Appearance of the Jack-A-Poo
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While the individual first-generation Jack-A-Poo may inherit physical characteristics from either parent, the appearance of this breed is becoming more uniform across the board. Most fully grown Jack-A-Poo weigh from 5.5 kg to 9 kg and measure between 25 cm and 38 cm. Their skulls are relatively flat and their medium-sized ears droop downwards. Their oval-shaped eyes are dark brown in color, with an alert, friendly expression. Their bodies are well-muscled and lean, always well-proportioned and athletic. They have relatively short, straight limbs ending in compact feet. Their gait is brisk and fluid. Puppies can wear the straight, wiry coat of the Jack Russell Terrier, the curly, hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle, or a mixture of the two. Even within the same litter, there can be enormous variability. In general, the coat tends to be low-maintenance and not prone to excessive shedding. Coat color is highly variable, with puppies often having a mixture of colors: white, black, brown and gray. |
Temperament of the Jack-A-Poo
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Known for its bubbly personality and jovial nature, the Jack-A-Poo is a truly charming companion. Truly affectionate, this breed is always happy to greet you every day and makes a wonderful playmate for children of all ages. Loyal pets, they are closely bonded to all family members and feel most at ease when surrounded by people they know well. With particularly high energy levels and the need to constantly do something, this breed can be quite difficult to handle. Jack-A-Poo need attention virtually all the time and are very sociable. They constantly need human companionship and risk boredom and destruction if left to their own devices for too long. The Jack-A-Poo is known to distrust strangers, however, this trait can be overcome with appropriate socialization from an early age. Despite this distrust, these dogs are not particularly known for their territorial or surveillance abilities. |
Needs and activities of the Jack-A-Poo
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The Jack-A-Poo is an active little companion, requiring 45 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day. This exercise can take the form of several daily walks, active retrieving games or Frisbee practice and obedience training. Since this hybrid is a natural digger and hunter, involving it in earth dog activities in which it searches for rodents will satisfy this dog's natural instincts. Any activity involving mental challenges will also keep him very happy and entertained. The small size of this hybrid makes it perfect for apartments or family homes, with or without a fenced yard. However, its activity level may compromise apartment living, unless the owner wants to ensure that it is properly exercised daily. It can live in urban or rural communities and tolerate all climates, provided it has extra protection for colder or hotter extremes. As for its natural foraging and jumping tendencies, it's important to note that moderately fenced terrain may require some modifications to contain it. And, to answer the electric fence question, no, that won't be enough to contain this lively and intelligent little escape artist. |
Maintenance of the Jack-A-Poo
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The Jack-A-Poo will require little maintenance for its coat, requiring at the very least a weekly brushing with a stiff-bristled plastic brush and a bath as needed. As with most canine breeds, regular checking and cleaning of his ears is essential to prevent infection. Regular ear checks are especially important for dogs with folded ears to keep them clean. Regular eye examinations are necessary to assess and monitor the various eye areas that tend to cause canine problems with age. Dental examinations should also be carried out regularly, along with teeth cleaning at home, to avoid or reduce the risk of developing periodontal disease that can lead to tooth loss over time. This hybrid is considered low shedding and hypoallergenic. |