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Jack Chi |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Mexico -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Jackahuahua
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A brief presentation of the Jack Chi |
| The Jack Chi is a hybrid dog resulting from the crossing of the Jack Russell Terrier and the Chihuahua, and is a fairly new hybrid on the scene. A renewed interest in crossing purebred dogs has been resurrected over the last two to three decades. This hybrid is thought to have been developed during this period, which would have begun in the 1980s or 1990s. A small to medium-sized dog that appears to have been bred for companionship, they have been described as gentle, affectionate, friendly, playful, alert and energetic. They are considered low-maintenance in the grooming and care category, requiring only weekly brushing, unless the Chihuahua breed's parent is of the long-haired variety. In this case, if the long-haired Chihuahua parent has a predominant role in your dog's coat and the coat is longer, brushing may be required several times a week. Bathing is generally done only when necessary to keep the coat clean and fragrant. |
History of the Jack Chi |
| The Jack Chi hybrid is the product of crossing a Chihuahua and a Jack Russell Terrier for family and individual companionship. They are a fairly new hybrid and, as such, there is little history about them beyond the fact that they were developed in the USA. We can only assume that the approximate date of origin falls within the last two to three decades, a regenerative period of crossing and mixing a variety of pure breeds to create these "hybrid" dog breeds. Although there is little historical information on the Jack Chi, a great deal of information is available on its parent breeds, the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier. |
A little of the Jack Russell Terrier |
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| The Jack Russell Terrier originated in the UK in the early 1800s for hunting and tracking purposes. The Jack Russell's small size and compact build made them perfect as they were big enough to track Foxhounds but small enough to "go to ground" and chase foxes from their dens. Today, while their noses are always alert for those unusual and interesting scents, they are mainly used as pets and companion dogs. | ||
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| Standard of the Jack Russell Terrier | ||
A little of the Chihuahua |
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| The Chihuahua breed originated in Mexico and dates back to the 9th century, when images of a Chihuahua-like dog were found in artworks, writings and other artifacts. Although the Chihuahua's origin story remains shrouded in folklore, it is thought to have been developed in ancient Mexico as a dwarf companion dog. This parent breed first appeared in the United States around 1850 and has been firmly established ever since. | ||
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| Standard of the Chihuahua |
Appearance of the Jack Chi |
| Your Jack Chi can take on the appearance of one or both of its parent breeds, the Chihuahua and the Jack Russell Terrier. The coat is likely to be short and dense, and colors can be black, white, brown, chocolate, cream, gold, fawn, black and brown, black and white, black and tan, brown and white, dark brown, light brown and tricolor. They are described as small to medium-sized dogs, measuring a maximum of 38 centimeters and weighing between 3.5 and 8 kilos. They have a dense coat, short neck, elongated but muscular body and large eyes on a triangular head. The ear set can be either erect like the Chihuahua parent, or folded or curled like the Jack Russell parent. The muzzle, build and coloring generally show the contributions of the Jack Russell parent, while the coat and leg length more closely resemble the Chihuahua side. It's quite possible that your Jack Chi measures less than 25 centimetres at the shoulder. The muzzle may also take on the slimmer size of the Chihuahua side. The facial expression will be alert and intelligent, with large black eyes and a black nose. The hindquarters will be strong and muscular to provide the strong, springy gait and jumping ability of the Jack Russell side with feet that may be round and well padded or small and dainty with good padding, the padding probably being pink or multicolored. Your cute puppy will have a tail that resembles the Chihuahua side, being long and a little fluffy. |
Temperament of the Jack Chi |
| Your Jack Chi will certainly be a pleasure to have underfoot. Full of energy and love but not easy to train, this little guy naturally tries to be the leader of the pack. You'll need to be very patient and firm during your training, using positive encouragement and reinforcement to determine who's in charge. Don't be afraid to seek professional help if training seems overwhelming for you and your daily schedule. Your Jack Chi will get on very well with children and other pets, although smaller ones may be seen as prey, on the Jack Russell side no doubt, and some aggression and harassment may be felt. Early socialization should reduce any aggression towards young children and pets. Generally friendly to everyone, strangers can produce a certain amount of mistrust or caution. Early socialization should also help change this. Be prepared to provide plenty of exercise and play for this energetic, frisky puppy. Both breed parents contribute to the potential for large amounts of energy to be released on a daily basis. Failure to follow proper exercise and activity schedules could lead to inappropriate and unappreciated destructive behavior, so remember that your dog is in your heart. |
Needs and activities of the Jack Chi |
| Your Jack Chi hybrid is an energetic bundle of love and mischief. This energy will need to be expended daily to keep them healthy and happy, as the need to avoid boredom is great. Taking your companion for long walks a few times a day will help you achieve this. Keep your dog on a leash outdoors, as his stalking and hunting nose is always on the lookout for scents. Plus, because your Jack Chi is so smart, hide-and-seek games will keep your furry family member from getting bored and prevent the development of annoying chewing, digging and destructive behaviors. Because of their small size, they are ideally suited to apartment or condominium living, but remember that exercise needs to be met on a daily basis. It's important to note that because of the traits inherited from the Jack Russell side, your dog will need to be safely supervised in the yard with a high-walled fence that will be difficult for him to jump over. Precautions should also be taken to avoid digging for an escape route. |
Maintenance of the Jack Chi |
| The Jack Chi is considered a moderate excretor. Brushing once or twice a week should help remove dead and matted hair and debris from their coat. Your puppy only needs to bathe when necessary. Your furry friend should have his ears checked and cleaned regularly to avoid infections caused by dirt and bacteria. Follow-up dental examinations and teeth cleaning will help reduce the risk of developing periodontal disease, which is common in dogs. Eye examinations should be carried out to assess and monitor any eye problems, both internal and external, that are known to afflict parent breeds. Check the length of your dog's nails twice a month and trim them if necessary. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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