Jackapoo breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
Breed guide overview
About Jackapoos
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the Jackapoo breed
Jackapoos are a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. They are also called Jackadoodles.
They were bred as a pet, to create a dog that benefits from the positives of both the poodle and the Jack Russell terrier. This cross is thought to have originated in the USA in the 1990s, and is often described as a ‘designer dog’.
Weight, height and life expectancy
Their size can vary depending on the size of the poodle (toy or miniature).
In general they are 24-38cm in height.
They weigh between 5 and 12kg.
Their life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years.
What is the temperament of a Jackapoo like?
Jackapoos are happy, even-tempered dogs, and as long as they get enough exercise and stimulation they can be pretty low-maintenance.
They can be great with families, especially active ones that are confident with training them. They tend to get on well with other dogs, if like any dog they are socialised well when they are young.
They are always keen to chase and investigate when they are out, and can try to escape a garden (including by climbing or digging), if they think there might be an adventure to find!
Jackapoos do like to bark, as well as enjoying a good howl. They can often bark when their owners leave. There will be individual exceptions, but overall they are not thought of as a quiet breed.
Our Jackapoo Community
“Oreo is a little energetic ball of fun and affection. She is obsessed with tug of war and fetch. Her butt wiggles uncontrollably when excited. She loves to have a long nap after a good walk or play.”
Oreo’s owner, Nickie from London
“Gerty is our wind-eating, adventure-seeking, beach-loving Jack Russell-Poodle cross pup. She's a little dog with the most loveable personality - if she's met you once, she'll remember you forever!”
Gerty’s owner, Rebecca from Devon
How much exercise does a Jackapoo need?
Jackapoos are a fairly active breed so will need daily exercise of at least an hour. They are also very playful dogs, so make sure to factor in lots of playtime.
They excel at flyball and it’s a great way for them to get stimulated and burn some energy. They are smart too, so they love to get their brain working with activities like Easter Egg Hunts as well as indoor interactive toys.
Need an extra hand exercising your Jackapoo? Find a local borrower today.
Do Jackapoos need a lot of grooming?
Jackapoos coats can vary from more wiry like the Jack Russell to the curlier poodle coat. They can come in a wide range of different colours including black, black and white, brown, golden and grey.
Jackapoos do not tend to need more than regular brushing and washing when they’re dirty, often when they’ve rolled in something they think is wonderful, like fox poo!
If they have a finer, curlier poodle coat they may need regular groomer visits.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.
Are Jackapoos easy to train?
Jackapoos are intelligent and can learn very quickly, responding well to positive reinforcement training. However, as they are part Jack Russell Terrier they can be a little stubborn if they don’t want to do something. They can be quite independent, meaning they often would rather do their own thing.
Training a Jackapoo involves being confident, keeping them engaged and being consistent! Anyone training a Jackapoo needs a lot of patience.
Want to experience spending time with a Jackapoo to decide if this breed is right for you? Borrow a Jackapoo near you.
What do Jackapoos eat?
Jackapoos should eat a good quality dog food twice a day as adults.
Jackapoo puppies should transition from puppy to adult food at between 9 and 12 months old, but as every puppy and food brand is different, always check with your vet and/or food producer.
They are notorious for putting on weight, and often eat anything and eat it very fast. A slow-feeder can be great for a Jackapoo, to give mental stimulation and slow down how quickly they finish their meals!
Watch out for things they shouldn’t eat when out on a walk, as their nose can often be faster to pick up a scent, than we are at seeing it.
Are Jackapoos healthy?
In general Jackapoos are bred to be healthy, working dogs, but like any breed there are a few conditions they are more prone to than other breeds:
Neurological
Epilepsy - a condition of the brain that causes dogs to have fits
Meningitis - a serious condition caused by inflammation of areas around the brain and spinal cord
Eyes
Cherry Eye - different to humans, dogs have a third eyelid, and when the tear gland of this third eyelid becomes swollen it can pop out and is called a cherry eye (as it looks like a cherry in the inside corner of the eye)
Ears
Outer Ear infections - the ear canal, and sometimes the ears flaps have an overgrowth of bacteria, yeast etc. which can cause signs including irritation, inflammation, smell and thickening of the ear canal tissue
Hormonal
Hypothyroidism - a condition where your dog does not produce enough thyroid hormone
Weight
Obesity - this is when your dog is beyond the normal margins of weight for the breed and their build.
Always make sure to have your dog insured, so you don’t get caught out with any unexpected vet bills.
Vet top tip
Jackapoos are super, super smart, so they can be very good at accessing things at home they shouldn’t. Be very careful when storing anything that could be harmful to your Jackapoo, or they could work out how to get to it!
Jackapoo names
The most popular name for a Jackapoo on BorrowMyDoggy is Teddy.
Here's the top 5 most popular names:
- Teddy
- Poppy
- Lola
- Freddie
- Alfie
Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive.If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.
