As designer dogs become more and more popular in the canine world, we are seeing very interesting combinations popping up. What probably is one of my favorites is the Jack Chi.
Who could ever have thought that the sassy and classy could go so well together in a dog? These doggies have a uniquely endearing aesthetic and a fantastic personality that makes them the perfect fit for all types of dog owners.
A Jack Chi is a mixed breed dog type obtained from breeding female Jack Russell Terriers and male Chihuahuas. It is one of the most popular designer dog breeds in terms of appearance and temperament. Jack Chis typically fall in the small dog breed category, although they are usually larger than the Chihuahua parents. In terms of build, head shape, facial features, and coat characteristics, the appearance all differ from one Jack Chi to another. This difference also applies to their overall temperament.
Whether they come out looking like Chihuahuas and acting like Jack Russell Terriers or the other way round, there is no denying the appeal of these doggies. If you are considering getting one of your very own, here is all the information you need to appropriately prepare for the new member of the family.
What Are Jack Russell Chihuahuas Like?
A Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is a combination of two of the top 100 most popular dog breeds out there. While Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas both qualify as small breed dogs, they are often very different in terms of general appearance. As a result, it is not easy to predict what a Jack Russell and Chihuahua mix will look like.
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breeds out there. They have a characteristic apple-shaped head with a narrow snout and large eyes. They also often have short and smooth fur, but some recessive varieties may have longer and wavier coats.
Jack Russell Terriers, on the other hand, are also small breed dogs. They are known for their incredible body proportions and overall solid and athletic build. Their key head and facial features include broad and flat foreheads and almond-shaped eyes. When it comes to the coat, these doggies have double layers of often short fur.
Genetics play the biggest role in determining how big a Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix can get. More often than not they fall between both parents with a weight average of 8 to 18 lbs and a height limit of about 15 inches.
When it comes to the Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix’s head and facial features, they usually take after the Terrier’s rectangular face with the Chihuahua’s round eyes. The ears, on the other hand, are a little more unpredictable and may either be short and perky like the Chihuahua or folded like the Terrier parent.
We will look more at the coat characteristics in the grooming session, so you have a better understanding of how best to take care of the pup.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Jack Chi? Health Problems Every Jack Chi Faces
Like most other small dog breeds, Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas both have very long life expectancies. This gift is passed on to the Jack Chi mix which has an impressive lifespan of 13 to 18 years. They tend to be very healthy, with the few Jack Russell Chihuahua’s health problems rarely being life-threatening. Here are some of the most common of these issues.
Eye Problems
Jack Chi mixes have a variety of eye problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis associated with allergic reactions. The issues range in severity from simple and temporary irritation to conditions that may result in blindness.
Ear Problems
These designer doggies are prone to hereditary deafness or some degrees of hearing loss in either one or both ears. Fortunately, they have awesome adaptability and, with training, can leave normal and happy lives. They are also more likely to experience ear infections, especially if they take after the Terrier’s droopy ears. Infections, hereditary deafness
Skin Allergies
These are often triggered by pests like fleas and ticks but may also be due to contact with certain fabrics and chemicals. It results in contact dermatitis with symptoms like itchiness, skin bruising, and fur loss.
Dental Problems
Dental overcrowding occurs a lot with mixed breed doggies, especially if one of the parents has a narrow jaw structure, as is the case with Chihuahuas. It leads to pain, difficulties when feeding, and increases risks for infections like cavities and gingivitis.
Hypoglycemia
This is a condition when a dog experiences low levels of blood sugar. It has several symptoms, including tremors which may explain why your Jack Chi is shaking so much.
How To Take Care Of A Jack Chi?
Jack Chis are relatively easy to take care of. With these doggies, a little tender loving care goes a long way toward ensuring that they get to enjoy their lives as much as you enjoy having them around. You just have to know what you are doing. Here are a few general care tips that should help you get the most out of your experience with your Jack Russell Terrier Chihuahua Mix.
It is therefore important to be careful what you feed your pooch. Find what they love and establish a healthy feeding routine that ensures that they are getting what they need in appropriate quantities and proportions.
Nutrition
Jack Chis have very interesting eating habits. They have a tendency to overeat, which can cause issues such as obesity and diabetes. However, they are also often very picky and may not eat as much as they need to, leading to complications like hypoglycemia.
Supplementation
In addition to the main meals, supplementation does a lot for these doggies. This will come in particularly handy with debilitating skeletal conditions like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
In this case, we recommend the Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip and Joint Supplement it contains compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, and Coenzyme Q10 which help promote joint functioning including pain relief for associated arthritis.
Eye And Ear Care
Sensory diseases like blindness, deafness, and infections are common with Jack Chis, so you have to take extra measures to ensure they are healthy. For the ears, make a point to clean and dry them properly as part of your grooming routine to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria or fungi.
With the eyes, on the other hand, their large size is the cause of drying and irritation, which could lead to conjunctivitis. Consider using an eye drop like the I Drop Vet Plus Eye Drops For Dogs. It offers lubrication and relieves any irritating dryness. More importantly, it has a high level of moisture to keep inflammation around the eyes at bay.
Exercise
Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas are both very active dogs, and so are their mixed-breed offspring. These doggies love to play and be outdoors. If they do not get this physical and mental stimulation, they tend to get frustrated and may resort to destructive behavior.
Grooming A Jack Chi
The coat characteristics of a Jack Chi mix are the biggest determinants of what grooming needs your furry little buddy will have. This includes the coat type, shedding trends, color, as well as sensitivity of the underlying skin. Let’s take a look at how these factors contribute.
When it comes to coat type, Jack Chi doggies more often than not take after the Jack Russell Terrier’s side of the family with thick, short, and straight coats. For the most part, these are pretty low maintenance as they shed minimally and rarely develop matting.
Therefore, you can easily get away with only brushing your Jack Chi’s fur once a week. Just make sure to use a brush with hard bristles that can get through the thick mane.
The color also determines how easy it is to spot dirt and how often you have to wash the pooch. They usually have light coats with white, tan or golden either as solid colors or part of bicolor or tricolor combinations. This means that when your Jack Chi gets dirty, it will not be easy to hide. Fortunately, a monthly wash is just about all you need to keep them looking clean and fresh.
A tip for this is to use tearless shampoo, given the sensitive nature of the easily irritated and disproportionately large eyes of Jack Chis. Isle of Dogs Tearless Puppy Shampoo would be perfect here. In addition to neutralizing odors and conditioning fur, this cotton-scented shampoo has a tear-free formula.
It is also essential to factor in the sensitive and pest-prone nature of these dogs’ fur. They especially struggle with flea infestations that thrive in the warm and thick coats. In this case, one of the best tools you can have in your arsenal is a good flea comb like the Hartz Groomer’s Flea Comb.
These double-sided combs are fitted with narrow but strong bristles that are close enough together to get fleas and their eggs while still being strong enough for the thick coat.
Are Jack Chis Good Dogs? Temperament Of A Jack Chi
When it comes to temperament, the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is definitely a good dog to have as a family pet. They are fun and very loving and generally easier to manage than feisty Chihuahuas or the occasionally moody Terriers. For a better idea of what you can expect, here are some of the most important personality traits of a Jack Chi.
Affectionate
Chihuahua Jack Russell mixes are very cuddly and are generally very affectionate dogs. They are therefore ideal if you want a cuddly dog that will love you just as much as you love it.
Quiet
Jack Chis rarely bark, which comes as a surprise to many, given the yappy nature of the Chihuahua parent. The designer doggies have a very laid-back personality and do not bark without good reason.
Playful
Chihuahuas and Jack Russell Terriers are very energetic dogs, and so is their mix. The Jack Chi loves nothing more than playtime and, if left to their own devices, would just spend all day playing and exploring.
Smart
These doggies are also pretty smart. This makes it easier to train a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix and to live with, in general, because it has an innate respect for its families and their property.
Mistrusting
Jack Chis can be aggressive with strangers, especially when they feel threatened. For the most part, they entertain interactions with unfamiliar people although they tend to be reserved and suspicious. However, if the interaction gets scary for them, they tend to get aggressive.
Related Questions
How Many Puppies Do Jack Russell Cross Chihuahua Have? Chihuahuas have an average litter size of 2 to 5 puppies, while Jack Russell Terriers can carry between 6 to 10 puppies per pregnancy. The Jack Chi takes mainly after the Terrier side as these are usually the mothers who carry the pups. Their average litter size is eight puppies, but the number can be higher or lower.
How Much Is A Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix? If you choose to buy your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix from a professional breeder, you may have to pay between $200 and $750. They are much cheaper to get from shelters or dog adoption agencies where you can get them for as little as $150 or even absolutely free if you are lucky.
Are There Deer Head And Apple Head Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix? The deer head and apple head shapes are often associated with Chihuahuas’ physical characteristics. Jack Chi mixes, however, tend to take after the Jack Russell Terrier parent with a more rectangular head and face structure. Despite this trend, it is possible to have a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix with the apple head shape type, although these are very rare mix breeds.
