The Jorkie is a wonderful combination of 2 popular Terrier breeds—the Jack Russell Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
This new designer dog has obtained many good qualities from his parent breeds. Get to know more about his lineage, appearance, and personality as you read on.
Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier History
Like many mixed-breed dogs, the origins of the Jorkie are not well-documented. His exact homeland remains unidentified. But some speculate that these designer dogs first came into existence in the United States around 20 or 30 years ago.
Many believe that accidental breeding of the Jack Russell Yorkie mix has happened throughout history.
Most likely, the pooch was viewed as a mutt instead of a designer breed during these periods. Hence, there is a lack of records about their breeding process.
The Jorkie is considered a relatively new breed. Thus, major dog organisations like the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club in the UK are yet to recognise him as a purebred canine.
However, other canine clubs, including the International Designer Canine Registry and the American Canine Hybrid Club, accept Jack Russell Yorkie mixes in their registry.
Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier Size
The parent breeds that were used to develop the Jorkie are small terrier dogs. The Jack Russell stands around 25–38 centimetres (10–15 inches) tall and weighs between 6–8 kilos (13–18 pounds).
On the other hand, the Yorkshire Terrier has a height ranging from 15–17 centimetres (6–7 inches) and a weight of 1–4 kilos (2–9 pounds).
Now, if you are wondering: “How big does a Jack Russell Yorkie mix get?” expect him to be a small pooch like his parents.
A Jack Russell mix generally measures around 22–33 centimetres (9–13 inches) in height and weighs approximately 6–8 kilos (10–18 pounds).
However, keep in mind that the breed is not yet developed enough to have a consistent size. Some Yorkie Russells will be smaller, like the Yorkshire Terrier, whilst others tend to be bigger, similar to the Jack Russell.
Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier Appearance
The physical attributes of the Jorkie are unpredictable. As we have mentioned, the intentional breeding of this designer dog started just a few years back. As a result, the appearance of the Jack Russell Terrier mix is diverse rather than uniform.
Many Jorkies have small round heads, dark eyes, and bushy tails. Those that take after the Jack Russell may inherit elongated snouts and floppy ears.
Others share a close resemblance to the Yorkshire Terrier with their short muzzles and prick ears. Some may even grow mustaches and beards.
The coat of the Jack Russell Terrier mix can either be medium or long. His fur has a smooth texture that is silky to the touch. This designer dog’s coat can come in various colours, including brown, black, white, and tan.
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Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier Personality
The Jorkie is an affectionate lapdog with a bold personality, which is a trait found in both of his parents. He enjoys human companionship and wants to be a part of fun family activities.
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We often come across the question: “Is a Jack Russell Terrier mix a good dog for families with children?” The Jack Russell Terrier mix can get along well with older children because they have more awareness of how to handle small dogs properly.
The same cannot be said for younger children like toddlers. They might become too rambunctious during playtime with the Jorkie. Thus, it would be safer to avoid keeping them together.
Another frequently asked question is: “Are Jorkies good dogs for multipet households?”
The Jack Russell Terrier mix can be raised in a multipet household. However, his canine pals should be the same size as him to keep them safe from injuries when playing.
However, housing this pooch with smaller animals, such as cats and rabbits, is not advised. Due to his Terrier lineage, the Jorkie tends to have a high prey drive and might try to chase down small pets.
Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier Training
Because of his Terrier lineage, the Jorkie is a quick learner and possesses high intelligence. However, his stubbornness can be a big hurdle during training.
Divide training sessions into small 5–10-minute periods. This will help him retain focus and reduce the frequency of distractions.
Using positive reinforcement will help motivate the Jack Russell Terrier mix to do his best. Offer him rewards such as treats, praises, or toys every time he flawlessly carries out a command.
Another prevalent training problem in Jorkies is housebreaking. Small dogs have small bladders. Thus they have trouble holding it in. They will require more potty breaks than larger dogs.
Always be patient when training a Jorkie. Avoid harsh corrections and punishments since he does not take them well. Consistency is also a big factor in making significant progress in training.
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Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier Exercise Needs
The Jorkie is an offspring of 2 high-energy hunting dogs. Thus, he also requires an active lifestyle like his parents. Keeping this designer dog indoors for long periods will make him bored and cultivate destructive behaviours such as nuisance barking.
To expend the Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier’s energy, he should have 60–90 minutes of exercise daily. Activities need to be physically and mentally stimulating to satisfy him.
Go for games like fetch, hide-and-seek, and obstacle course. Taking the Jorkie out for short walks multiple times a day is a good idea too. Also, consider signing him up for dog sports since he has promising skills in flyball and agility.
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Jack Russell Cross Yorkshire Terrier Health Issues
What is the life expectancy of a Jack Russell Yorkie mix? Small dogs like the Jorkie tend to have longer life expectancies than larger dogs since they age slower. This designer breed can live for up to 13–15 years if well taken care of.
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The Jorkie’s mixed-breed lineage also makes them less vulnerable to developing ailments. However, it does not entirely remove the risk. He may still inherit ailments prevalent in the Jack Russell and Yorkshire Terrier breeds, such as:
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition caused by the dislocation of the patella or kneecaps. Dogs affected by this health issue may experience lameness.
The treatment of patellar luxation depends on its severity. Mild cases often require weight management, pain medications, and exercise restrictions. Severe forms of the condition will need surgical treatment.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
This skeletal problem is a result of the degeneration of the femur. It alters the structure of the affected bone, causing pain and limping. Without proper treatment, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease may induce arthritis in dogs.
This health problem can be managed through pain medications and obesity prevention. If it becomes severe, surgery will be recommended for treatment.
To own a healthy Jorkie, look for a reputable breeder. They are knowledgeable about the prevalent health issues in the breed. Thus, their breeding process is thorough and meticulous.
Potential dogs for breeding will be health-screened to ensure that they are unlikely to pass off hereditary diseases. Once the offspring are born, health testing will be carried out too.
Remember to ask for the health certificates of both the parent and your chosen Jorkie puppy. This will serve as proof that the breeder is doing their due diligence to produce healthy canines.
