Bo-Jack -- Boston Terrier X Jack Russell Terrier

		Bo-Jack
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A. <> Great Britain / Australia -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Bo-Jack

The Bo-Jack is a cross between a Boston Terrier and a Jack Russell Terrier. Note the presence of the terrier on both sides of the family tree. This creates a small to medium-sized dog that knows its own mind and needs plenty of exercise. Although purposeful, the Boston Terrier's influence lends a softer, funnier character to a trained character. But don't take anything for granted. As with any hybrid breed, there's no guarantee of where a puppy's temperament falls on the sliding scale between Jack Russell Terrier and Boston Terrier.

History of the Bo-Jack

The Bo-Jack is what is known as a hybrid or specific cross-breed of dog. Both terms refer to the deliberate mating of two breeds of dog to produce puppies with mixed characteristics on both sides of the family tree. The Bo-Jack seems to be a relatively late player on the hybrid scene. The evolution of the Bo-Jack seems to have a natural progression of tendency towards experimentation, but cannot be pinned down to any particular date or person. We do, however, know a lot about the two parent breeds, with stories going back to the 19th century.

	A little of the Boston Terrier
	As its name suggests, the Boston Terrier originated in Boston, USA. It also goes by the charming name of American Gentleman, due to its gentle nature and good manners. The great-great-grandfather of the breed was a dog called Hooper's Judge, which belonged to a certain Robert Hooper. He bought a Terrier-type dog from another man, and this dog became the founding father of this super-dog breed. Hooper's Judge most often resembled a mix of English Bulldog and English White Terrier, now extinct. He was then crossed with French Bulldogs, the final piece of the puzzle that gave the breed its distinctive features. Originally from the United States, the Boston Terrier was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1893. Since then, the breed has gone from strength to strength, regularly appearing on lists of America's most popular dog breeds.

	Standard of the Boston Terrier
	A little of the Jack Russell Terrier
	On the other side of the Bo-Jack family tree is the Jack Russell Terrier. Their roots go back to around 1819 and a dog owned by Reverend John (Jack) Russell. The Reverend's dog was a female, called Trump. And was most likely a mix of Fox Terrier and English Terrier. Trump proved adept at hunting foxes and passed this talent on to her puppies. By the 1850s, Trump's offspring were very popular with farmers, hunters and poachers. One of the characteristics that has made the breed a success is its courage, but this can make it a handful for inexperienced owners. This is a breed that makes its own decisions and is not easily led. Add to this a powerful prey instinct and life becomes interesting for the unwary owner.

	Standard of the Jack Russell Terrier

Appearance of the Bo-Jack

There's no guarantee as to which parent the Bo-Jack will grow up to be. Some puppies lean towards the pure Jack Russell, some towards the pure Boston Terrier and others halfway. A typical Bo-Jack is compared to a small Boxer, Bulldog or even Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They usually have a rounded skull with a shortened front muzzle, giving them an attractive, almost childlike appearance. The ears can be folded, but often aren't, or are somewhere in between. The coat is generally smooth and short, with waterproof qualities. Most often, the Bo-Jack is bicolored, with white and brindle, brown or black being popular. Both parent breeds share a stocky, compact, muscular body. This is finished off with a tail, fortunately rarely long.

Temperament of the Bo-Jack

Because of their size and sturdiness, it's tempting to think of them as good pets. This is true up to a point. Perhaps more than with other hybrids, it's essential to choose a puppy from a breeder who has a socialization plan in place for puppies. In addition, once the puppy goes to a new home, it's necessary for the owner to commit to continuing this socialization, followed by obedience training. This guarantees a confident dog who is not overly anxious in strange situations, and who is also well behaved. With a good start in life and in the right hands, the Bo-Jack can indeed be a four-legged friend to all family members. But be warned, he's a handsome but hyper bonhomme. When an owner doesn't meet his needs for exercise and mental stimulation, he develops bad habits. These include barking, chewing and destructive behavior, so best to stay away.

Needs and activities of the Bo-Jack

The Boston Terrier is one of America's most beloved pets, and although it was originally bred to be a fighter, there are no signs of aggression. The Jack Russell Terrier is a little exuberant and hyper, but fun and adorable too. The Bo-Jack has the best of both personalities and is an energetic, friendly part of the family that can also protect you from strangers. They tend to be difficult to train, so be prepared to be patient and you may want to call in a professional to handle the more difficult tasks, such as burglary and barking.

Maintenance of the Bo-Jack

The Bo-Jack is easy to groom with its short, hard coat and only requires a stiff bristle brush or wire brush once or twice a week. They only need to be bathed if absolutely necessary, as they stay fairly clean thanks to their waterproof coat. It's best not to wash them too often, as this depletes the skin oils they need to keep their hair and skin healthy. Their ears should be cleaned and checked for earwax, dirt and debris about once a week. In addition, you should brush their teeth several times a week to prevent dental problems.