A Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix, also known as the Jack Chi or the Jackahuahua, is, you guessed it, a cross between a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua! These pups are small, standing at only 15 inches in height, but they certainly don’t lack personality. Feisty and fun, this cute little lap dogs will keep you on your toes and constantly entertained.
Perfect in a home with adults or those with older children, the Jack Russell Chihuahua is a great companion to many. If you’re interested in seeing whether this designer dog might be for you, take a look below.
History Of The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix
A Jack Chi dog is the result of crossing a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua and they are usually bred for companionship. Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes normally take the loyal traits from their Chihuahua parent, and the lively and energetic characteristics from their Jack Russell parent.
Due to the fact the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is a hybrid dog, they are not recognized by any major Kennel Clubs, including the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, they are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry and have been since 2009.
Breed Origin
It is difficult to know where the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix came from and their origins are a little unknown. To understand more about this little dog we can take a look at the origins of their parent breeds.
The Jack Russell Terrier was developed in the 19th century by Parson John Russell in Southern England. The breed is named after Russell. Russell wanted to create a working terrier who would hunt with hounds, fox hunting so the hounds could chase them.
The Jack Russell breed then became very popular with lots of sportsmen, especially horse riders. By the 1930s, the breed was known in the United States too.
The Chihuahua was discovered in the 1850s in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. American visitors to Mexico brought the dog home with them. They became registered with the AKC in 1904 and have been growing in popularity ever since.
Characteristics Of The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix
When the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is bred, the dam will usually be the Jack Russell and the sire will be the Chihuahua. This is down to the different breed sizes of the two dogs. Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix puppies are normally born in litter sizes of between three to five.
Jack Chi puppies are expensive. They can cost anywhere between $150 to $15,000! This reason for the high price tag is normally down to the Chihuahua — they are an expensive breed thanks to their celebrity status.
Because Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes come with such a high price tag, you should certainly check you are buying from a responsible breeder.
Appearance
The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is not a purebred dog, so there is no breed standard. This means that you cannot be completely sure what your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix will look like!
Your Jack Chi may look more like their Jack Russell Terrier parent or more like their Chihuahua parent. Often, these dogs resemble the Jack Russell Terrier more, but sometimes take the shape of the Chihuahua. Their ears can either be erect and pointy or soft and floppy. Either way, these pups normally have large ears.
The Jack Russell Terrier Mix normally stands between 10 to 15 inches in height and weighs between 8 to 18 lbs, with males bigger and heavier than females. They are classed as a small breed.
Coat
The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix has a short, dense coat. They do not shed very much which is great if you don’t want dog hair around your house. However, they are not considered a hypoallergenic breed and are therefore not the pet for those with allergies. Grooming will help keep them in tiptop condition, although we will go into more detail about that later on.
Color
These dogs can come in a range of colors. The most common coat colors are black, white, brown, chocolate, cream, fawn, bi-color and tri-color.
Temperament
Much like we cannot be entirely sure of the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix’s appearance, we can also not be entirely sure what the temperament of your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix will be. Thanks to the Jack Russell Terrier, these dogs normally have high activity levels and love to play! They love to be kept entertained and can be prone to boredom, so you must be sure you can dedicate time to them and give them lots of mental stimulation.
Similarly, the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix loves people and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. If you are out for hours at a time, this dog might not be for you because they can begin to exhibit signs of destructive behaviors, such as barking and chewing.
The Chihuahua can sometimes be a stubborn dog, which can be passed onto the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix. If they inherit this trait, you may find training a bit difficult, but they will eventually learn.
Generally, the Jack Russell Mix is a lively and feisty breed with a fantastic personality. If you want a calm and gentle dog they might not be the pup for your home, but they can certainly give you a lot of love, loyalty and energy!
Lifespan
The Jackhuahua has a relatively long life expectancy thanks to their Jack Russell parent. These dogs can live for between 13 and 15 years on average.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with any dog, the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is prone to some health problems. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- Patella Luxation — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
- Glaucoma — this is when pressure in the eye is abnormally high and the eye is constantly producing and draining fluid.
- Dental Issues — this normally relates to overcrowding. Often, their mouths are just too small to fit all of their teeth in.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix, we can take a look and see what living with one of these dogs on a day-to-day basis is really like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix doesn’t need very much food, due to the fact they are a small breed. Experts recommend you feed the Jackahuahua roughly 40 calories per pound of body weight per day, which equates to around one cup of food. Of course, you should always check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your pup based on their weight.
The Jack Chi is prone to gaining weight, so you should closely monitor what you feed them. Try to keep treats and scraps to a minimum. You can also feed them a food formulated for small dog breeds so you can be sure they are receiving their nutritional requirements. Take a look at the dog food we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog Food
We recommend the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix. This food is specially formulated for small dog breeds and ensures that a pup of this size gets all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. With high-quality protein from chicken, this kibble helps to maintain your Jack Chi’s lean muscles and there are wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit in the recipe too.
Even better, this Life Protection Formula contains a blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that supports immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. There are also no artificial colors or flavors in the recipe.
Exercise
Although they are a small dog, the Jack Chi is an active breed with relatively high energy needs in relation to their size. This is thanks to their Jack Russell parent. These dogs need roughly 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, as well as a lot of playtime!
It is a good idea to keep your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix on a leash when not in an enclosed area. Because of the Jack Russell hunting background, they can be prone to chasing squirrels! You may also find that your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is very inquisitive and interested on their walks. You should encourage this because it is part of their socialization.
Family Compatibility
The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is a fun and feisty dog that loves humans and can make a great family member. They can live very happily in adult only homes, or in homes with older children. This is due to their small size — they can get snappy if they are handled roughly or while playing and are therefore not suitable around small children.
Jack Chi’s are observant and alert dogs that will tell you when something is out of place! They can be a little stubborn or aloof with those they don’t know and can be prone to barking, which is something to think about if you have neighbors.
With their active nature, the Jack Russell Chihuahua is very suited to rural living and will love to go hiking or running in the great outdoors with you. However, they are also suited to city living due to their small size and do not require a lot of space indoors. As long as you can give them plenty of exercise and playtime at the park, they will be happy!
Training
The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is an intelligent breed and training should not be difficult. However, if they inherit a stubborn streak from their Chihuahua parent, then their trainability can be more challenging. You must be patient and stick with it and they will eventually understand!
These dogs respond best to reward based training and positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. You should never get angry or annoyed with your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix because this will make them not want to learn.
These dogs can be a little difficult to housebreak too, but ensuring you establish a routine while they are a puppy will help them to learn.
Socializing
The Jack Russell Mix loves to be around people and is very devoted to their family. However, they can be a little aloof with strangers, often barking, and so socialization from a young age is important.
You should introduce your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix to different sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled way to ensure they learn there is nothing to be afraid of. This will help them to develop into a well-rounded and good mannered pup!
Grooming
Due to the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix’s short coat, they do not have high grooming requirements and fortunately do not shed very much. You will need to brush them a couple of times a week to keep their coat tidy and you can bathe them at home or take them to the groomers twice a year.
A groomer can also help you trim your Jack Chi’s nails when it is needed. You should keep an eye on their ears for signs of infection and remember to brush their teeth regularly. As this breed is already prone to dental issues, keeping their teeth clean will help prevent further issues such as decay and disease.
Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix FAQ’s
How much does a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix cost?
A Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix can set you back anywhere between $150 to $15,000! These are one of the most expensive dogs out there and this is usually thanks to the Chihuahua parent. These dogs are highly sought after because of their celebrity status.
The price of your Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix can vary on the parents pedigree. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can show you health clearances for both parent breeds.
If buying from a breeder is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. There might be a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix who is looking for their forever home!
Is a purebred dog better than a crossbreed dog?
There has been a rise in crossbreeding in recent years. This is because there is a desire to breed dogs with certain characteristics and to get rid of unwanted characteristics within dog breeds. With crossbreeding you can get designer breeds, although some worry that they are more susceptible to health problems.
In fact, in a recent study, there was no indication that mixed breed dogs were more prone to health issues that purebred dogs. The most important thing to look for in your dog is the breeder. They should be a reputable breeder and both the breed parents should be healthy.
Summary
The Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix is a lively and energetic dog that can make the perfect lap dog companion! This feisty little pup is certainly not short of personality and will keep you on your toes. A small breed, they are relatively low maintenance and just require love and attention from you to be happy. They can be prone to separation anxiety and need to be kept entertained, but if you give them enough exercise and affection, they can make a great pet.
Although they are not suited for homes with small children they will thrive in an active household with adults. What do you think, is a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix for you?