Cav-a-Jack Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

5.9-8.2 kg

Height

25.4-43.1 cm

Lifespan

12-17 years

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About the Cav-a-Jack

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

Choosing your furry forever friend can be a challenge – especially when you don’t know what breed to opt for. With so many cute and cuddly pawsome pups out there, where can you begin?

The Cav-a-Jack is a crossbreed, mixing the humble King Charles Spaniel and Jack Russell Terrier. Both dogs are small, huggable, excitable breeds.

Read on to find out how the Cav-a-Jack gives the best of both worlds and whether this is the unique furry friend you’ve been looking for!

What is the history & origin of the Cav-a-Jack?

As they are a newer breed, there isn’t too much history behind the Cav-a-Jack. They originate from a unique mix of both Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Jack Russel Terrier parents. The best way to learn about newer breeds is to know the history of their parents.

Jack Russell Terriers were first bred in England in the 1800s. Due to their speed and willingness to work alongside humans and other dogs, they were mainly bred for fox hunting.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is another breed that was first bred in England. This iconic looking dog was a favourite of English Royalty, especially amongst their namesake, King Charles I!

What is a Cav-a-Jack breed?

The Cav-a-Jack is a newer mixed dog breed from Jack Russell Terrier and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s parents.

As you might expect from a designer dog breed, the Cav-a-Jack consists of the best traits of its parent breeds. It is highly energetic and loves to play but can also be extremely affectionate to its family members.

They have adorable faces and are most commonly found with white and brown mixed coats. If you are looking for an energetic addition to your home, the Cav-a-Jack is the perfect breed!

Who is a Cav-a-Jack best for?

Due to their energetic nature and love of playtime, Cav-a-Jacks are best suited for active families. They are surprisingly energetic for such a small breed and love running around gardens and investigating new toys.

Cav-a-Jacks are prone to separation anxiety and will regularly crave companionship, so they aren’t ideal for owners who often work away from home. They get along with most dogs, but they aren’t a particularly cat-friendly breed.

Cav-a-Jack Grooming & Shedding

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for long hair that requires regular grooming. However, due to the Cav-a-Jack also inheriting from a Jack Russell Terrier, they aren’t as high maintenance as their King Charles parents.

Typically, you will need to groom your Cav-a-Jack at least once a week during the warmer months. When winter kicks in, the Cav-a-Jack can be prone to shedding, so you may want to bring out the brush more often.

As with other dogs, the Cav-a-Jack will need its nails trimmed. Their teeth will also require regular cleaning.

Do Cav-a-Jacks bark a lot?

Cav-a-Jacks tend to be more physical than noisy in terms of barking, especially when playing. They can be prone to yapping to get their owner’s attention, but they aren’t known for being a loud breed. Although they are curious, your Cav will rarely bark at people it spots through your window.

What is the average weight & height of a Cav-a-Jack dog?

Weight

Due to their smaller size, you can also expect this mixed breed dog to be fairly light when fed the correct amount of food. A fully-grown male Cav-a-Jack will typically weigh anywhere between 5.9 and 8.2kg!

Size

The Cav-a-Jack is typically a fairly small dog. As both its Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Jack Russell parents are also small, you can expect a fully-grown Cav-a-Jack to be around 25.4 to 43.1cm.

Their short to medium-length coat doesn’t disguise their size, and their bodies tend to be muscular, as opposed to stocky, which can emphasise their small size!

Are Cav-a-Jacks easy to train?

Training your dog is incredibly important, especially if you want to avoid unwanted behaviour such as constant barking and biting. The best way to ensure your dog is properly trained is to start whilst they are still young.

Cav-a-Jacks aren’t a particularly intelligent breed, and their high energy levels do mean they will often run away to play. However, they are an incredibly curious breed which is an excellent trait to look out for when training dogs.

Letting your Cav-a-Jack know that biting is bad when playing is important as this breed is prone to chew toys and even owners’ hands when they are young.

If you are worried about training your dog, then consider checking out your local vets and dog groomers. Many places will offer dog training courses so you can ensure your canine friend grows into an affectionate member of the family!

How do Cav-a-Jacks behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Cav-a-Jack is easily one of the most energetic mixed breed dogs available today. They love to run around their homes and play with their owners regularly, which is why they are best suited to homes with a garden.

As they can grow incredibly close with their owners, the Cav-a-Jack dog breed is prone to separation anxiety. They generally require high levels of attention and struggle to keep happy if they are left in their homes alone – consider pairing them up with similar dogs if you’re away!

However, keep in mind that they’re not the most cat-friendly breed out there. Most Cav-a-Jack’s will see your feline friend as a toy or something to play with and will regularly chase your cat around the house.

If you are looking for a companion dog for your home and you can offer a Cav-a-Jack the exercise it requires, this is an excellent breed. They are the perfect choice for large families and active owners!

Does the Cav-a-Jack have any common health issues?

As the Cav-a-Jack are prone to a few common health issues found in their parent breeds, such as:

Lens Luxation: A condition where the lens of the eye becomes dislocated, which can lead to vision problems.
Deafness: Some Cav-a-Jacks may be susceptible to hearing issues.
Cataracts: This condition involves clouding of the eye lens and can affect vision.
Knee Issues: Conditions like patellar luxation, where the kneecap dislocates, can lead to mobility problems.

Issues with their knees, such as Patellar Luxation

Vaccinations, regular veterinary checks and parasite treatment are always recommended by veterinarians.

What is the lifespan of a Cav-a-Jack?

Most smaller breeds can live for many years, and thankfully, the Cav-a-Jack is no different. You can expect at least 12 to 17 years of fun with your Cav-a-Jack companion.

How much does a Cav-a-Jack need to be fed?

Much like dog grooming, feeding is an extremely important consideration pet lovers will need to make before they adopt a new companion. Cav-a-Jack’s are fairly simple in terms of what they like to eat and how often.

Generally, your Cav-a-Jack will require around two medium-sized meals a day, with a preference for a combination of both wet and dry food.

As this is a small energetic breed, overeating should be avoided where possible. Be sure to set up a solid feeding routine, so your Cav-a-Jack knows when it’s time to eat and rest!

How much can you expect to pay for a Cav-a-Jack in Australia?

When looking to adopt a new family member, we would highly recommend you only adopt from reputable breeders and shelters. This way, you can ensure that your dog is vaccinated and that both the dog and its parents have been cared for.

With this in mind, how much can you expect to pay to adopt a Cav-a-Jack? As they are a new breed, with King Charles Spaniel parentage, Cav-a-Jacks can be quite pricey – an average Cav-a-Jack puppy will set you back around $2,000 to $3,500.

Cav-a-Jack FAQs

Can Cav-a-Jack dogs swim?

As the Cav-A-Jack has a Jack Russell Terrier parent, it tends to enjoy paddling in shallow water. Almost all terrier breeds love water sports, so you can expect your Cav-A-Jack to rush into any nearby streams or lakes.

Do Cav-a-jack dogs suffer from separation anxiety?

Each dog has its own unique personality, although there are common traits among dogs of the same breed. Separation anxiety is a fairly common trait in Cav-a-Jacks, so they are best suited for families or owners who work from home!

Are Cav-a-jacks a good fit for first-time dog owners?

Much like Jack Russell Terriers and similar dog breeds, Cav-A-Jacks love to spend as much time with humans as possible. This makes them an ideal first-time dog, especially as they don’t require a specialist living environment or diet!