If you love the intelligent, loyal and affectionate nature of the Dachshund and the energetic, curious and adventurous nature of the Jack Russell terrier, you can adopt a cross of the two breeds. Knowing what a Jackweenie is can help you know how to groom and care for the dog.
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What Is a Jackweenie?
A Jackweenie, also known as Jackshund, is a cross between a dachshund and a Jack Russell terrier. It is a medium-sized designer dog that weighs around 15 to 22 pounds with a standing height of 8 to 23 inches. Although small, it’s an energetic dog with high exercise requirements.
However, the physical appearance of Jackshunds varies widely due to the significant physical differences between the Dachshund and the Jack Russell terrier. Depending on the dominant genes, you can expect your Jackweenie to have the following physical and behavioral attributes.
Size and Weight
Dachshunds are generally small dogs, while the JRTs are usually medium-sized. As a result, the mix between these two dog breeds results in a dog that ranges from small to medium size, depending on the dominant genes. Jackweenies weigh about 15 to 28 pounds with a standing height of around 8 to 23 inches.
The mix is relatively larger than a standard Dachshund and smaller than a JRT. You can expect the smaller versions to have dominant genes from the Dachshund and the larger ones from the JRT parent. Unlike other dog breeds, there is minimal difference between the physical size and weight of Jackshund males and females.
These dogs tend to have an elongated spine resembling the Dachshund. However, their bodies tend to look stocky and muscled like their Jack Russell terrier parents. The ears are usually long and floppy, and the paws are large and paddle-like.
Coat
Usually, the Dachshund parent has three coat types, making it challenging to tell what coat the mix will inherit. As a result, you can expect your Jackweenie to have wiry fur, a smooth coat, or long silky hair, depending on the Dachshund parent.
These dogs also tend to have coarse-textured coats resembling the Jack Russell terrier. A Jackweenie can be single or double-coated depending on the dominant genes.
The coat is generally short to medium length with a wide range of shades and colors such as black and tan, white with markings of different shades, or red, cream, and white.
Grooming
Usually, the grooming requirements of a Jackshund depend on whether it has inherited the coat of a Dachshund or the JRT. Keeping in mind that JRTs have thick coats that protect them from weather elements, Jackweenies with this type of coat handle the cold and hot weather better.
On the other hand, you might need to provide your Jackweenie with a dog coat to keep it warm during the cold weather if its coat resembles that of the Dachshund. A Jackweenie might have the following grooming requirements depending on the inherited coat.
- Brushing: Consider brushing your Jackshund coat around two to three times a week. Usually, a longer coat requires more frequent brushing than shorter ones. If your dog has a wiry coat, consider getting a professional to strip the coat regularly
- Teeth: There are higher chances of giving your Jackshund treats during training, raising the risks of teeth problems. It’s advisable to brush your dog’s teeth daily or around four times a week to prevent oral issues
- Bathing: Although your Jackshund might be exercising regularly, it’s not advisable to bathe daily as this can affect the dog’s delicate skin. Instead, bath the dog once after four to six weeks or when it has become smelly
- Ears: Usually, the dog’s ears are sensitive and prone to infections. It’s advisable to clean and dry your dog’s ears after a bath
- Eyes: When bathing the dog, avoid throwing water over the face to clean the white substance that tends to form around the corners of the dog’s eyes. Instead, use a clean damp cloth to wipe the dog’s eyes. If this substance seems hard, you can use a wet cotton wool ball to clean out the particles
- Nails: Usually, Jackshund’s nails grow long and might affect the dog’s movement. Consider trimming the dog’s nails around one time a month. However, if you are a new dog owner, it’s advisable you get a professional groomer cut the nails to avoid hurting the dog
Temperament
Keeping in mind that the Jack Russell terrier parent was initially bred for hunting, the Jackweenies have strong hunting instincts and tend to run after small prey in the backyard. The hunting instincts also make these dogs territorial and protective, and they might not be friendly toward strangers.
Typically, this makes Jackweenies great watchdogs. However, they are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, they can be well-behaved and friendly around children with proper training and early socialization. Jackweenies can be aggressive when provoked, and it’s not advisable to leave them with children unsupervised.
Exercise Requirements
Jackweenies are energetic dogs requiring intense exercises to help them release excess energy. Failing to exercise these dogs makes them develop destructive behaviors, such as scratching furniture as they try to expend energy.
Engage the dog in around 60 to 90 minutes of walking or 30 to 45 minutes of hiking or jogging. You can also engage the dog in games that can give your dog mental stimulation, such as high-intensity fetch games.
However, Jackshunds are adventurous dogs, and you should keep them on the leash during exercises to prevent them from running away. Although small, they tend to jump, and your backyard needs a higher fence if you want the dog to be off-leash.
Training
The strong territorial instincts of Jackweenies make them stubborn and challenging to train. The best solution is to start training the dog from an early age. You should also be patient and consistent with the training, even if the dog seems stubborn.
The tendency of Jackweenie to want to dominate makes it react negatively to punishments and might become aggressive when you punish it. Instead, use positive reinforcement training methods such as giving the dog treats when it obeys the command. This encourages the dog to do right without provoking it when it does wrong.
Health
Generally, Jackweenies are healthy dogs with a life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years. However, since these dogs are a cross between two distinct dog breeds, they are prone to the following health conditions depending on the inherited genes.
- Patellar luxation: Patellar luxation is a health condition where the kneecap slips out of its groove, causing pain and discomfort. Usually, this condition affects the Dachshunds, making Jackshunds prone as well.
- Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a health problem where the hip joint grinds in the socket, leading to pain and even paralysis. Hip dysplasia mainly affects the JRTs and might affect Jackweenies also.
- Eye problem: Both parents are prone to cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, making Jackweenies prone as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Jackweenie Recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Jackweenies are not recognized by the American Kennel Club since the club only recognizes purebred dogs and not mixes. However, the mix is recognized by other organizations, such as the Dog Registry of America.
Can I Travel With a Jackweenie?
You can travel with a Jackweenie since the dog is primarily developed to be a companion dog. Their curious nature and love for adventure make them motivated when traveling, making them great travel dogs.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what a Jackweenie is can help you understand the size and weight to expect when the dog matures. These dogs are energetic and have high exercise requirements. They are also stubborn and territorial, and you might need to use positive reinforcement training methods.
