The Jack a Poo is a cute and cuddly hybrid dog that’s a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Miniature Poodle. This is an energetic little dog that can take on the appearance and personality of either or both parent breeds. However, this dog usually inherits the smarts and loyalty of the Miniature Poodle along with the robust energy and playfulness of the Jack Russel. A Jack a Poo is an intelligent, sweet, and loving dog that’s always ready to play.

Breed Overview

The Jack a Poo is also known as the Jackadoodle. This is a dog that needs a lot of exercise, and it adores being outdoors. If a Jack a Poo doesn’t get the exercise it needs, the dog can become destructive so keep that in mind if you’re thinking of getting one. These dogs can also be yappy which can be a concern if you live in an apartment or have close neighbors. Overall, Jack a Poos make great family dogs as they love kids and can get along with other pets.

Jack a Poo Characteristics

Jack a Poo Puppies

With its adorable looks and its loyalty and affection, a Jack a Poo is an easy dog to fall in love with. This breed is more hypoallergenic than many others which is great for people with allergies. Plus, the Jack a Poo is not a heavy shedder, so you won’t spend countless hours vacuuming up dog hair.

This is an active and playful dog that needs a lot of exercise. A Jack a Poo can live in an apartment if it’s taken for daily walks and allowed to romp and play indoors. On top of being energetic, a Jack a Poo is also a gentle and affectionate dog that loves to cuddle. This dog gets along great with kids as well as with other dogs and even cats if introduced properly.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Jack a Poo

Highly intelligent, friendly, and energetic, a Jack a Poo makes an amazing pet. This dog needs frequent exercise and loves playing outdoors. This is not an aggressive dog although it can be stubborn. To train this breed, you must have patience and perseverance. But don’t let any stubbornness fool you into thinking your Jack a Poo isn’t smart because he is!

A Jack a Poo loves playing, so having kids around is A-OK with this breed. In fact, if you put a Jack a Poo in a backyard with a couple of kids, the dog will think it died and went to heaven, it will have that much fun!

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Jack a Poos make wonderful family pets. This dog will love everyone in the family, from the smallest child to the eldest. This dog is well-suited for an active family that likes to get out and go. The perfect home for a Jack a Poo is a house with a fenced yard that’s owned by an outdoor-loving family that spends lots of time in the great outdoors.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

A Jack a Poo can live happily with another dog and even with cats if they’re introduced properly. This dog may look at a small pet like a hamster or rat as prey, so caution is advised if you have such a pet. The same holds true for birds. A Jack a Poo that’s living with a bird must learn that the bird is not something to chase and kill.

This dog can become jealous if a new dog is brought into the family. However, over time, the Jack a Poo will likely realize the new dog isn’t a threat wherein the two can live under one roof without any issues at all. Jack a Poos are known for their friendliness and they’re typically as friendly to people as they are to dogs and other pets they meet.

Things to Know When Owning a Jack a Poo:

Before you rush out and buy a Jack a Poo, you should know a few important things about this dog that will make your life easier.

Food & Diet Requirements

A Jack a Poo is an active little dog that needs a high-quality diet. You can feed this dog dry kibble or wet dog food, as long as the food is of good quality. Jack a Poos use lots of energy when they’re running and romping around so plan on feeding your dog three times a day.

Exercise

As a high-energy dog, it is important that a Jack a Poo gets lots of exercise. This dog can either be walked on a leash several times a day or allowed to run free in a fenced yard or both if possible. It is not easy to tire out a Jack a Poo so buy some toys you can throw in the yard or play a rousing game of fetch. Another great way to exercise a Jack a Poo is to sign up for dog agility training.

Training

If your Jack a Poo takes after its Miniature Poodle parent more than the Jack Russell parent, it will be easy for you to train. Miniature Poodles are known for being highly trainable and obedient while the more laid-back Jack Russell is rather stubborn at times.

A Jack a Poo learns quickly and is eager to please. This dog thrives on positive reinforcement so plan on giving your dog lots of praise and the occasional treat during your training sessions. If your dog starts showing his stubborn side, ignore him and wait it out! Without your attention, your stubborn Jack a Poo will realize he only gets your attention when he’s listening well and doing his best to follow your commands.

Grooming ✂️

A Jack a Poo should be brushed at least once a week to remove loose hairs and stimulate the skin. Use a soft-bristle dog brush and brush every part of your Jack a Poo’s body, including the tail. Like other breeds, a jack a Poo needs to have its ears cleaned out regularly to prevent infection. This can be done using a warm washcloth with a little soap and water.

You should only bathe a Jack a Poo when the dog is very dirty because over-bathing can lead to dry, irritated skin. Plan on brushing your Jack a Poo’s teeth every day using a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste to keep his chompers clean and healthy.

A Jack a Poo also needs to have his nails trimmed every couple of weeks. If you’re not comfortable doing the nail trimming yourself, find a groomer who will do the job for you or speak to your vet.

Health and Conditions

Jack a Poos are generally healthy dogs but like all canines, they are prone to a few health problems.

Male vs Female

Male Jack a Poos tend to be easier to train than their female counterparts as the females are often more independent. As far as size goes, there is no significant difference between males and females. If money is an issue, you should know that it costs more to spay a female than it does to neuter a male. If you don’t care if you get a male or female, you can simply choose the puppy from the litter that catches your eye first!

3 Little-Known Facts About the Jack a Poo

1. The Breeding of This Dog Has Not Been Perfected

The Jacka Poo is a relatively new breed that was developed in the United States a few decades ago. Because this is a relatively new breed, you never really know what your Jack a Poo puppy will look like when it grows up. You could end up with a solid-colored dog with curly hair like a poodle or with a multicolored dog with straight fur like a Jack Russell.

2. The Dog Goes by Many Names

As we mentioned earlier the Jack a Poo is also called the Jackadoodle. But this dog breed goes by several other names too. Some people call this breed a Jack a Poodle, Poojack, or Jack a Poodle. Knowing this is important if you’re planning on buying one of these dogs. When you’re online looking for breeders, use all the names in your online search to ensure you find all the available puppies.

3. The Dog Gets Its Smarts from Both Parent Breeds

Miniature Poodles are extremely intelligent as are Jack Russell Terriers. Both breeds are easily trained and pick up new things fast. Therefore, the Jack a Poo dog is known for its smarts. This adorable little dog enjoys and excels in a variety of canine sports including obedience, agility, and tracking.

Final Thoughts

If you’re interested in getting a small-sized, cute, intelligent, and energetic dog, a Jack a Poo may be just what you’re looking for. This is a friendly fun-loving dog that makes a wonderful family pet. Just be sure you have plenty of time for taking daily walks and playing because this dog needs to burn off lots of energy!

You shouldn’t have any problem finding a Jack a Poo puppy as this is a popular hybrid dog breed in the United States. Remember to ask the breeder about the background information of any puppy you’re interested in buying to ensure it is healthy.

Featured Image Credit: Nicole C. Fox, Shutterstock