Mixing a Jack Russell Terrier with any breed of pit bull will give you a friendly and energetic dog. They demand a lot of attention and care. If you’re a seasoned dog owner without space constraints, then read on—this crossbreed might be your perfect match.
Jack Pit: At a Glance
- Height: Approximately 15 inches
- Weight: 30-50 lb
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Temperament: Intelligent, family friendly, may become aggressive towards other pets
- Most Suitable For: Experienced dog owners, house with a yard
Check out list of the 45 Most Adorable Pitbull Mix Breeds Right Here!
Jack Pit Origin
The Jack Pit is bred from the Jack Russell Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers were originally bred in 19th century England as fox hunting dogs. They are small dogs that are highly energetic and athletic.
They can have smooth, broken or rough coats. These dogs are generally at least 51% white in color and can have black or tan markings.
These intelligent dogs are highly trainable, but you need to be patient and spend enough time on their training as they don’t accept new instructions that easily.
Their addiction to digging can become a problem area, even with training. These guys love digging up yards as they trace their lineage back to working terriers that used to pursue their quarry into the earth.
Since these guys were originally trained like hunting dogs, they need to be socialized early on with other pets if you have them. Otherwise, they might get a little aggressive and hunt down pets.
American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog with a well-defined muscular neck and shoulders. They were initially used as farm dogs in America.
They have short, sparse coats, which are quite easy to maintain. They also come in a variety of coat colors.
They are extremely energetic dogs and require an active lifestyle to maintain their impressive physique.
The tarnished reputation of the pit bull does not do this breed justice, as the American Pitbull Terrier is an extremely kid and family-friendly dog. They are, however, extremely powerful canines and should never be left unsupervised with children.
They have a tendency to show aggression towards other dogs.
Caring for a Jack Russell Pitbull Mix
Jack Pit Behavior
Both American Pit Bull Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers are very friendly dogs. Naturally, the Jack Pit is also quite a friendly guy. They are great family dogs and do very well with kids.
They do tend to exhibit aggressive behavior towards other pets if you don’t socialize them properly during their early years.
Exercise Requirements
The Jack Pit is a dog whose energy level is very high. Both its parent breeds are extremely energetic, so this guy will wear you down. You need to get in at least 30 minutes to an hour of activity everyday for this one.
Training
Both the parent breeds are very intelligent dogs so Jack Pits are good learners. However, their high energy levels require an experienced dog owner. A novice will have a hard time training such an energetic and active dog.
Diet
The diet of your dog depends on a lot of things including its age and its size. Puppies require higher frequency smaller meals with high calorie counts. Adult dogs don’t need to be fed as frequently as they will need larger meals and more protein-rich food.
Both Pit Bulls and Jack Russell Terriers are highly energetic dog breeds that require a protein-rich diet to keep up their energy levels. The same goes for the crossbreeds.
The parent breeds are susceptible to obesity and bloat; two or three smaller meals spaced out over the day will help keep these at bay. It is best to avoid grain and meat by products in their diet as these are harder to digest.
Grooming
Both the parent breeds have short coats that are quite easy to maintain. This means that the crossbreeds will also have low maintenance coats that are easy to groom.
Health Issues
While crossbreeding enlarges the gene pool and keeps breed specific diseases at bay to an extent, crossbreeds are likely to be susceptible to some of the common health issues of the parent breeds.
Jack Russell Terriers are primarily prone to lens luxation—displacement of the eye lens—and skin problems. Pit bulls are primarily prone to hip dysplasia. Both breeds are susceptible to obesity.
Ideal Environment
Jack Russell Pit Bull mixes are highly energetic crossbreeds even though energy levels vary between the different types. They all require at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. Their active lifestyle can be handled only by seasoned dog owners. All these crossbreeds are highly energetic and will do poorly if they are forced to live a sedentary life.
Since these are Jack Russell Terrier mixes they have a tendency to dig around and they get quite anxious if they don’t have enough space to do this. A house that has a yard is a must for these crossbreeds as they do need space to run around and dig to their heart’s content.
Make sure that the yard is securely fenced and the fence is reinforced underneath. This is because these crossbreeds can scale small fences and they are diggers.
Conclusion
If you’re someone who loves leading an active lifestyle, a Jack Russell Pitbull mix is an ideal companion—provided you have experience handling dogs. They make the perfect running buddies and you’ll both end up having a great time together.
Getting a dog is a huge commitment. Make sure you get a dog that is compatible with your living situation and level of expertise. If you can rescue a dog while you’re at it that’s even better!
