Chihuahua and Jack Russell Mix Puppies – Jack Chi (Grooming + Cost)

Last Updated on January 15, 2021 by Dogs Vets

Thinking about getting a new puppy, the Jackhuahua or Jack Chi is the right choice. This mixed breed dog, also known as a designer dog, has many fantastic features.

What is a cross breed between a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua dog?

These two breeds of dogs are very diverse, and when they are put together, the pooch is calmer than that of Jack Russell, but more active than that of Chihuahua.

Here is a summary of what you need to know about the parent breeds:

The Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russells, originally a foxhunting breed from Great Britain, are small dogs in the terrier group. Despite their size (10 to 15 inches at the shoulder and weighing 13 to 17 pounds), they are high-energy dogs known for their speed and endurance.

These dogs are strong willed and extremely 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 to avoid destructive behavior at home. They are very intelligent, but free thinkers, so they are best suited for experienced trainers. They are a healthy breed that comes in two coat varieties: smooth and rough, both of which are easy to maintain.

The Chihuahua Dog Breed

Originally hailing from Mexico, the Chihuahua is one of the most popular lap dog breeds, ranging from 6 to 9 inches tall and weighing 3 to 6 pounds only, these cute small dogs love nothing more than spending time hanging out with their humans. When Chihuahua’s are adopted into a family, they do better with older children. They are often very close with a family member and can be very protective of that person.

Therefore, it is very important to train and socialize this dog at a young age: They are not aware of their small size and can get themselves into dangerous situations if they are not careful! These dogs are not your regular all-weather dogs, and even the long-haired types will need to wear a coat in colder weather.

Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixed Dog

The Chihuahua and Jack Russell Mix is also know as “The Jack Chi” is a mixed breed dog and a cross between the Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua dog breeds. The dog is very friendly, playful and very energetic. These dogs have inherited some of the best characteristics from both parents. The Jack Chi is sometimes referred to as the Jackahuahua and Jackhuahua.

They are considered a designer dog breed that was first crossed in the United States. This mix is most similar in classification to its Chihuahua parent, which is classified as a toy dog. The Jack Russell was originally bred as a working dog, but is much more common as a companion dog these days.

Because this breed is a crossbreed, it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

They can be very sensitive to cold and may not be suitable for a home with small children due to their small size.

For exercise, they need about a half hour to an hour each day and plenty of mental stimulation in the form of toys and playtime.

Jack Chi Dog Breed History

The Jack Chi dog breed, was developed in the USA, was created to fulfill the desire for a dog breed that would be a great companion and meet the demands of modern life. Conjecture suggests that the Jack Chi was first developed a few decades ago – however, there is little verified information about the origin of the mixed breed.

The history of Jack Chi’s ancestral breeds goes back much further. The Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred in Britain in the 19th century and used for hunting purposes before becoming more of the family pet today.

Chihuahua go back even further, with Mexican artifacts from the 9th century portraying the breed.

The Jack Chi represents a designer dog breed, but many sadly end up in shelters. So contact your local rescue groups and shelters if you are considering adding the Jack Chi to your home. It is not necessary to buy one from a good breeder.

Chihuahua and Jack Russell Mix Appearance

The Jack Chi is a mix of two small dogs, so you can guarantee it will be small.

Since it is a mix of two breeds, each puppy is slightly different depending on what traits it inherits. They generally have a short, shiny, wiry coat, but sometimes it can be longer if the parent Chihuahua has a longer coat.

Most likely, your Jack Russell Chihuahua mix will have the large round eyes of the Chihuahua on the triangular head of the Jack Russell. Their face is long and terrier-like, but probably thinner than the Jack Russell.

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They may have erect ears like the Jack Russell or floppy ears like the Chihuahua, depending on what they inherit. Their tail will probably curl upward like the Chihuahua. We think this breed will be adorable no matter what traits they inherit!

Chihuahua and Jack Russell Mix Size and weight

When full grown, they are about 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh between about 8 and 18 pounds. This is a very small dog, and for this reason, handling and feeding issues can arise (more on this later).

Colors

Their coat is mostly white, black, cream, dark brown or golden. They can have spots around the eyes and be tri-colored like their Jack Russell parents (an interesting mix of three different coat colors).

Coat

You can expect them to have a short, shiny, wiry coat that is fairly dense. Sometimes, if the Chihuahua parents have a longer coat, they may inherit this trait. If so, they may lose a little more.

Chihuahua and Jack Russell Mix Temperament

This dog is an energetic, playful, intelligent, loving and loyal dog. Both parent breeds are known to be distinctive and the mix will almost certainly create a unique character as well.

Since it is a crossbreed, it inherits different characteristics from each of its parent breeds.

The Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred as a working dog in England. They were bred to hunt foxes, and because of their small size, they were able to fit fox holes. This small dog is extremely energetic and eager to please.

They are very friendly, but need regular socialization and training at a young age. They often want to rule the neighborhood, but consistent positive reinforcement training should help them understand who is boss.

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed, but they have massive personalities. This little dog is full of mischief and attitude. They are prone to nervous, hyperactive behavior.

As you can see from the parents, this mix requires a lot of exercise and a lot of play. Barking is probably a problem for this little guy as he likes to make himself heard.

It will be very important to teach them early in life that barking is not the way to get their way.

As long as they are socialized with other dogs at a young age, you should have no problem with aggression. Puppy parties are always a good idea to teach them the polite way to interact with other dogs and burn off a lot of energy.

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The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is a very friendly breed and although they will probably bond with one person, they will want to be friends with everyone.

Due to their small size and fragile bones, they are not suited for rough handling with small children. Once children are older and learn to behave appropriately with small dogs, they can be introduced to this breed.

Is a Jack Russell Chihuahua mix a good family dog?

If you have small children, this may not be the breed for you due to their small size and fragile bones. Families with older children who are used to being around small dogs will be fine.

How to Train a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix

The best way to train a dog is through positive reinforcement. This is especially true for the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix, as they are very intelligent and content. This breed can sometimes be a little picky with food, so quality reward treats are important for training. Hopefully, your puppy will focus on food as this will make training much easier.

The Jack Russell part of this breed can sometimes lead to innate stubbornness. They love to be in charge!

What is most important here is consistency, patience and repetition of the same training techniques.

Mental stimulation is important to reduce negative behaviors such as barking and hyperactivity. Some Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes may enjoy agility training as they can jump surprisingly high.

Socialization is also very important for this breed. Puppy parties are a great way to introduce your dog to polite ways of playing and interacting with other dogs. Exposing your dog to many people will also help with socialization.

Older children can be socialized with this breed as long as they are taught the proper ways to play and interact with a small dog.

They can also chew a lot, so make sure you provide plenty of good toys to keep them from chewing on things they should.

Caring for a Chihuahua and Jack Russell Mix

Overall, the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is not a difficult dog to care for.

They require about a half hour to an hour of exercise every day, but this doesn’t always have to be a walk. They like to go out, but they will also enjoy running around a yard or the house.

One advantage of this small dog is that you don’t need a garden and they can live happily in apartments. Regular exercise is key to keep destructive behaviors in check.

For grooming, they only need to be brushed once a week because of their short, thick coats.

They do not require a lot of food and may actually be prone to obesity. Therefore, keep an eye on their diet.

Dental problems can sometimes occur with this mix. Therefore, regular cleaning of your puppy’s teeth is recommended. To make it easier on yourself, get into the habit of cleaning their teeth early on, just like cleaning their ears and cutting their nails. Use treats to make these activities fun and comfortable for you and your puppy.

Exercise Requirements

Although this breed needs a lot of exercise, their small size means they get plenty of what they need to get around their home. They love walks and we would recommend taking them out at least once a day for a half hour to an hour.

They can live in an apartment, but if a yard is available, they will enjoy running around there as well.

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This dog can be walked on a leash once they have mastered recall. However, due to its small size and high energy, they can easily get lost. Depending on your puppy’s character, it may be easier and safer to keep them on a leash.

As mentioned above, they may enjoy agility classes (this is a great form of exercise). We would not recommend swimming for this breed as they are very sensitive to cold due to their small size.

Grooming and shedding

The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix usually has a short, dense coat, which means small amounts of shedding.

Sometimes they inherit a slightly longer coat from a Chihuahua parent, which means a little more shed, but still not much.

For this reason, they require minimal grooming (brushing once a week with a hard bristle brush). This will be enough to keep the coat healthy and clean.

Feeding and nutrition

Since they are only a small dog, they don’t need a lot of food.

Once they are full grown, they will only need one cup of high quality dry food per day. You can also mix in some wet food.

Dogs need at least a quarter of their diet as protein. Therefore, be sure to check the meat content of the food. Good quality dry food does not contain food coloring, fats, corn or wheat gluten.

If they are particularly small (under 10 pounds), they may need a little less food.

They may also need less food if they are not very active. Because they are small, they can easily become overweight due to overfeeding. Make sure you keep an eye on their weight. Sometimes this breed can be a bit picky, so you may want to stick to what the breeder feeds your puppy if they eat well.

In terms of calories, you should aim for between 250 and 500 calories per day, depending on their weight.

Health problems

As a crossbreed, they can have problems with both parents.

One of these problems is allergies, especially to long grass (they can present with skin rashes).

They are also prone to dental and eye problems. It is important that teeth are cleaned regularly and that you clean eyes and ears regularly.

If your dog doesn’t like brushing his teeth, adding dental care to his diet is a good option.

These are some of the most common health problems Jack Chis suffers from:

• Patellar Luxation
• Tracheal Collapse
• Heart problems
• Hypoglycaemia
• Deafness

 

jack russell chihuahua mix lifespan

Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes can live an average of 13 to 15 years.

Jack Chi Puppies

The Jack Chi is a small dog, so Jack Chi puppies are also tiny. Be gentle with these dogs and teach your children to be kind to them as well to prevent injury. The more you socialize your puppy and treat them well, the more they will love you and be devoted to your family.

These dogs are known to be chewers. Therefore, be sure to provide your puppy with chew toys. This way, he will learn to handle toys and not things he finds around the house, like shoes or furniture, and these good habits will continue into adulthood. Since it can be difficult to train this breed, it is best to start as early as possible.

Buying a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix

When buying a chihuahua and jack russell mix puppy, your best chance of getting a well-tempered, healthy puppy is to always take your time to find a reputable breeder.

You should be able to meet and interact with both parent dogs, or at least the mother. This will give you an idea of what the puppy’s temperament will be like.

You can ask if the Chihuahua parent is registered with the Kennel Club and request documentation.
However, since Jack Russells are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, you cannot obtain documentation for this part of the mix.

You should also request medical records from the parents and a history of the puppy’s vaccinations, worming and flea treatments until you pick up the puppy.

Check the puppies yourself to see if they are generally clean, with clean eyes and ears. A really good breeder will not be desperate to sell you the puppies. They want them to go to suitable homes. So expect them to ask you questions as well.

How much does a chihuahua and jack russell mix cost?

A Jack Russell Chihuahua mix costs anywhere from $200 to $750.

Jack Chi Dog Characteristics

Breed Characteristics	Jack Russell Chihuahua mix
Body Size:	10 to 15 inches tall
Weight:	8-18lbs
Jack chi Lifespan:	13-15 Years
Coat:	Short length coat that is quite dense
Color:	White, black, cream, dark brown or gold
Do They Shed:	Not very much
Temperament:	Very energetic, loving, and loyal
Intelligence:	Tend to be fairly clever dogs
Socialization:	Need to socialize with dogs and people at a young age
Destructive Behavior:	Excessive barking, chewing, and some hyperactivity
People Skills:	It has a generally good people skills
Adapting with Children:	The dog is not always good with young kids due to their small body size but great with older children
Activity Levels:	Jack chi has a Medium activity levels, will need about half an hour to an hour of exercise per day

 

Reference: Petguide.com