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Cav-A-Jack |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Australia -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Cav-A-Jack |
| The Cav-a-Jack is a hybrid breed. Its parents are the magnificent Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the courageous Jack Russell Terrier. It's a friendly little dog that loves people, including small children. Not a high-maintenance hybrid, he's ideal for the novice dog owner. Mischievous at times but great fun to have around, his inquisitive nature adds joy to his personality. As long as he gets enough exercise, he'll be a well-behaved little companion. He is likely to be predominantly white with red, tan, brown or black markings. He's the perfect choice for someone living in an apartment, as well as a family with a fenced-in backyard. |
History of the Cav-A-Jack |
| Although there isn't much information on the Cav-a-jack breed itself, you can still learn a lot about the breed by studying its parent breeds. |
A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
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| The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel itself is a relatively new breed, descended from the toy Epagneuls that were the companions of royalty and nobility in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots, owned a toy Spaniel who walked at her master's side as Mary went to her beheading. Mary's grandson and great-grandson, Charles I and II, owned many dogs of the same breed, and eventually gave their name to the breed. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels arrived in the United States in the 1940s. In the 1950s, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was formed. It wasn't until 1995 that the American Kennel Club decided to recognize the breed. | ||
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| Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | ||
A little of the Jack Russell Terrier |
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| The early days of the feisty Jack Russell Terrier involved hunting. Perfectly suited to the job, the Jack Russell Terrier was a courageous, energetic breed that loved to work. A hunter of small game, its agile form and tenacious spirit made it a partner of choice in the forest and in the field. It has been recognized by the American Kennel Club thanks to the hard work of enthusiasts over the years. | ||
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| Standard of the Jack Russell Terrier |
Appearance of the Cav-A-Jack |
| The Cav-a-Jack's parent breeds vary considerably in appearance. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel generally has a silky, medium-length coat and may have a wavy texture. The Jack Russell Terrier parent is generally found to have a shorter, coarser coat with a smooth, elegant appearance. Your Cav-a-Jack may be a beautiful combination of the two, or may lean towards one or the other. Color combinations can be white with red, ochre or black markings. It could also be tricolored, in addition, chestnut coloration can be seen in the combination. His ears can be a combination of small and erect with a slight fold, to very long with feathers. Its muzzle will be small and its nose mostly black. His eyes will sparkle with mischief and be light to dark brown in color. It will be sturdy and will probably have a courageous, determined gait. |
Temperament of the Cav-A-Jack |
| The Cav-a-Jack is a lively, spirited little dog. The Jack Russell Terrier parent is a highly intelligent, inquisitive dog. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel balances the feisty personality by adding a touch of calm and lots of affection. Your Cav-a-Jack will love his family very much and prove to be a very adoring family member. He'll want to be with the family, but don't leave him unsupervised outside, no matter how secure your fence is. He's capable of jumping over a fence or even digging under it to get what he wants. He may or may not get along with cats, as they can appear to be prey and be fun to chase. Although an affectionate hybrid, the Cav-a-Jack has an independent streak and will need firm, consistent guidance. Some owners have found the Cav-a-Jack more difficult to train than other hybrids, but with perseverance, your Cav-a-Jack will do just fine. |
Needs and activities of the Cav-A-Jack |
| The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent is the type of dog that can happily sit on its owner's lap for long periods throughout the day, while the Jack Russell Terrier is a bundle of energy. Able to resize a fence if he thinks there's an action he should be part of on the other side, this side of the equation means your hybrid's energy levels can be quite high. Give him an hour a day of interaction with you in the form of games, brisk walks and obedience classes. Your Cav-a-Jack can excel at activities like field trials or agility, so don't be afraid to let him try. He can adapt to apartment life, but will be happiest if there's a dog park nearby that can be visited every day. A house with a fenced yard is ideal as long as supervision is always maintained. |
Maintenance of the Cav-A-Jack |
| The Cav-a-Jack has moderate grooming requirements. He'll need weekly brushing with a pincushion or smooth brush, depending on the thickness and consistency of his coat. When he throws, brushing a few times a week should be enough to remove loose fur. Depending on the length of his ears, a weekly check for dirt and moisture may be necessary, especially if your Cav-a-Jack spends a lot of time in dirt and brush. Taking care of his teeth is important. Brush them several times a week to avoid costly dental work. His nails should be checked and trimmed every two months. When your Cav-a-Jack is young, get him to use the grooming routine. This can be a good bonding moment between pet and owner. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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