Jack Chi (Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix): a Small and Active dog

The Jack-Chi is a cross of a purebred Chihuahua and a purebred Jack Russell, also known as the Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix. It's a small dog breed at about 12 to 15 inches tall, weighing between 8 to 18 pounds. The lifespan of the Jack-Chi is around 13 to 18 years.

This friendly and bouncy little guy is a joy to have in most homes. I’m excited for you to learn more about him!

Physical Traits of the Jack Chi

Most Jackhuahuas are crossed from the Jack Russell Terrier. But sometimes the parent will be the Parsons Russell Terrier. Both of these breeds look alike. So the hybrid doesn’t have many differences once mixed with the Chihuahua.

So what do they look like?

The Jack Chi has a coat that is short, dense, and rough.

If the cross was developed from a long-haired Chihuahua, then its fur could be longer.

They come in many colors like black, cream, fawn, golden, white, or even a mixture of all of these.

Both male and females are very similar in size and weight. As mentioned above adult Jack Chi will stand between 12 – 15 inches (24 cm – 38 cm) and weigh 8 – 18 pounds (8.2 kg – 12.8 kg). This is the average, but, some have been reported to be as short as 10 inches (25 cm) at the shoulder!

They have an elongated, muscular body, but a short neck. A triangular head adorned with large, loveable, brown eyes.

Their ears are like the Chihuahua’s in length. And they can share the same erect feature, or the ears can curl-over like the Terrier.

Jackhuahua’s tail is usually long, a little fluffy and may end in a knot.

The feet are round, small and dainty.

What Are Jack Chi’s Temperament and Personality Like?

In general, this is an energetic and friendly dog. It's so affectionate and playful that it’ll even become friends with strangers. So if you’re looking to your Jack Chi to inform you of intruders, don’t hold your breath.

Not to say that they’re not alert, because they are. They just aren’t going to scare anyone and may not even bark to let you know someone’s arrived.

They sometimes do howl, which is pretty neat to hear. Check out this video:

The Jackhuahua is sweet, fun-loving, intelligent, and hyper. But when it’s time to rest, they’ll be eager to snuggle right beside you.

They may tend to bond closely with one family member and become overprotective of them.

Chihuahuas are known for being overly nervous at times. So it’s possible for your Chihuahua-Jack Russell mix to inherit this trait. Early training and socialization will help here.

The Jack Russell is a hunting dog with a strong prey drive. So your hybrid may also be fond of smelling everything and letting his nose take him places.

Mostly he’s a fun-loving dog that you'll enjoy being around.

Jack Chi Training and Exercise Tips

Like the Jack Russell Terrier, the Jack Chi mix is a stubborn breed. So you’ll need to be a strong-willed owner who will have “pack leader” status.

They’re tough little guys and not easily trained, because his instinct is to be in charge.

They also like to chew everything in site that can fit in their mouth. You can thank the Chihuahua in the for this trait.

So start training early as a puppy to help him learn quicker. And remember always to remain patient and consistent.

If your Jack Chi isn’t obeying your commands, you may need the instill some help. A professional trainer or obedience classes may work better.

How About Exercise?

Packed full of energy, these little dogs will hardly tire out. So they do need exercise and mental stimulation.

As their owner, you’ll need to dedicate enough time every day for exercise and playtime.

Your Jack Chi would love to play ball with you or go for a long walk or even a jog. If you have an enclosed yard, it’s okay to let him run around unleashed. Ideally, he would love to explore 10 miles a week, or a 120 minutes a day.

Competing in dog sports would be a great and rewarding way to focus your Jackhuahua’s energy. He’s likely to succeed in areas of agility, acrobatics, tricks, and swimming.

Grooming and Caring For a Jackhuahua

Caring for a tiny Jack Chi puppy will require a gentle hand. Teach small children to handle them with extreme care and always be sure to supervise them.

Jackhuahua puppies love to chew. So provide them with proper toys and teach him that they are the only thing that is okay for him to chew on.

Watch this video to see how full of energy these puppies are. You’ll also get a glimpse of their chewing nature:

As far as grooming goes, it should be pretty easy. Brushing your dog with a hard-bristled brush one to two times weekly is all he should need.

If your mix inherited a wild coat from its long-haired Chihuahua parent, then brushing may be required several times a week. And a haircut will need to be scheduled every few months.

Brush their teeth at least twice a week, with a toothbrush, or cloth and doggie toothpaste.

Ears should be cleaned by wiping them carefully once a week.

Keep an eye on his nails. If they aren’t being trimmed down naturally, then carefully do so as needed with clippers.

Are You The Right Owner For This Breed?

The Jack Chi is best suited for a variety of people including singles, and families with children or other pets.

They do well in small spaces and are perfect for apartments and condo living. A yard isn’t necessary, but remember that activity is!

Jack Russells can jump high. So, if you’ll be leaving your Jackhuahua outdoors unsupervised in a fenced-in area, make sure the walls are tall enough so he can’t climb or jump over them.

Also, have the fence buried in the ground a few inches to prevent him from digging an escape route.

As far as climate goes, he doesn’t like the cold and has a higher tolerance to heat.

As I’ve mentioned already, the Jack Chi owner should be dedicated, responsible, patient, experienced, and a strong leader.

Are There Any Common Health Concerns?

The Chihuahua Jack-Russell mix is a hardy breed.

He may be extra sensitive to insect bites, and may also suffer from dental problems and different allergies.

Some other possible issues that you should be aware of are:

• Patellar Luxation
• Hypoglycemia
• Heart Problems
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (both parents are prone to it)
• Collapsed Trachea
• Deafness
• Open Fontanel Hydrocephalus

Both the Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahuas can live long lives. So you should expect your Jack Chi to have a lifespan of 13-18 years as mentioned in the fist paragraph.

The Jack Chi Diet

There’s a chance he’ll be a picky eater, but usually, these dogs are happy eating whatever you decide to give them.

Remember the issue with soy, so buy only high-quality dog food and check labels. Stick to dry food, as Chihuahuas are prone to dental diseases and dry food will help with teeth cleaning.

If the food does contain soy, keep a close eye on your dog, checking for reactions.

One cup per day split into two meals should be all that’s required.

Registering the Jack Chi

The AKC is currently not accepting mixed breed dogs into their standard registry.

But, if you have a talented Jack Chi and want him to take part in AKC sports events and competitions, you can sign him up through their PAL (Purebred Alternative Listing) listing.

Hybrids are recognized by the following clubs:

• American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
• International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
• Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)

On the Hunt for A Jack Russell Chihuahua Mix

So you’ve decided on the Jack Chi as your next pet. Great!

If you’re in the US and want to adopt, then you can try out this website. There’s also a rescue in Florida.

In the UK you can check out this site which lists Chihuahua crosses for adoption.

If you’d rather buy a Jack Chi in the UK, then you may have luck through Gumtree, Preloved, or Pets4homes.

I did find a UK breeder who ships internationally.

There are even some Jack Chi puppies for sale in Australia and Canada.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any breeders in the U.S.

How Much Do They Cost?

The cost of a Jack-Russell Chihuahua mix puppy can be anywhere between $200 and $750. With the latter being from a reputable breeder, of course.

Before bringing one home, remember that he’ll need other things too. Like a crate, carrier, food bowls, grooming supplies, chew toys, a collar, and leash. And, of course, a cute little sweater if it gets too cold where you live.

You'll need to take him to the veterinarian right away for a checkup. There they may get blood work, vaccinations, a dewormer, a microchip. Of course, these things cost money too.

Additional Support

If you’re a reader and want to know everything there is to know about this breed, you can check out this Jack Chi book.

To interact with other owners, you can join this Facebook group or this one here.

If you want to learn about other Chihuahua Terrier mixes, you can check out our other article that features several of these breeds.

Is Your Home Ready For The Spunk?

So we’ve learned that the Jack Chi is a demanding little dog that requires a lot of mental and physical activity. It can either be a good or bad thing, depending on your lifestyle.

They’re friendly and loyal. But can become possessive and show aggression or separation anxiety.

So I think this breed isn’t for everyone. But they’ll definitely make some homes a better place to be with all the liveliness and joy they bring and a solid lifespan.

Do you own a Jack Chi? Share your experience with us below!