They are called Jackapoo, Jack-a-doodle, Jackapoodle, or Poo-Jack, but no matter what you call your Jack Russell Poodle mix, they are downright adorable. But before getting a Jackapoo or any dog in particular, you must learn about their needs to help you decide if they are the best fit for your family.
Table of Contents
Jack Russell Poodle Mix Key Characteristics
- Adaptability: 60%
- Affection Level: 60%
- Apartment Friendly: 40%
- Barking Tendencies: 60%
- Cat Friendly: 40%
- Child Friendly: 60%
- Dog Friendly: 60%
- Exercise Need: 100%
- Grooming Needs: 20%
- Health Issues: 40%
- Intelligence: 80%
- Playfulness: 100%
Jack Russell Poodle Mix Breed Highlights
- Jackapoos are Jack Russell Poodle mix dogs. They are also known as Poo-jack, Jack-a-Doodle, or Jackapoodle.
- They are small to medium sized dogs with pups that can look different from one another. Some acquire more of their Jack Russell side while others look more Poodle-like.
- Their sizes could also differ depending on which type of Poodle was used for breeding. There are standard Poodles which are medium-sized dogs and miniature and toy Poodles that are very small.
- Jackapoo dogs are brilliant and intelligent. They can be taught easily starting with simple demands.
- This hybrid dog could learn fast, but that means they can also get bored faster and learn bad habits quickly, too. It is essential to keep them physically fit and mentally stimulated to become well-rounded dogs.
- Social exercises are also important as Jackapoo dogs love to bark and they can get aggressive towards other dogs, people, and animals when not trained.
- While first generation Jackapoo puppies are healthier, they have the biggest risk of inheriting the health problems their parents had. General and regular check-up is a must.
- All Poodle types are prone to allergies and ear infections, something that your Jackapoo can acquire. Keep them cleaned regularly and provide them with safe foods.
- Learn how to read dog food labels. You should avoid buying anything that has artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that can be detrimental to your pet’s health.
- In general, these dogs are very sweet, loyal, and gentle especially towards their families. They can also be hyperactive and energetic dogs that love to play.
- They don’t require high maintenance when it comes to grooming which can be advantageous. However, they do shed all year round — but normally very minimally.
Jack Russell Terrier Poodle Mix Appearance
Like most designer dogs, a litter of Jack Russells and Poodles may look different from each other. Some look more like Poodle pups, especially with their curly coat while others look more like their Jack Terrier parent. Their color may also vary widely even within the litter itself.
Nonetheless, they have an average body built, medium-length snout, and button or V-drop ears.
Size and Weight
The only thing for sure is that your dog will be small to medium-sized dogs – depending on what specific breed of Poodle they descended from.
There are miniature and toy Poodle breeds that were bred to be toy and lap dogs. They grow from around 9 to 15 inches at the withers and weighs from 6 to 17 pounds only. However, the standard Poodle should be at 18 inches to 22 inches at the withers. Males often weigh heavier than females at 45 to 70 pounds and 45 to 60 pounds, respectively.
Meanwhile, the average height and weight of a Jack Russell is from 10 inches to 15 inches and 14 pounds to 18 pounds.
That said, Jackapoo dogs may grow anywhere between the smallest to the biggest dogs of the breeds they came from.
Fur and Coat
There is also a significant difference between Jack Russell and Poodle mix breeds and their fur and coat. Some have the straight, short, and coarse coat of the Jack Russell while others have the distinct curly, softer, and fluffier coat of the Poodle breeds.
However, some fascinating combinations occur sometimes. Because of the mixture of a curly and straight coat, some pups tend to develop wavy ones. Others have straight hair around their body but develop fluffier, longer, and wavy fur on various parts as well such as their legs and neck.
When it comes to color, the most common are black, white, and tan. Often, there’s a mixture of two or even more colors around the dog’s body.
History
The Jackapoo is a breed that was just introduced to the world around twenty to thirty years ago. They came from two well-known breeds: The Jack Russell and Poodle. Since they were only newly bred that time, breeders were still unsure how they’d turn out when they grow up.
They are also not recognized by major breed organizations such as the American Kennel Club. However, several local and national dog groups who are working on acknowledging every Jackapoo that they come across. These groups aim to learn more about these hybrid dogs, especially about their health. They also make sure that Jackapoos are bred to ensure they are healthy and good-natured pooches.
But while the Jack Russell Poodle mix breed was just recently discovered, its ancestors have been around for a while.
Jack Russell
This breed is a working terrier that was named after Reverend John Russell who was responsible for breeding the finest working terriers in England. They were known as baying terriers and worked to flush foxes away and into the hands of the hunters with their noise only.
Since the 1800s, Jack Russell dogs were only bred for hunting.
These dogs have a rather extensive genetic make-up, which is why there’s some variance with standard Jack Russell pooches. Some were long-legged while others were short. The disagreement with their leg length has caused a separation of breeds in England. The long-legged dogs were known as Parson Jack Russell while the shorter ones were simply known as Jack Russell dogs.
However, it was the long-legged types that were ultimately acknowledged as Jack Russell dogs in America.
This breed has been catapulted into fame when a terrier named Moose played roles in TV. Since then, more homeowners are breeding Jack Russell pups as companion and pet.
Poodle
Poodle dogs might be the most stereotyped dog of all. Even dog lovers assume that they came from France, bred by nobles for noble men and women. However, they came from Germany and were bred to become retriever dogs.
Retriever dogs often accompany hunters and help them during their hunt. If a hunter shot a duck or bird, they would jump into the water or the area where the game fell and retrieve it for their master.
Poodle breeds were also seen as aloof, graceful, and elegant dogs. But they are actually active and energetic dogs.
But despite these traits, the history of the Poodle is quite mysterious. There are two theories as to where they came from. First is that they descended from Asian herding dogs that were captured by North African people. Another theory suggests they came from dogs from Asian steppes that followed a tribe of German people.
According to some bas-relief items that were found in the Mediterranean, the most favored theory was the African one.
Jack Russell Poodle Mix Trainability
The Jack Russell and Poodle dogs are brilliant dogs. They can carry out several activities that they are trained to do. If not, how could Jack Russell breeds flush foxes away or keep Poodles from eating the bird they retrieved?
This intelligence is inherited by the Jackapoo, making them extremely trainable. You can start by potty training them as pups and then jumping on to basic commands. When they grow older, you can also start giving them more complex training for tricks that may allow them to help around the house.
But their intelligence and ability to pick something up fast could also be their downfall. Even though they can quickly learn commands, they can also learn bad habits quickly. The trick here is to start training them young and be consistent with their training. Plus, they can quickly get bored, and that’s when they can pick up negative habits. Keep on training them and let them learn new things.
Jackapoo dogs also have a stubborn streak. This usually happens when the training gets a little too dull for them. To make it more successful, you should make it interesting for them and stop being repetitive. Also, remember that they don’t respond well to negative approaches.
If you can’t do it, you can get the assistance of professional dog trainers.
Exercise
Because of their intelligence and energetic temperament, they need to have daily physical exercises as well as some mental stimulation. Spend at least 40 to 60 minutes a day exercising with the dogs. You can walk them for at least 20 minutes and then let them run around in an enclosed, grassy space as a reward. Of course, do it all in a safe setting such as your yard or a dog park.
Mental stimulation can also come in the form of playing. Give them new toys every once and a while and let them figure out how they work. You can also take a new route every day and let them take in their surroundings.
Another fun way of helping them mentally is to make them work for their treats. For example, you can hide the treats under some cups and then shuffle them. Or you can create obstacles for them to overcome before they can reach their treats.
These are all ways to keep them healthy as well as interested. When they get bored, they may acquire destructive behaviors and become bad dogs.
Jack Russell Terrier Poodle Mix Temperament
Jack Russell Poodle mix dogs have become a favored home companion because of their loyal and gentle temperament. They can also be overly active, running around your place and initiating games with the family and other pets. But they are sweet little dogs who will protect their family, even with their small stature.
As already mentioned, this hybrid dog is clever but can be stubborn. Despite that, they are perfect for first-time dog parents because of their intelligence and people-oriented personality.
Perhaps another downside with a Jackapoo is their barking habits. They can be loud, especially when they see strangers or something they don’t like. If you live in an area where being loud is not allowed, you might want to reconsider getting this designer dog.
It is essential that your Jackapoo gets social training. This helps them become mature and more confident. Train them to be familiar with different people, animals, situations, and noises to avoid any unruly behavior as they grow up.
Feeding and Nutrition
There are two ways to feed a Jack Russell and Poodle mix, and it depends whether they are born into the family, or you adopted/bought them from a breeder.
If you bought or adopted your Jackapoo, the breeder would likely provide you with their eating schedule. It is essential to adhere to the schedule since changing the time they were supposed to eat as well as the recommended quantity could upset their tummies and cause constipation or diarrhea.
If they were born into the family (born from your pets), you should observe them and see how they react to the food they eat and when they are most likely hungry. Keep to the schedule as with adopted or breeder or store-bought pooches. You can feed them 2 to 3 times a day.
It’s also essential to stick to one type of dog food. If you wish to change their diet, do it gradually. For example, mix in 30% of the new food and 70% of the old for day one. Then make it 35% and 65% for the next day. Keep stacking it up until the 7th day where they can eat 100% of the new food. This helps them adjust well to the change of flavor and nutrients.
Speaking of nutrition, your dog needs protein. It helps them grow and build muscles. Their dog food should have an animal-protein source as the number one ingredient. Carbohydrates are also a must for energy. Since Jackapoos can be extremely active, they need food high in carbs. Healthy fats and other nutrients are also good for them as it offers protection and improves their immune system and senses.
Choosing Jackapoo Dog Food
When it comes to choosing their food, you need to be cautious about what you buy. Learn to read the label so you can guarantee it’s safe for your little furbabies.
Here are things you should avoid in any dog food you buy:
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Ethoxyquin
- Propylene Glycol (PG)
- Ethylene glycol (EG)
- Food dyes (artificial coloring)
- Rendered fat
- Wheat and corn glutens
Chicken by-products are also widely disliked by a lot of pet lovers. However, some believe it is safe since what they meant by “by-products” are the bones, heart, liver, and intestine of the chicken instead of feathers, scales, and nails. This would likely be based on your belief and preference.
If your Jack Russell and Poodle mix has allergies, you can try giving them grain-free kibbles which are known to help dogs with allergies and sensitive tummies. Apart from that, you should adjust their nutritional needs based on their overall health.
Jack Russell Poodle Mix Health and Care
If you keep your Jackapoo safe and healthy, they can live an average of 12 to 15 years.
But while designer dogs are healthier than purebred dogs, they can easily acquire any health condition that any or both parents have. That’s why it is essential to have them checked by the vet regularly, especially when you aren’t aware of the parents’ health.
Nonetheless, here are some of the most common health problems both Jack Russell and Poodle breeds get and that your little Jackapoo can acquire.
Jack Russell
- Posterior luxation
- Patellar luxation
- Anterior luxation
- Deafness
- Arthritis
- Cataracts
- Late Onset Ataxia
- Canine Spinocerebellar Ataxia
- Primary Lens Luxation/Ectopis Lentis
- Leg-Calve-Perthes
Standard Poodle
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Cataracts
- Retinal dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Cancer
- Allergies
- Ear infections
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Addison’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Thrombocytopenia
- Hip dysplasia
- Heart and kidney diseases
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Miniature Poodle
- Addison’s disease
- Chronic active hepatitis
- Patellar luxation
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Thyroid disease
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Dental issues
- Epilepsy
- Hip dysplasia
- Leg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Achondroplasia
- Von Willebrand’s disease
Toy Poodle
- Cushing’s syndrome
- In-growing eyelashes
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes mellitus
- Legge Perthes disease
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Cataracts
- Distichiasis
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Bladder stones
- Hyperadrenocorticism
- Ear problems
- Skin tumors
It is essential for breeders to choose or make sure that both Jack Russell and Poodle dogs they breed are healthy so that their pups won’t get affected by any of these health issues.
Meanwhile, you can add a layer of protection for your dog through vaccinations. They need to get these during their first few weeks and months.
Grooming
With Jackapoos and their commonly short and close-to-skin coat, grooming isn’t something you have to invest too much on. You can brush their coat twice a week to maintain and keep it shiny. Trimming isn’t necessary sometimes, but when your dog has wavier and longer fur, then it’s better to do so.
Shedding could be different for each dog, depending on what coat they have. Your dog can experience no shedding to low shedding. If it’s the latter, they will likely shed very minimally throughout the year — just a little more during the Spring and Autumn. But it’s not something to be afraid of.
Many Jack Russell Poodle mix dogs are hypoallergenic making them the ideal choice for pet lovers who have allergies.
When it comes to nail clippings, you can have it professionally done or do it on your own, provided you have experience and the right tools. They also need to have their ears cleaned regularly as they are prone to ear infections. Bringing them to a professional groomer every few months would be the best choice for a thorough cleaning.
Jack Russell Poodle Mix Puppies
First generation puppies can be extremely different. They may not look like brothers and sisters at all. They’d be in different colors, varying coats, and even some differences in features. They also get the most risk when it comes to inheriting diseases from their parents.
However, Jackapoo puppies are one of the most adorable pups you’ll encounter. They’re quite active and smart and can already follow some simple commands once you teach them. You should keep away anything they can chew because they will undoubtedly gnaw on anything they can get their mouths on, especially cables.
De-worming your puppies is also necessary to ensure that they are perfectly safe from parasites. Your vet will schedule them for you, alongside vaccines and medical services.
But while these puppies are active, they still need a lot of sleep. They can be sensitive to loud noises, so to keep from interrupting their nap time and irritating them, keep the sounds low. Create limits for them regarding playing and food. Playing often serves as their exercise and they shouldn’t be overdoing it. Food should be limited as well to avoid diarrhea, constipation, and bloat.
Price
Prices often depend on the breeders. Reputable ones usually charge more. There’s also the medical services and add-on such as equipment that will bring the price up. Of course, there’s also whether they are male or female, their age, and what type of Poodle they were bred from (standard, miniature, toy).
However, you can expect to shell out $1000 to $3000 for Jack Russell Poodle mix puppies. That can be expensive, but given the price point of Jack Russell and Poodle dogs, you can understand why.
Apart from the initial payment, it’s likely you will spend around $1000 to $1500 per year, per dog. These are for their food, medical needs, grooming, and miscellaneous stuff. Some even spend more.
If you’re somewhat fearful of the price, you can always visit local pounds and shelters and save a life and adopt one.
Breed Organizations
Several breed organizations acknowledge Jack Russell Poodle mix breeds. These include:
- American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
- Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
- International Designer Canine Registry® (IDCR)
- Designer Breed Registry (DBR)
- Designer Dogs Kennel Clube (DDKC)
You can approach these organizations for anything regarding Jackapoos.
Conclusion
A Jack Russell Poodle mix breed dog is one of the most adorable pups you’ll ever find. But don’t be deceived by their cute demeanor, they can be extremely intelligent and can develop some bad habits quickly if you don’t pay that much attention. Despite that, they are loving, sweet, gentle babies that are easy to take care of, even for first-time dog parents.
