Jackapoo Dogs | A Guide to the Mixed Breed

German Shepherds, Golden retrievers, and Labradors are popular family pets. But there are some breeds out there which you might not be so familiar with.

The Jackapoo breed is probably one of them! The Jackapoo dog is a cross between Jack Russell Terrier and Poodle breeds, making them an ideal mixed breed dog.

Jackapoo dogs are also known as designer dogs, within the designer breed registry. as they are the perfect blend of the best features of both breeds.

Intelligent and fun-loving, this active breed are true little balls of energy. They range between the small to medium size, making them a good fit for smaller homes and flats.

With a lot of new dog breeds, which we might not be so familiar with, we end up taking home the usual, popular, family-friendly dog breeds. But with this bit of insight into Jackapoo dogs, we’re sure we’ll pique your interest in something more unique! Eager to know more? Read ahead!

The size of Jackapoos varies depending on which type of Poodle the terrier is bred with, as well as the size of the parent breeds. For example, if you bred the Jack Russell with a miniature Poodle, you'd get a much smaller dog than if you bred a Jack Russell with a large Poodle. Typically, however, their height spans from 10-16 inches when standing.

Twice the size of Chihuahuas, Jackapoos can be classified as medium-sized dogs - not too big, not too small, just right. The average weight of Jackapoos is 13-25 pounds.

Jackapoos are a relatively new breed, which explains the hesitation of families to take them in as a family pet. You’d be happy to know that Jackapoos are super friendly, loving dogs that will fit in perfectly in your home and your family.

They have a cheeky, playful personality and get along really well with little kids.

The best part about this breed is that they are pretty adaptable, so the size of your house doesn’t really matter - the adorable Jackapoos will settle instantly and get comfortable and cosy in your home.

Jackapoos, like many other dog breeds, get very attached to their family or pet parents.

They cannot really stand being left alone for long periods. If you’re out for work the entire day, the kids are at school, and there’s going to be no one to watch over this fur baby for long hours, you need to start training them to deal with abandonment issues, as they will start to show their stubborn streak.

A lot of attention and a plan of positive reinforcements will keep this pup happy should you need to leave them for longer periods of time. Leaving them alone for shorter periods is essential so that they get used to staying alone for a few hours even when they grow up.

Due to their desire to please and attachment to their family, it's good to take them out for plenty of exercise to help manage their energy level.

That brings us to the next question - is this breed easy to train? Let’s take a look!

Both Jack Russell Terrier and Poodles are intelligent breeds - needless to say, they are easy to train and pick up whatever you teach them rather quickly.

They have a kind nature, added with the willingness to please their owners, again making them easy to train. 

Jackapoo dogs are super energetic. Keeping up with this high activity level is important, as it may get destructive. It’s advisable to start off with the training with frequent exercise at an early stage when the Jackapoo is a little puppy.

At this age, they are most receptive to learning, and you can teach them many important things, which will be very useful as they grow into adult dogs. They still retain their bundles of energy as they age, so not much slowing down unfortunately. But hey, they are such adorable puppies that we just love them to bits always! 

Introduce them to different sounds (such as vehicles), other dogs, people, and things we encounter in our everyday lives. Once they get comfortable, it’s easier for them (and you) to go around without barking at every new thing they hear or see.

Jackapoo puppies are adorable, but during training, you need to be consistent and firm with them. As they are easy to train, the Jackapoo dogs are a great choice for first-time owners. 

Yes, Jackapoos are vocal and some may be known for excessive barking. Their barks can mean different things at different times and situations, following their natural instincts. They’ll bark when they spot a stranger when they are hungry or bored, and basically any time they want to communicate something to you.

Apart from this, they also communicate through their body language. You need to be observant of the body language of your Jackapoo in different situations to know how they react and what exactly they’re trying to indicate to you.

Not at all! They have the guarding instincts which almost every dog breed has. If trained well from an early age, they are already well-versed with other animals and humans, and any aggression (relatively rare) towards strangers can be dealt with easily.

High on energy, the Jackapoos are lively and playful, making them perfect companions for little kids. Training plays an important role here, so do ensure your little Jackapoo puppy is encouraged with their playful nature early on.

Jackapoos are small in size and highly energetic. They can get bored easily if left with nothing to do. They need ample mental and physical stimulation, and you need to ensure they get their share of daily exercise.

Taking your Jackapoo for an hour-long walk every day would suffice. If you have time, we recommend you take your Jackapoo for a walk twice a day (one long walk and one short one).

Over-exercising isn’t good while they are still growing, as it would lead to joint problems later in life. To mentally stimulate them, you can play different games with them, give them puzzles - basically anything that would challenge their brain and keep them mentally occupied as well.

The type of the coat of a Jackapoo will vary according to its genetic composition. But irrespective of how their coat appears (straight or curly), they don’t shed as much as other breeds.

They have a sparse grooming routine but you should ensure there are no tangles or knots in their hair. Generally , they require minimal grooming however brushing them daily will help maintain the coat, causing lesser hair loss during the shedding season.

Grooming your pet is a great way to bond with them. Hence this activity should be a part of your dog's schedule as well. Apart from the coat, you also need to care for your Jackapoo's teeth, nails, and ears.

Jackapoos are pretty healthy, but just like other mixed breeds, they too have the possibility of inheriting some illnesses from either parent. Some of these illnesses are mild and can be easily managed with due care and precaution.

Other illnesses can be serious, but again, with a proper diet and care, your Jackapoo will be fit and in the peak of health for a long, long time!

Some of the most common sorts of health issues Jackapoos can fall prey to are hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, Von Willebrand’s disease, Cushing’s disease, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, skin disorders, and eye issues.

DO keep in mind that irrespective of the breed, dogs do fall prey to illnesses at the later stages in their lives. While we cannot avoid genetics, we can always take care of our dogs to our best possible abilities to keep them safe from common illnesses.

That's why it's important to get lifetime pet insurance. Getting your puppy insured after 8 weeks old is the best way to help cover most health concerns.

This is because insuring your pup when they are older means they may not be covered against pre existing conditions.

Overall, Jackapoos are a great mixed breed dog you can consider bringing home. They are perfect for those looking for mid-sized or small dogs and have just the right temperament and personality traits to make them great family dogs.

If you’ve been thinking about getting one for your family, well, there’s no better breed than the fun-loving Jackapoo!