Jack-A-Poo Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

6-11 kg

Height

25-38 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Jack-A-Poo

Reviewed by:

Dr. Dilber Hussain

Veterinarian

Jack a Poos, as their name might give away are bred by crossing Jack Russell terriers with poodles.

They are intelligent pooches, great for families or first-time owners with easy trainability and with a high capacity for loyalty and affection.

A relatively new hybrid to the dog scene, the Jack a poo is yet to be recognised by most international breed organisations, including The Designer Dogs Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club and is currently only recognised by the American Canine Hybrid Club.

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

Appearing on the scene roughly 20 years ago when breeders first decided to cross two pedigrees, namely the Jack Russell and the toy or miniature poodle, they also go by Jack a Doodle.

This mixed breed dog can inherit characteristics from either one of their parent breeds, so the puppies can differ widely even if they are from the same litter. Because of this and their relatively new arrival, they are yet to be recognised by any major international breed organisations, though several small, grassroots breed clubs have been started to make sure they are bred responsibly.

What is a Jack-a-Poo breed?

A new breed on the scene, the Jack a Poo is a cross between the miniature poodle and the Jack Russell terrier. They can show significant differences in appearance because they could inherit either parent’s looks in the first generation.

In general, they are small to medium-sized dogs with flat heads and large, floppy ears, and alertness that they inherit from both parent breeds.

They have strong, compact bodies and some dogs will have longer legs than others, but both have strong paws with firm pads. Depending on which of the dog breeds of their parentage is favoured, they will either have a smooth or coarse coat that can be curly and short or wavy.

Their fur can be seen commonly in the following colours –

Blue
Chocolate
Brown
Cream
Black
Tan
White
Grey

Who is a Jack-a-Poo best for?

Jack a Poos are great all-rounders if properly socialised from a young age and are adaptable to a variety of home situations, whether in a family with children or just a couple or single person home. They cope well both in the city or suburbs and in the countryside.

They would prefer living with an active family and one with older kids who know how to act around dogs who have the potential to become unruly and hard to handle. They love to be included in the family, dislike being left out, and form strong familial bonds.

The Jack Russell terrier in them, they have a high prey instinct and will likely give chase to smaller or strange animals which catch their eye. It’s important to socialise with them from a young age and consistently as they grow up to coach this overly energetic side of them.

They’re best off in homes where they are rarely alone as they can get angsty if left alone for extended periods which can result in them displaying destructive, anxious behaviour.

Jack-a-Poo Grooming & Shedding

Jack a Poos have short coats of hair, meaning they are low maintenance when it comes to grooming.

Brushing them twice a week to remove loose or dead dog hair will keep their sheen but will need stepping up in Spring and Autumn when they shed heavier.

Some Jack a Poo owners will opt to have their pooches professionally clipped to keep their coats tidy.

Do Jack-a-Poos bark a lot?

Taking the lead from their high-energy Jack Russell terrier parents, Jack a Poos can tend to be overly talkative.

They may bark to alert you to a stranger in their territory or because they don’t like something that’s happening near them, but will often bark simply because they feel like it.

This sort of behaviour is best nipped in the bud early on with this dog breed with proper training and early socialisation.

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

The Jack a Poo is a relatively tall but skinny, muscular dog. Both males and females will grow to between 25-38cm and will weigh between 6-11kg.

Are Jack-a-Poos easy to train?

This Jack Russell terrier poodle cross inherits the intelligence of both its parents and excels at a variety of activities, including obedience and agility. That being said they are naturally stubborn and will turn a deaf ear to your commands if the feeling takes them.

The Jack a Poo temperament makes them fast learners which can be great for learning proper behaviour but can also make them prone to imprinting bad habits. For this reason, it’s best to begin their training early in life so they don’t develop small dog syndrome.

When training them, keep sessions quick and entertaining and avoid repetition which they soon find dull. They love positive reinforcement and give high value to treats, but do not take well to heavy-handed techniques.

How do Jack-a-Poos behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Jack a Poo has a sweet but energetic temperament and is great with all age groups provided they receive the correct socialisation.

Their high amounts of energy necessitate owners who are active and committed as they will need a sufficient outlet for their energy lest it starts to manifest as antisocial or destructive behaviour.

They form strong familial ties and don’t enjoy being left alone for any amount of time. Their early socialisation should involve being around new noises, people, and, other dogs and animals once they’ve been vaccinated. This will help them understand their place in the world and curb any behaviour that will stop them from making friends.

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

Jack a Poos are generally healthy dogs, though because they descend from two different dogs they can tend to inherit congenital defects that afflict either of their parent breeds, including –

Jack Russell

Deafness
Late-Onset Ataxia – DNA test available
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) sometimes referred to as Ectopia Lentis – DNA test available
Canine Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) – DNA test available
Posterior luxation
Anterior luxation
Patellar luxation
Arthritis

Miniature Poodle

Addison’s Disease – a condition that negatively impacts a dog’s adrenal glands
Cushing’s Syndrome – a condition where a dog’s adrenal glands overproduce cortisol
Thyroid disease
Chronic active hepatitis – a liver disorder
Seizures – idiopathic epilepsy
Hip dysplasia – test available
Hypothyroidism

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

If cared for properly and fed a nutritious diet appropriate to their age a Jack a Poo can live to between 12-15 years.

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

Make sure as they get older you are keeping tabs on the quality of their food and how often they eat; obesity can cause myriad health issues in dogs later in life and can shorten their life expectancy in any case.

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

Depending on factors such as their parentage and pedigree, a Jack a Poo puppy will generally cost in the region of $1000.

Jack-a-Poo FAQs

How often should I bathe my Jack a Poo?

As this breed can inherit one of two types of fur, their bathing requirements can vary.

If your dog’s hair is more like a poodle’s they will need a bath once a month, if it’s more like a Jack Russel’s they will need bathing only when it’s necessary.

It’s likely that your dog will fall somewhere between these two and will need bathing every 6-8 weeks.

Do Jack a Poos suffer from separation anxiety?

Jack a Poos make great family dogs but because of their social nature do not care for being left alone for any considerable amount of time. They are likely to express this anxiety as destructive behaviour so they are best kept in homes where someone is home regularly.

Can a Jack a Poo swim?

Jackapoos love water and will take to it whenever they can, especially if they need to cool off on a hot day. Because of this, it’s important to be wary of them near risky bodies of water and keep them on a lead if you know them to be drawn to taking a dip.