Designer Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: high
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Shedding Level: low
    starstarno starno starno star
  • Grooming Level: high
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Trainability: high
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Good for Novice Owners: high
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Adaptability: high
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: often
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Prey Drive: high
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Watchdog: very alert
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Average Size: Small
  • Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
  • Registered?: other

Jack-a-poo Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

Did You Know?

A Jack-A-Poo is a cross between a Jack Russel Terrier and a Miniature Poodle. They are energetic little dogs with big, lively personalities. They are intelligent, curious, and affectionate with their families.

Although they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other canine registries. The American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and more all recognize the Jack-A-Poo.

The Jack-A-Poo is an active, energetic dog that thrives on attention and activity. As long as they are well-socialized and trained, they tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They have a high prey drive, so they will need extra training and socialization around other small pets.

Jackapoos are initially wary of strangers and tend to alert bark. If they have been socialized well, they tend to warm up once introduced. Although you may not be able to keep them from alert barking entirely, you can work to train your dog to stop barking to help keep it from becoming a nuisance behavior.

Jack-A-Poos are highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and need a lot of daily activity, they can adapt well to apartments or larger homes as long as they get the exercise they need. Because of their high prey drive and urge to chase, it’s a good idea to only let them off-leash in secure areas.

They do well in a variety of climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Their coat provides some insulation against the cold, but they may still need to bundle up with some winter dog products to stay warm while out on winter walks. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

Although mixed-breed can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs, it’s not a guarantee. They could inherit none, all, or some of the conditions common to their parents, and good breeding practices make a big difference.

Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Jack-A-Poo include luxating patella, Addison’s disease, hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease, and elbow dysplasia. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies, so make sure you ask about the health of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done.

Jackapoos are intelligent little dogs that tend to pick up on things quickly, which also means they can get bored easily. Although they do tend to be eager to please, they can also have a stubborn streak at times.

Patient, consistent training focused on praise and reward can usually overcome this challenge. This dog breed is considered a good fit for owners of all experience levels. But, if you need a little bit of help or a confidence boost to handle any stubbornness, puppy training classes are a good idea.

Although there can be some variation among individual dogs, the Jack-A-Poo tends to have a low or non-shedding coat that is coarser than the standard Poodle coat. Daily brushing is recommended to remove tangles and prevent mats. Professional grooming is recommended every 4-8 weeks.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Jack-A-Poo’s nails, ears, and teeth. Nail trims once or twice a month keep them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks, with careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections.

As a small dog breed, the Jackapoo is prone to developing gum disease and other dental diseases. This makes practicing good dental care for dogs early and throughout your dog’s life even more important. Daily brushing or use of an enzyme toothpaste plus cleanings at the vet as needed are a good foundation.

Although a Jackapoo is small, they are a high-energy dog. Playful and energetic, these little dogs need playtime, time to run, and some extra activity throughout the day to be happy and healthy. And, they’ll likely be up for more activity if you are. Just make sure you are keeping activities low-impact until puppies finish growing and developing.

A fully-grown Jackapoo usually stands 10-15 inches tall and weighs 13-25 pounds.

Jack-A-Poos generally live for 12-15 years on average.

The Jack-A-Poo is also called a Jackapoo, Jackadoodle, Jackapoodle, Jackpoo, and Poojack.