The Whippet Jack Russell mix, also called a Jack-A-Whip, is a mixed breed with many tricks up its sleeve. Its strong natural instincts, high energy levels, and playfulness make it quite lovable.
Since Jack-A-Whips are a combination of two different dog breeds, they can have varying appearances and personalities. They may take on the traits of the more dominant breed.
To help you decide if a Jackawhip is an excellent choice for you, we have prepared this comprehensive article that will give you an idea of what to expect from them.
Read more to know about their personality traits, health necessities, expenses, and more!
Breed Overview
| Height: | 12 – 18 inches |
| Weight: | 14 – 40 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 16 years |
| Coat Colors: | Black, blue, white, bridle |
| Temperament: | Playful, intelligent, independent |
| Suitable for: | Families with children; ratting; being working dogs |
What Is a Whippet Jack Russell Mix?
A Whippet Jack Russell Mix is a hybrid dog produced by crossing a Whippet and a Jack Russell Terrier. They are playful, intelligent, feisty, and loyal dogs. Due to their parents’ strong prey drive, Jackawhips normally chase smaller animals. Despite this, these dogs are highly trainable.
A Jackawhip can be taught to grab small tools, search for lost items, and alert their masters when an intruder arrives. Although they are not born with these skills, they have natural talents that make them easy to train.
Naturally, Jackawhips are not a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which only acknowledges purebred dogs.
They are also not recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) or other designer dog registries, but they can also be as expensive as other designer dogs.
Whippet Jack Russell Mix Origin and History
To have a better understanding of the origin and history of a Whippet Jack Russell Terrier Mix, it is important to briefly discuss the roots of their parent breeds.
Both the Whippet and Jack Russell were bred in England. Still, there are several interesting facts about the origin and past of these breeds.
Whippets are hound breeds developed in the 19th century with the primary purpose of chasing rabbits as a sport. They are descendants of Greyhounds and were bred for gambling entertainment.
On the other hand, Jack Russell Terriers were bred for hunting foxes and working. They were named after Reverend John Russell, the priest who bred the finest strains of these dogs due to his passion for fox hunting.
Whippets and Jack Russell dogs began to be crossbred in the 1900s for different causes. However, it is difficult to precisely determine its reason due to a lack of information.
Today, Jack Russell Whippet mix dogs are being bred due to their intelligence and loving personality. They are considered one of the best companion dogs suited for families.
Whippet Jack Russell Mix Appearance
A Whippet Terrier mix usually appears tall and slender, and they have the potential to look like a perfect blend of their parent breeds. They are often small or medium in size, making them easy to play with.
Jack Russell Whippets have floppy ears, short-length coats, and muscular bodies. Like their Jack Russell and Whippet parents, they can have black, white, and brown coat colors with black or tan markings.
They may also have a combination of tan, black, gray, or white colors like the Whippet. They can have long noses and long, slender legs.
Jack Russell Whippet mix dogs commonly have patches on the face and different parts of their bodies.
Their coats are more likely to be smooth and short. However, it could also be scruffier or rough, depending on the dominant parent trait.
Whippet Jack Russell Mix Size and Weight
Since their parent breeds are usually small to medium in size, Whippet Terrier mix dogs can only grow into this size range, making them perfect pets for any household.
An average adult Jackawhip usually weighs 30 to 40 pounds and can grow up to 14 to 18 inches tall. They are usually full-grown when they reach a year old, so it is unlikely they’ll grow much after that.
However, different factors may affect the growth and physical development of Jackawhips. Their growth usually depends on the quality of food, vitamins, nutrition, exercise, and diet of these dogs.
Whippet Jack Russell Mix Temperament and Personality
Similar to their parent breeds, Whippet Jack Russell Mix dogs are confident and feisty. It is also very common for them to chase things around because they have a high prey drive.
They are very lively and playful; therefore, they can be expected to constantly find new things to play with and quality time with their owner.
This crossbreed is very confident and alert. Jackawhips have sharp eyesight and a strong awareness of their surroundings, allowing them to detect intruders quickly.
Jack Russel Whippet mixes are pretty intelligent dogs, and this is an advantage when it comes to training them.
They love food, and it motivates them; thus, it is a good idea to bribe them with food when they are trained to obey commands.
They are also very feisty, fearless, and loyal. In fact, they are very protective of their owners and quickly become alert when they sense danger.
Jack Russel Whippet mixes are independent dogs who enjoy their time alone but also seek companionship. They can be brought into jogging and hiking activities since they also need regular exercise to stay healthy.
Thus, if you are an active owner needing a dog to do activities with, Whippet Terrier mix dogs are perfect for you.
Whippet Jack Russell Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
Jack Russell Whippet dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years, closely akin to their Jack Russell Terrier parents.
With proper nutrition, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent veterinary check-ups, you can ensure they are in perfect health and will live a long life.
Similar to other crossbreed dogs, it is difficult to predict specific health issues that can affect Whippet Jack Russell mix dogs. They might also inherit some health problems from their parents.
Listed below are the health conditions common to the Whippet Jack Russell mix:
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal condition that can occur in Whippet Jack Russell mix dogs. It is caused by inaccuracy in hip formations that results in the rubbing of bones. This can be quite painful and may develop into arthritis.
- Glaucoma: Closed-angle glaucoma is a common health condition wherein there is a sudden increase in the Jackawhip’s eye pressure that comes with severe pain, redness, and loss of vision. Certain medications can help decrease eye pressure and control pain and discomfort.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP): Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is a hereditary condition in small dog breeds like Jackawhips. It is caused by a malformed bone in the hip joint that results in pain in the leg and lameness.
They can also suffer from skin infections like scabs and bacterial and viral infections such as parvo and rabies.
How to Take Care of Your Jack Russell Whippet Mix
A balanced diet, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and good grooming is the key to keeping your Jack Russel Whippet mix healthy and happy. To unlock their full potential, they need sufficient training to become sociable pets.
The following are ways to take care of your Jackawhip:
Food and Diet
An average full-grown Jackawhip requires a daily food intake of 1 to 2 cups of dog food to stay healthy. Their diet can consist of dry, raw, or wet dog food.
Avoiding intake of high-calorie food is also vital for Jackawhips because it may cause complex health issues later on.
In addition, both Jack Russells and Whippets are known for greedily eating their food faster than normal. This makes them swallow more air, which leads to bloating, affecting their digestion.
To prevent them from guzzling their food, correcting their food aggression and getting them a slow-feeder dog bowl or a proper Whippet dog bowl would be the best option.
Cleaning and Grooming
One of the most important yet overlooked factors affecting pet dogs’ health, in general, is their cleaning and grooming requirements.
Jack Russel Whippet mixes have short fur, which makes coat maintenance less complicated and effortless.
They only need to be brushed once a week, and they need to be bathed at least once in two weeks unless they are noticeably dirty. Ear cleaning can be done during baths to prevent infection.
Trimming their nails isn’t so hard, either. It should also be done once in two weeks, and the only thing to remember is to avoid the dog’s quick. Generally, it is recommended to cut approximately two millimeters away from it.
Moreso, it is also important to ensure that their teeth are brushed a couple of times a week to prevent extra plaque from gathering in their gums and minimize oral issues.
Training and Exercise
Jack Russell Whippet mix dogs are extremely energetic; therefore, they need activities wherein they can make use of these energies to keep them physically and emotionally happy.
It is important to know that a lack of daily exercise and play time for these dog breeds may lead to destructive or anti-social behaviors.
Thus, they need at least one hour of exercise or any physical activity every day to keep them fit. It is ideal for taking them out for a walk or bringing them to a park where they can run around and play.
Jack Russell Whippet mixes can be easily trained, but they are known to have short attention spans. This means that training sessions should be kept short, and they learn well through positive reinforcement.
Watch this video to see how a Whippet and Jack Russell mix perform in training:
How much does a Jack Russell Whippet Mix Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
Jack Russell Whippet mix dogs can be quite expensive because their parent breeds are pretty costly as well. In fact, a Jack Russell Whippet mix puppy costs about $800 to $2,500, depending on the location and the breeder.
Like other dog breeds, maintaining this crossbreed can also be very pricey. They need regular vet check-ups, high-quality dog food, treats, and many more.
The following is an estimated cost of expenses for owning a Jackawhip:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food and Treats | $30 – $110 |
| Bowls | $10 – $30 |
| Toys | $20 – $60 |
| Beds | $30 – $200 |
| Collars and Leashes | $15 – $50 |
| Crates and Carriers | $30 – $370 |
| Grooming Essentials | $50 – $160 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $500 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $50 – $300 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $40 – $300 |
| Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Microchipping | $40 – $60 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Other Essentials | $20 – $50 |
| Total Initial Cost | $495 – $2,470 |
The amount of money needed to maintain a Jack Russell Whippet mix dog depends on the quality of things the owner buys for them, the fee for their vets, and their overall health.
Pet insurance is also an added expense that will benefit you and your dog in the long run.
Places to Find Whippet Jack Russell Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Jack Russells and Whippets are very loyal and playful; that’s why owning a mix of these breeds can be quite exciting. However, finding them can be pretty difficult since the unintentional breeding of these dogs is uncommon.
When looking for a cross-breed dog, it is important to visit the kennel to see the conditions of their dogs.
Below is a list of websites that advertise and may help you find different breeds of dogs, including the Jack Russell Whippet mix:
- Buck Eye Puppies – This is a website that advertises Jack Russell mixes, like the Jack Russell Whippet mix. They cater to buyers from Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. However, they do not have shipping services, so you might need to find ways to transport your puppies if you want to buy from them.
- Lancaster Puppies – This website seeks to connect breeders and their purebred or crossbred puppies, like Jack Russell Whippet mixes, to dog lovers searching for a new fur baby. This is a reputable website that makes sure the breeders on their website have the required licenses for breeding.
- Keystone Puppies – This website advertises purebred and mixed breed puppies such as the Jack Russell Whippet mixes. A good thing about its website is that they ensure the legitimacy of its breeders by conducting surprise inspections twice a year.
While Whippet Jack Russell mix dogs are lovable and expensive, they can still end up in shelters due to unforeseen events.
Below is a list of rescue organizations and adoption communities where you might find a Jack Russell Whippet mix for adoption:
- Puppyfinder – This website aims to help dog lovers find the right breed perfect for them to adopt. They are part of the online adoption community to help homeless dogs find new families. Make sure to check out their site for a Jack Russell Whippet mix.
- Mid-Atlantic Jack Rescue, Inc. – This is a rescue group dedicated to helping Jack Russell dogs and their mixes, like the Jack Russell Whippet mix, find a new home. They foster their rescued dogs until they find the best home for them.
- Adopt-a-Pet – This website helps connect neglected animals like Jack Russell Terriers and their mixes to potential new owners. They also have a feature on their website where they can send you alerts when they have a new Jack Russell Whippet mix available for adoption.
It is crucial to keep in your heart that getting a dog is a big responsibility. If you can’t commit to taking care of them for a lifetime, don’t try adopting one to avoid neglect and abandonment of these pets.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Whippet Jack Russell Mix
Owning a Jack Russell Whippet mix dog has its perks and advantages. They are cute and loving, which makes it easy for them to charm the negative energies out of your body.
However, there are also disadvantages to owning these crossbreed dogs.
To be unbiased, here is a list of the pros of owning and adopting a Whippet Jack Russell mix:
- Very intelligent dogs: Jackawhips are smart dogs, and they try to think a step ahead of their owners. And because of this, it is easier for them to be trained.
- Can quickly bond with owners: Over time, they can get protective of their favorite person in the family. They also never fail to make their favorite family member feel loved and needed.
- Loyal and hardworking: With proper training, Whippet Jack Russell mix dogs can be taught to lend a helping hand in working environments. They can even guard the house and help when searching for lost items.
- Does not drool: Because their parent breeds have a very low tendency to drool, healthy Jackawhips with no throat and teeth issues do not drool as well.
On the other hand, here are some cons of owning a Jackawhip:
- Unpredictable temperament: Jack Russells are feisty and fearless, unlike Whippets, that tend to be more reserved. Because of this, it is difficult to predict the temperament of Jackawhips.
- Can be aggressive: When provoked, a Jackawhip tends to hurt an intruder in an effort to protect their loved ones. Although this does not usually happen, it is not uncommon for them to be overly protective of their owners.
- High prey drive: Although Jackawhips are affectionate towards children, experts discourage having them around children under six years old because of their strong prey drive.
- Can make a mess in the yard: If you are someone who likes to keep your yard in place, you might be disappointed to know that Jackawhips tend to dig around like Jack Russell dogs.
By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of having a Jackawhip as a pet, you can reassess your current situation and lifestyle to see if you are suited to own this mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Whippet Jack Russell Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Yes, they are good family dogs. However, they have a very strong prey drive, and experts suggest that they are not recommended for families with children under six years old.
Do Whippet Jack Russell Mixes Shed?
Yes, Jackawhips may shed like Whippets and Jack Russell dogs. However, they do not leave a mess like other dog breeds with longer coats.
They are easy to groom because they have short coats that only require regular brushing to minimize shedding.
Are Whippet Jack Russell Mixes Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, Whippet Jack Russell mixes are not considered hypoallergenic because they still shed. Although they are more likely to shed less, they can still trigger allergies.
Final Thoughts
Whippet Jack Russell mix dogs are playful, intelligent, loyal, and protective, similar to their parent breeds. They are good pets for families with children who love to play with animals and for active individuals.
However, it is discouraged to adopt a Jackawhip if you own small animals and have children five years old or below due to this dog’s high prey drive.
With the right amount of research and tips from breeders and vets, they can be pretty easy to take care of, depending on how a person enjoys caring for their pets.
Generally, if you are looking for a pet dog that would make you feel loved and provide lifetime loyalty, then a Jackawhip just might be the perfect dog for you.
If you think you have what it takes to own a Jack Russell Whippet mix, let us know in the comments below.
