Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix: Your Complete Guide
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes, otherwise known as the Jack Chi or Jackhuahua, are a combination of a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua. They’re medium-sized dogs that have a short coat, dark eyes, and a short neck.
These dogs have become popular over the last few years as more people want the personality of a Chihuahua but in a larger dog. Plus, some people prefer the throaty bark of a Jack Russell compared to the high-pitched yap of the Chihuahua.
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are straightforward dogs without much variation. You’re getting the personality of a Jack Russell and Chihuahua placed into the body of one dog, so expect to see personality traits from each breed. That said, if you’re unfamiliar with both breeds or just curious about the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix, we have you covered.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix.
Quick Look at the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 15 inches tall, 10-20 pounds |
| Coat Type | Dense, multi-color |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Playful, alert, vocal, outgoing |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-16 years |
What Is the History of Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes?
The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix has been around for a few decades, but it’s one of the more recent dog breeds to hit the scene. For this reason, not much information is available about the breed’s history. Still, many breeders guess that Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes came around 10-30 years ago, sometime in the late 20th century.
While not much is known about the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix, more is known about the dog’s parent breeds. Jack Russell terriers have been around since the 1800s and have been used for hunting in the past before becoming more traditional house dogs over time. Today, Jack Russells are still popular dogs and you can find them from reputable breeders.
On the flip side, Chihuahuas have an even longer history. The breed is thought to have originated in the 9th century in Mexico because many old artifacts represent the breed. Today, Chihuahuas haven’t changed much and continue to be small dogs that are beloved by their owners.
Regardless of where they came from, the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is a designer breed today. They’re not always easy to find but you might get lucky if you check your local shelter.
What Do Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Look Like?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes look like, well, Chihuahua and Jack Russells combined. They’re larger than your average Chihuahua and have strong muscular bodies accompanied by a short neck, triangular head, and big dark eyes.
The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix also has the ears of a Chihuahua. They’re pointy, triangular, and protrude out from the dog’s head. This head is dome-shaped and they have short tails that sometimes curve up.
While the body structure comes from the Chihuahua, it’s clear that most of its body features come from the Jack Russell. It’s also important to note that their coat colors can range from white and brown to gray and black. Most colors are on the table for the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix.
What Size Is a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix?
The Jack Russell Chihuahua is a larger dog than a Chihuahua, but that doesn’t mean they’re big. Typically, they’re small or medium-sized dogs that can weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds.
Their height tends to max out at 15 inches but some Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes have been bigger. The sex of the dog also plays a role in their height. Typically, males are larger than females.
What Is a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix’s Coat Type and Length?
The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix has a short, dense coat that’s soft to the touch. It’s usually straight and can vary in color. The hair on their tail and face is the same as the rest of their body and you don’t have to worry about any thick or dense undercoats.
What Is a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix’s Temperament?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are some of the friendliest dogs you can find. They love to interact with people and get to know strangers over time. Plus, their favorite activities include walking, exploring their surroundings, and playing games with their owners. This outgoing and upbeat temperament is what makes them one of the more popular designer dog breeds.
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes also have a spunky and rebellious side. While they’re not aggressive, it’s important to show them that you’re the head of the household or you’ll end up with trouble on your hands. Therefore, socialization and training are important from a young age.
You’ll also notice some other aspects of their temperament that they inherit from their parent breeds. For example, some Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes might behave more like a Chihuahua than a Jack Russell. Ultimately, it depends on the dog.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Good With Kids?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are great with kids. While they can be standoffish towards strangers at times, this doesn’t apply to members of the family. They rarely get aggressive with children and you can train away bad behaviors if they start to act hostile towards your child.
That said, they are small to medium-sized dogs, so keep an eye on them when they’re playing with your child. Failing to do so can result in injury to your dog or your child.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Good With Other Animals?
Jack Russells are usually good with other animals. They’re great with larger animals but might get feisty with some other dog breeds. On the other hand, Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes may chase small animals around. This depends on how many genes they inherit from Jack Russells because Jack Russells used to be hunting dogs with a strong prey drive.
The good news is that you can leverage socialization training from a young age to avoid any problems with animals.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Aggressive?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are not aggressive dogs. They won’t get aggressive with strangers or other animals unless provoked. Furthermore, it takes a lot to get on their bad side. Still, you can aggravate them and cause them to become feisty or rebellious.
Even in these cases, it’s rare that they get aggressive. As with other behaviors, focus on intensive training to remove aggressiveness if it’s something you notice.
Do Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Bark?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are not the biggest barkers. They’re quieter than Chihuahuas and won’t bark unless provoked.
However, if they notice that something is wrong around their home it might trigger them to bark. This also makes them good watchdogs. Because of their lack of barking, Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are suitable for most living situations, even apartments.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Affectionate?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are affectionate dogs. They’re small enough to sit in your lap or climb into your bed. When they’re not looking for cuddles, you’ll find them getting your attention with a toy for playtime or being a loyal and protective dog.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Intelligent?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are smart dogs. While they’re not as smart as some of the smartest breeds, they possess about-average intelligence that allows them to learn new things, understand their environment, and memorize a wide range of commands and tasks. Their intelligence also makes them perfect for service dog work if you need help with a disability.
General intelligence aside, the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is also emotionally intelligent. These dogs can read people and provide comfort when necessary, which makes them great for therapy dogs or emotional support animal work.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Energetic?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are energetic dogs. It’s important to help them achieve 60 minutes of exercise daily to avoid the risk of heart disease and obesity. You can help them get exercise by taking them on walks or by playing with them. Games like fetch and anything else that involves running are the best ways to expend some of their energy.
The Jack Russell Chihuahua also needs mental stimulation to be happy. Focus on training them to satisfy their mental needs.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Easy to Train?
The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is an easy dog to train but you have to start young. Starting at 3-6 months old ensures that you have plenty of time to build a healthy foundation for them. Use treats for positive reinforcement to take your dog’s training to the next level and avoid yelling or getting aggressive with a Jack Russell Chihuahua mix – this goes for any dog breed.
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are smart dogs, so you can train them to do just about anything. They can memorize complex commands and learn to solve puzzles; even agility training isn’t off of the table with a Jack Russell Chihuahua mix.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Good Watchdogs?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are good watchdogs because they won’t bark at everything walking past your home. This breed will only alert you when something important is happening outside. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about peaking outside your window every time they bark.
That said, their small size doesn’t make them the best guard dog. While they’re brave, they won’t deter any threats.
Are Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Good Service Dogs?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are rare to see as service dogs; this comes down to many factors including their size, trainability, and personality. While it’s rare to see this breed as a service dog, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find or have one as a service dog. Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are smart enough to learn a wide range of tasks, so you can train them to do service dog work that includes:
- Fetching medications
- Reminding people when it’s time to take medications
- Opening some doors
- Guiding people through crowds
- Fetching help when someone is having a seizure
These are only a few examples of tasks that Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes can handle. Depending on the needs of the individual, this breed can be a service dog for other disabilities.
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes also make great emotional support animals (ESAs). They’re great at bonding with people and have the emotional intelligence to recognize when someone is feeling anxious, depressed, or unhappy. Therapy dog work is also suitable for this breed and entails caring for large groups of people in settings like schools, nursing homes, and hospitals.
How to Care for a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes aren’t hard to care for once you get the hang of it. The first thing you have to do is set them up with a vet that you trust. Then, take them to the vet to get all of their shots and continue going every year. This ensures that they remain happy and healthy, which helps you catch any problems before they get worse.
When it comes to grooming, the Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is a low-maintenance dog. You don’t have to worry about frequent shedding or needing to brush their hair or teeth daily.
Some other quick care tips include making sure they get plenty of exercise and feeding them a healthy diet.
Do You Need to Groom a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix?
Yes, you need to groom a Jack Russell Chihuahua. In fact, you need to groom almost every breed, the difference comes down to how often. For the Jack Russell Chihuahua, you need to brush their teeth weekly and clip their nails monthly.
As for their coat, brush it once a week and give them a bath when their coat gets dirty. If you don’t notice dirt or debris on their coat, bathing them once a month is enough to keep them clean.
Do Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Shed?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes aren’t the most frequent shedders. They will shed consistently throughout the year but you won’t be finding hair all over your home. Vacuuming a few times a week is enough to keep the hair at bay.
What Health Problems Do Jack Russell Chihuahuas Have?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes are healthy dogs that don’t face many health issues. Unfortunately, they do inherit some health issues from the Chihuahua or Jack Russell terrier. Therefore, look for conditions like:
- Hip Dysplasia: Problems with hip joint growth that results in inflammation and pain
- Heart Problems: Due to obesity, old age, and lack of exercise
- Hypoglycemia: Due to poor diet and lack of exercise
- Patellar Luxation: This can happen in old age and results in the knee joint slipping out of place, which causes a lot of pain
- Tracheal Collapse: Results due to old age and can make it impossible for your dog to breathe
To prevent health issues from happening, take your Jack Russell Chihuahua mix to the vet often. Also, make sure they get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy diet.
How Long Do Jack Russell Chihuahua Mixes Live?
The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix has an average lifespan that ranges from 10 to 16 years. There is a wide range because it depends on the genes that the dog inherits. For example, Jack Russell terriers live for 12-14 years, whereas Chihuahuas last for 12 to 18 years. Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes with more Chihuahua than Jack Russell will typically live longer.
What Should a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix Eat?
Jack Russell Chihuahua mixes should eat a healthy diet that consists of high-quality foods from premium brands. Opting for store brands might be cheaper, but it’s not the better option for your Jack Russell Chihuahua mix.
Some guidelines to follow include feeding them a diet of roughly 500 to 600 calories per day split up into two separate meals. Splitting their meals will help you develop a feeding routine. However, puppies should eat more frequently to avoid issues with growth.
When it comes to the type of food, focus on feeding them kibble or wet food that contains beef, chicken, eggs, fish, lamb, or turkey. Having meat in their diet ensures they get enough protein.
Is a Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix the Right Dog for Me?
The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix are sweet, quiet, and playful dogs. They’re suitable for most living situations, so the breed is a good fit for most people who want a dog. In fact, even first-time dog owners do well with this brand because they’re not high maintenance.
As long as you pay attention to their grooming needs and feed them a healthy diet, you don’t have much to worry about.
The only time you should consider a different breed is if you dislike small dogs or want a dog that will have a specific role for your family. If you need a dog that will guard a property or function as a service dog, you might be better off with a larger breed.
That said, like most dog breeds, your time with a Jack Russell Chihuahua is what you make of it. Every dog is different, so spend plenty of time with them before adopting to be sure they’re a good match.