The Jack Russell - Chihuahua mix may be adorable, but as with any dog, you need to make sure their personalities fit in well with your lifestyle. So here's everything you need to know about this terrier mix!
What is a cross between a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua?
These two breeds are very different, and putting them together makes for a pooch calmer than the Jack Russell, but more active than the Chihuahua. Here's a summary of what you need to know about the parent breeds:
The Jack Russell Terrier
Originally a fox-hunting breed from the UK, Jack Russells are small dogs belonging to the Terrier group. Despite their size (10 to 15 inches at the shoulder, and weighing in at 13 to 17 pounds), they are high energy dogs, known for their speed and endurance. Strong-willed and fiercely independent, they are certainly not lap dogs! They need at least 1 hour of exercise every day to stay happy! Training is also extremely important for this breed, in order to avoid destructive behaviour in the home. They are very intelligent, but are free-thinkers, so they are best for experienced trainers. They are a healthy breed which comes in two coat varieties: the smooth and rough, both of which are easy to groom.
The Chihuahua
Originating from Mexico, Chihuahuas are one of the most popular lap dog breeds and it's no wonder why: from 6 to 9 inches in height and 3 to 6 pounds only in weight, these dogs love nothing more than spending time with their humans. If adopted into a family, Chihuahuas tend to do better with older children rather than small children. They often bond very closely to one member of the family, and can become very protective of that person. It is therefore very important to train and socialise this dog from a very young age: they are not aware of their small size, and can put themselves in dangerous situations if they are not careful! They are not all-weather dogs, and even the long-haired varieties will need to wear a coat in colder weather.
What is a Jack Russell cross Chihuahua called?
The Jack Russell cross Chihuahua has a purebred Chihuahua parent and a purebred Jack Russell Terrier parent. It is also known as a Jackhuahua or a Jack Chi.
History of the Jack Russell Chihuahua cross
Filled with boundless energy, requiring mental stimulation and plenty of exercise, the Jack Chi is a bundle of fun. A very friendly dog, it will certainly enjoy lots of snuggles with its new owner. This is a new hybrid 'breed', otherwise known as a 'designer dog', so it is not recognised by any kennel clubs. The crossbreed originated in the US around 40 years ago, perhaps as a happy accident!
Physical characteristics of the Jack Chi
The Jack Chi dog has a Jack Russell’s triangular head, long muscular body, and a short neck as well as the rounded eyes of the Chihuahua. The ears can be floppy and folded, similar to a Jack Russell's, or erect and pointed like the Chihuahua's. The snout is long, and slightly thinner than that of a Jack Russell's. The hindquarters are muscular and strong, the legs are short and the long tail is usually curled.
Height Size: 14 - 15 inches
Weight: 8 – 18 lbs
Coat colours: Black, chocolate, fawn, golden, cream, and white. Can be a solid colour, or a mix of two or three colours!
What is the temperament of a Jack Chi?
Sweet-tempered and very lively, Jack Chis need an abundance of daily exercise. The Jack Russell Terrier character shows through as always wanting to be the leader. This results in them being rather headstrong and more difficult to train. These dogs are known to be chewers, so ensure that your pup has a good supply of chewable toys, if you don’t want to end up with damaged furniture or shoes. They are very sociable dogs that get on well with older children and other pets. Friendly and affectionate, they love lots of attention and cuddles. Just like the Chihuahua, they can sometimes suffer from separation anxiety, so make sure you teach them how to be independent from a young age.
Are Jack Chis aggressive?
The Jack Chi is energetic, intelligent and sociable. They do love to play with other dogs and children, however, if the playtime gets rough or their tail and ears are pulled, they can get a little bit snappy. If you socialise your Jack Russell cross Chihuahua early, however, they should never be aggressive. Of course, because it is a mixed breed, you can never be certain what personality trait your Jack Chi will inherit from its parents, and this can play a part on how the dog interacts with other pets and humans.
Exercise needs of the Jack Russell Chihuahua cross
These active little dogs appreciate lots of exercise. They will often follow their noses and chase after birds or balls. They have inbuilt preying instincts and certainly love running around for hours off the lead. The Jack Chi isn’t very tolerant of cold weather, so make sure you have a coat for them in the winter.
Grooming the Jack Russell Chihuahua cross
This short-haired dog doesn’t require intense maintenance and grooming. A weekly brush should suffice to keep shedding at a minimum. Only bathe them when absolutely necessary, in order to maintain the natural oils in the fur. Wipe the dog’s ears once weekly to keep them clean, and brush teeth daily.
Feeding the Chihuahua Jack Russell mix
These dogs are sometimes fussy, picky eaters but in the main, happy to eat whatever you feed them. Take care not to overfeed them, as they are guzzlers and don’t know when to stop eating.
Health problems of the Jack Chi
This is quite a hardy breed of dog although it is prone to similar health problems to their parents. Above all, there is a possibility of sensitive skin, especially when it comes to reactions to insect bites and fleas. Some Jack Russell Chihuahua dogs present as having several allergies, especially to fresh cut grass and soy. Jack Russells are noted for several eye diseases, like glaucoma, and also ear infections and deafness. Other common health issues Jack Chis suffer from include: Patellar Luxation, Tracheal Collapse, Heart problems, and Hypoglycemia.
Lifespan of Chihuahua cross Jack Russells
Both the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell live a long time. A Chihuahua's lifespan is approximately 14 to 16 years and a Jack Russell's lifespan is between 13 to 16 years. Therefore, the Jack Chi's lifespan will approximately be between 13 to 15 years old.
Jack Chi puppies
If you wish to get a Jack Russell cross Chihuahua puppy be prepared to have a ball of energy on your hands. Make sure to start training and socialisation early. Be patient, spend as much time as possible with your puppy and you will have a loving, loyal and happy new best friend.
How much does a Jack Chi cost?
Online, you will find many ads for Jack Russell cross Chihuahuas for sale for anything between £400 and £800. Remember, Jack Chis are a crossbreed, not a real breed, so you won't find any breeders registered with the kennel club. This makes it hard to know whether a breeder is good or not. If you do want to purchase a Jack Chi puppy, do extensive research on the person you're buying the puppy from, and insist on seeing the puppy before you buy it. Make sure the breeder upholds good welfare standards for their pups and is doing this for the love of dogs and not for profit! We recommend you visit a shelter before considering purchasing a puppy. There's no better place to find a crossbreed, and Jack Chis are actually pretty common!
Jack Russell Chihuahua crosses are not only fiercely loyal and friendly, but they also love to play for hours at a time. They make for fantastic companions and family members!
Read on to find more information about these mixed breeds:
- The American Bulldog cross Staffy
- The Border Terrier cross Jack Russell
- The Cavapoo
- The Chihuahua cross Pug
- The Chi-poo
- The Cockapoo
- The French Bulldog cross Pug
- The French Bulldog cross Staffy
- The German shepherd – Labrador crossbreed
- The Goberian
- The Goldador
- The Goldendoodle
- Golden retriever x German shepherd
- The Husky cross Collie
- The Husky cross Staffy
- The Horgi
- The Jack a Bee
- The Jackshund
- The Jack Russell cross Pug
- The Jack Tzu
- The Labrador Collie crossbreed
- The Labrottie
- The Labsky
- The Lhasapoo dog
- The Patterjack
- The Pom a Pug
- The Pomchi
- The Pomsky
- The Pugapoo
- The Puggle
- The Pug-zu
- The Shichi
- The Shichon
- The Staffador
- The Staffy cross Jack Russell
- The Rottsky
