are those that will have a fair mix of characteristics from both breeds.

To be sure, however, you can expect your Jack Chi to be energetic, friendly and curious. They tend to eat as much as you put down for them, so keeping their diet maintained means monitoring how much they are allowed to eat. They are very good in apartments and can usually get enough exercise inside, but they do like walks. If they have more Jack Russell Terrier, they may want more activity and may not be too keen to being held for long periods of time. Training can be a bit difficult, but with a moderate amount of patience, it can be done.

Another reason that the Jack Chi is better suited for indoor living is the possibility of allergies to grasses and trees. Because of this, they may develop skin rashes, so it is recommended you be aware of this. They may also have eye problems, and these may be partially prevented by weekly (gentle) cleanings of the eyes with a damp cloth. They may have a voracious appetite, so be sure to monitor how much is set before them - or they may eat everything. Although they tend to get enough exercise inside and on their own, long walks are not bad and may help to keep them healthy and happy by tiring them out.

Your Jack Chi should have a life expectancy of about 12-15 years.