Jackshund (Jack Russell Terrier & Dachshund Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

If you’re looking for a dog that packs a ton of personality into a small package, then look no further than the Jack Russell Dachshund mix, or Jackshund. Made by combining a Jack Russell Terrier with a Dachshund, these tiny pups are extremely opinionated and a great deal of fun.

Their outsized personalities have their drawbacks, however. These dogs tend to be fairly stubborn, and they can be challenging for first-time owners. They can be prone to having Napoleon complexes, so you must be firm and consistent with training.

In the guide below, we’ll share everything you need to know about this relatively new breed, so you can decide if adding one to your household would finally make your pack complete.

Jackshund Puppies

Jackshunds aren’t big dogs, which makes them ideal for apartment living. Even better than their diminutive size, though, is the fact that they don’t require a ton of exercise, making them great for owners who prefer to relax during their downtime rather than run marathons or scale mountains.

Be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you bring a Jack Russell Dachshund mix home, though, because these tiny pups can be quite headstrong. If you’re not a confident and capable trainer, you may have a little dog with big behavioral problems on your hands.

It’s not so much aggression that you have to worry about as it is general destructiveness. The Jack Russell Dachshund mix can destroy your entire shoe collection in a single afternoon, so unless you need a whole bunch of new kicks, you’re better off making sure the dog you bring home is well-mannered.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Jackshund

1. They’re Basically Jack Russell Heads on Dachshund Bodies

Anytime you’re dealing with a designer breed like this (especially a relatively new one), you can expect each individual dog’s appearance to vary wildly when compared to others. It depends on which parent breed’s genes are more dominant in that particular dog.

With Jackshunds, you’ll often find that they have faces that closely resemble Jack Russell Terriers, but those faces are planted on top of long, skinny Dachshund bodies. It’s a cute combination, but if it doesn’t suit you, you may have to look for quite a while before you find a dog that doesn’t meet this description.

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2. Some Have Double Coats, Some Don’t

Again, it all depends on which parent breed had more expressive genes. It’s pretty much a coin flip as to whether any particular dog will have a single or double coat.

As you can imagine, this can greatly affect the amount of grooming you’ll have to do. If you don’t want to spend a ton of time brushing your dog, make sure you bring home a single-coated Jackshund.

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3. They’re Lap Dogs, But Only to a Point

Like many small breeds, the Jackshund loves nothing better than to curl up in their favorite human’s lap and snooze the day away.

Unlike many other small dogs, though, the Jackshund needs their exercise first. They can’t just stay in your lap all day, or they’ll quickly get restless. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to tucker them out, so you can spend most of your day with a calm, content puppy relaxing on you.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Jackshund 🧠

Jackshunds love to be around family, and they don’t do well if left alone too long. Fortunately, they’re small enough that you can take them to most places that allow dogs.

They’re loving and loyal, but sometimes their love for their owners can translate into being suspicious of outsiders. These little pups make surprisingly good guard dogs, as they’re alert and attentive, and they won’t hesitate to unleash a tsunami of yaps if they feel someone’s up to no good.

They aren’t prone to aggression, but they do have a bullheaded streak, which can make training a chore. It’s important that you overcome it, though, because you don’t want these dogs thinking that they’re the boss.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Jackshunds get along well with children of all ages, although you’ll need to socialize and train them well before introducing them to children, as they can get over-excited and snappy. Young children often love having a playmate that’s on their level, however.

They love to play, which can be entertaining, but they aren’t so high-energy that it feels like it takes your entire family to raise them. They can be just as happy curling up for movie night as playing in the yard.

One thing to be careful of is the fact that Jack Russell Dachshund mixes are often loath to surrender their territory. That doesn’t mean they’ll growl or bite; it just means that they don’t like to move. This can make them a tripping hazard, which may be a problem for homes with elderly family members.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Jackshunds love other dogs, as they see them as potential playmates. You still need to socialize them to accept other pooches, though, or else you run the risk of canine aggression rearing its ugly head.

If you don’t think you can spend as much time with your dog as you’d like, getting your Dachshund a sibling may be a good idea. This can reduce separation anxiety and decrease the chances that you’ll come home to find that all your furniture is inside-out.

The Jack Russell Dachshund mix is less suitable for homes with cats or other small pets, as they have an extremely high prey drive. You may be able to mitigate this somewhat if you introduce them to the other animals while they’re still puppies, but we don’t recommend taking the chance.

Things to Know When Owning a Jackshund

Jackshunds aren’t terribly high-maintenance pets, but there are still a few things you should take into consideration before you bring one home.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

These dogs can put away more groceries than you’d expect, although they still don’t eat much compared to larger breeds. Still, their high activity levels often cause them to work up a healthy appetite.

The Jack Russell Dachshund mix can be extremely food-motivated, and while you can use that to your advantage during training, it’s important not to overdo it. It’s extremely easy for these dogs to become overweight, which is terrible for them, so don’t let them eat too much.

We recommend feeding them two meals a day rather than letting them free-feed, and we encourage the use of a high-quality kibble. Avoid any dog foods with ingredients like corn, wheat, or soy, and look for those with lean protein and high-quality fruits and vegetables.

Exercise 🐕

Jackshunds need regular exercise, but since they’re so small, it doesn’t take much for them to get their recommended daily dose.

Expect to spend at least 30 minutes a day offering your dog mental and/or physical stimulation. Walks are always a good idea, but these dogs love to play, so you’ll likely need to incorporate games of fetch, tug-of-war, and hide-and-seek as well.

Jackshunds generally do well with agility training, as it taxes both their minds and their bodies. They also enjoy puzzle toys, especially ones they can chase, as it caters to their high prey drives.

You don’t have to give your Jackshund all their activity at once; it’s perfectly fine to space it out over several small walks, for example. This can keep their energy at a manageable level all day without ever pushing them too hard.

Training 🦮

The Jack Russell Dachshund mix can learn to do just about anything you ask of them, but you may have to convince them that it’s worth their while first.

It’s important to be firm and consistent during training, as they like to push you to see how you’ll respond. That doesn’t mean you should punish them, however; they respond much better to positive reinforcement than scolding or yelling.

If you’re not confident in your training abilities, then enlist a professional trainer. The Jack Russell Dachshund mix craves a calm and competent leader, and it’s totally fine if you need someone to show you how to be that person.

They do well in group classes, as well as one-on-one sessions, but you have to be careful not to let them spend the entire time socializing with other dogs.

In addition to regular training, you should socialize them every chance you get. Take them to new places, introduce them to new people, and allow them to interact with new animals. As long as you keep the situation calm and controlled, exposing them to novel stimuli is always a good idea.

Grooming ✂️

The amount of grooming you can expect to do will depend on what kind of coat your Jack Russell Dachshund mix has. If they have a double coat, you should brush them every day, especially during the summer. If not, you can probably get away with just once a week or so.

They may need periodic haircuts, and you should trim their nails regularly, so it might be a good idea to make friends with a local groomer.

You should also brush their teeth a few times a week and clean their ears regularly in order to prevent infection.

• You might want to check this out: 11 Best Dog Wipes: Reviews & Top Picks

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Jackshund is typically a healthy dog, but there are quite a few conditions that could potentially affect them.

It’s important to note that while your dog could encounter any of these issues regardless of what you do, their overall health will be negatively impacted in a huge way if you allow them to become obese.

Male vs. Female

There’s little difference between the sexes with the Jackshund. They’re about the same size and their temperaments are roughly the same.

One thing to keep in mind if you plan on having multiple dogs, though, is that it’s generally better to keep them of the opposite sex. Rivalries are much more common among the same gender Jackshunds, so you run a higher risk of encountering behavioral problems. However, this risk will be lessened if you have your dogs spayed or neutered.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a tiny, fun-loving ball of joy, then look no further than the Jackshund. These little dogs love to spend time with their families, and they play like their lives depend on it.

That doesn’t mean you won’t have responsibilities, though. While their exercise needs aren’t that daunting, it’s still essential that you meet them. Also, they require regular training to overcome their naturally stubborn dispositions.

That’s a small price to pay for a dog who’s this much fun to hang out with, though. The Jack Russell Dachshund mix makes a great companion for people of all ages, and they’re surprisingly good guard dogs!

See also: 

• Pinny-Poo (Miniature Pinscher & Poodle Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts
• Boston Iggy (Boston Terrier & Italian Greyhound Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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Featured Image Credit: Lux Blue, Shutterstock