The Jackapoo or Jackadoodle is a charming combination of a Jack Russell Terrier and a Poodle. Jackapoos are exceptionally intelligent dogs that are also sociable, alert, playful, highly energetic, and easy to train.
Are you looking for more information about the designer dog breed Jackapoo because you want to add one to your family? Perhaps you already own this cuddly Jack Russell Poodle mix and want to know a bit more about it.
In any case, read on; this guide has all the information you need about this cute small dog.
What is a Jack-a-Poo?
A Jackapoo is a compact designer dog obtained by crossing a Miniature or Toy Poodle with a Jack Russell Terrier. Other names for the Jack-A-Poo are Jackapoo, Jackadoodle, Jackdoodle, Jackpoodle, Poojack, and Poo-Jack.
The resulting mixed dog breed is not recognized by the AKC or any other Canine Club and its exact origins are also unclear. However, The International Designer Canine Registry IDCR grants owners and breeders the facility to document and register designer dogs like Jackadoodles. Hopefully someday, with their efforts, owners can enjoy the same registration privileges that purebred dogs enjoy.
The Jackapoo might have been created with a view of having a sturdy and intelligent dog with a less tenacious personality and a non-shedding coat.
Poodle-mixes like the Labradoodle and Golden Doodle were among the first poodle mixed breed (or hybrid or designer) dog breeds to be created. The Labradoodle (Poodle-Labrador Retriever mix) was estimated to have been created in the 1990s and was found to have high trainability combined with a non-shedding coat. These features made other doodle breeds (Poodle mixed) popular with people allergic to dog dander.
The Jackapoo also came into existence due to the same reasons: potential pet parents were looking to adopt or buy smaller dogs that could be easily trained and were suitable for people with pet allergies. The Jackapoo fit the bill perfectly.
A bit about the Jack Russell Terrier breed
Jack Russell Terriers were bred to be working dogs and to hunt pesky vermin on farms and in houses. They even flushed out badgers, foxes, and groundhogs from their hiding holes and dens for hunters. The Jack Russell Terrier is an ancient breed and is estimated to have existed for more than 200 years. They are predominantly white with tan, brown, or black patches.
A bit about the Poodle breed
Poodles might have been first bred in Germany since the word Poodle comes from the German word Pudel (puddle). However, Poodles also have Spaniel ancestry as well as French water dog (Barbet) blood in them. Today, the Poodle breed is considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world.
Physical Attributes of Jackadoodles
The Jackapoo has no AKC standardization as far as its height and weight are concerned. Canine genetics is quite a complex science, so no one can predict for sure how big an F1- (first generation) Jackapoo will get. As such, Jack-a-poo is a small and compact-sized dog breed since the parent breeds (Jack Russell Terrier and Miniature or Toy Poodle) are both quite small.
How big will a Jackapoo puppy get?
A full-grown Jackadoodle could reach a height of 25 to 38 cm (9.8 to 14.9 inches) and weigh between 6 and 12 kg (13 to 26.5 lb.). Most reach maturity between 8 to 13.5 months.
Jackapoo coat type
Jackapoos could have a scruffy, wavy, or curly coat. The coat can come in various combinations like white, tan, black, silver, and blue, all mixed together or in patches. Their Poodle parent could also give them coat colours like red, brown, silver, and apricot.
Are Jackadoodles hypoallergenic? How much grooming does a Jackapoo need?
Jackapoos have fairly low-shedding coats since both parent breeds are also low-shedding. So, you won’t find too many dust bunnies all over your house. However, that does not mean that they don’t need any grooming. You will still need to brush your Jackadoodle at least 2-3 times a week. Jackadoodles that inherit the Poodle-like coat might also need professional grooming every few months.
Does a Jackapoo shed?
Jackapoos are mostly low-to-no shedding dogs. If your pet inherits the curly and tight coat like its Poodle parent, then it might not shed at all. However, if it inherits the Jack Russell Terrier type coat, then it might shed moderately seasonally.
If you’re looking for a low to non-shedding Jackapoo puppy, the Wire-Haired Jack Russell Terrier sheds less than the Smooth Coated Jack Russell Terrier. If allergies are an issue you might find Jackapoos from a wire-haired JRT and a poodle will shed less than those from smooth-coated Jack Russell lineage.
Similarly, F1b generation Jackadoodles will often shed less than their first-generation counterparts. F1b Jackapoos are generally lower shedding than F1 because their genetic makeup comprises approximately 75% poodle.
Temperament and Personality of a Jackadoodle
Do Jackapoos Make Good Pets?
Jackadoodles make excellent pets as they are super cute, highly energetic, and also very intelligent. They make great family dogs for all ages but they also need to be kept active. You will need to give your Jackadoodle a job to do because, without activity, it could get quite destructive.
Jackapoos might be small dogs but they have high exercise needs. These high-energy dogs also need consistent positive training and handling from the very beginning. Without training and exercise, they can get mouthy and could misbehave.
Although Jackapoos do well with older children, they should not be around very young kids or infants. After all; they have high prey drives and are great opportunists. Small children carrying food could be prime targets for these dogs.
Jackadoodles can make good pets for elderly people or people with limited mobility. However, there should be someone around to take them for daily walks and also for training the dog. Jack-a-poos do well on farms and ranches but if you live in an urban or suburban dwelling, then a fenced yard is a must for keeping your Jackapoo safe. Remember: Jackadoodles are diggers and could easily dig under a fence, so make sure you secure the bottom part of the fence as well.
Jackapoos will be happy in apartments too, but they do need some extra space to run and play. They are also excellent at jumping and can easily jump over 4 feet (1.2m). This makes them excellent for agility and tracking activities.
Do Jackapoos bark a lot?
Jackapoos bark a lot and they can be quite loud! Sometimes, they might bark even while they are playing. Mostly, they bark if someone is simply passing by. This quality makes them good watchdogs but can be annoying to the neighbours. So, you might want to train your dog to only bark on cue.
Are Jack-a-Poos intelligent dogs?
Jackapoos are very intelligent dogs given the intelligence of both parent breeds. They are also very determined and stubborn and using these traits, a Jackapoo will surely get what it wants. That is why consistent, positive reinforcement-based training is very important from the very beginning. Otherwise, your little dog might develop some frustrating behaviours.
How Much Does a Jackapoo Cost?
In Australia, the price of a Jackapoo puppy from a reputable breeder is between $1000 and $2000. Always buy your puppy from a respected breeder who genuinely cares for the breed’s welfare. Avoid buying from puppy mills and backyard breeders since the pups born under these circumstances are more likely to have health and temperament issues.
What is the Best Food for a Jackapoo?
A correct and balanced diet for your Jack Russell Poodle mix can result in an active and healthy pet with a shiny coat. Since these small dogs are prone to obesity, you must monitor your dog’s portions and not allow it free access to food. It is also important to keep your Jackadoodle active.
Most small dog breeds like Jackapoos only need around 296 calories per day. Your dog food label will tell you exactly how many calories there are in each cup of food, so you can feed your pet accordingly.
Finding the best dog food for your Jackapoo can take some trial and error. You can always get recommendations from breeders and vets but if the food is not agreeing with your small dog or if it refuses to eat it, then do consult a vet nutritionist and consider a change.
Here are some general tips about feeding a Jackapoo:
- Feed your puppy the same food it was eating at the breeder. This is important to avoid gastric upsets.
- Puppies run, play, and burn a lot of energy so they need at least 4 meals a day. For adult Jackapoos, 2 meals a day are usually adequate.
- Establish a strict feeding and potty schedule and follow it.
- Avoid foods containing GMO ingredients, preservatives, meat byproducts, fillers, and artificial colours and flavours.
- Some Jackadoodles are very sensitive to wheat, corn, soy, and dairy. Many are sensitive to certain proteins (chicken, fish, peas, and pork). In such a case, you might want to feed special diets or even vet-prescribed diets. A raw dog food diet of red meat or lamb with vegetables and meaty bones is usually a good choice for most Jackapoos.
Health and Lifespan of Jackapoos
Most Jackapoos are healthy and hardy. The Jack Russell Terrier breed does not have too many health issues or any known common health concerns unless they are poorly bred. The Poodle breed, however, is known for certain genetic issues. Therefore, some common health concerns are known to crop up in Jackapoos from time to time. These are:
- Deafness
- Luxating patella
- Arthritis – generally seen in senior dogs
- Cataracts – also age-related
- Thyroid problems
- Food sensitivities.
The average lifespan of a Jack-a-poo is 12-15 years.
Jackapoo Availability in Australia
The Jackapoo is a fairly rare designer dog breed in Australia. If you’re having trouble finding Jack a poo breeders or puppies for sale near you, consider looking for a rescue or other similar poodle mix breeds such as the Schnoodle or Westiepoo.
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Molly is a young female Jackapoo who would love to send you her picture.
I found this article very interesting, thank you. We have a 4mo jackoodle. She is such a delight and creates lots of interest when she is out with us. Hey playmate, our pug x foxy are great mates and play a lot. We take walks in the paddocks and amongst the chickens and she is very well behaved.