Jackapoo

A medium sized, black dog with long, scruffy hair and floppy ears, wearing a red harness, sits alert ready for the next command during a training session.

Jackapoo

5 May 2023

Reviewed by Dr Jill McMaster BVM&S MBA MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon and in-house expert at BorrowMyDoggy on 26 May 2023

So you’re interested in learning more about Jackapoos? Perhaps you’re considering getting one of your own - why not experience the breed first and borrow a pooch in your local area?

Sign up to BorrowMyDoggy today

Or maybe you’re a new Jackapoo owner (congratulations on your pup addition!) looking for some extra support. Did you know BorrowMyDoggy connects you with verified and trusted borrowers who can help with exercise and company?

Sign up to browse nearby borrowers

Loyal, affectionate and happy dogs - what’s not to love about the Jackapoo? Whether you’re thinking of borrowing one or getting your own, we’ve pulled together lots of fun and interesting facts you should know about the breed, courtesy of the Jackapoo owners in our community.

Overview of article:

Local Jackapoos on BorrowMyDoggy

Jackapoo names

Exercise needs 3/5, grooming ease 4/5, trainability 4/5

Let’s talk about… Jackapoos: what are they

Jackapoos are a cross between a Jack Russell terrier and a toy or miniature poodle.
They are also called Jackadoodles.
They were bred as a pet, to create a dog that benefits from the positives of both the poodle and the Jack Russell terrier.
This cross is thought to have originated in the USA in the 1990s, and is often described as a ‘designer dog’.
Their size can vary depending on the size of the poodle (toy or miniature)
In general they are 24-38cm in height.
They weigh between 5 and 12kg
Their life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years.

Doggy member Sailor, the Jackapoo, in a basket on a bicycle — Doggy member Sailor, the Jackapoo

What is the temperament of Jackapoos like?

Jackapoos are happy, even-tempered dogs, and as long as they get enough exercise and stimulation they can be pretty low-maintenance.
They can be great with families, especially active ones that are confident with training them.
They tend to get on well with other dogs, if like any dog they are socialised well when they are young.
They are always keen to chase and investigate when they are out, and can try to escape a garden (including by climbing or digging), if they think there might be an adventure to find!
Jackapoos do like to bark, as well as enjoying a good howl. They can often bark when their owners leave. There will be individual exceptions, but overall they are not thought of as a quiet breed.

What kind of exercise do Jackapoos need?

Jackapoos are a fairly active breed so will need daily exercise of at least an hour.
They are also very playful dogs, so make sure to factor in lots of playtime.
They excel at flyball and it’s a great way for them to get stimulated and burn some energy.
They are smart too, so they love to get their brain working with activities like Easter Egg Hunts as well as indoor interactive toys

Doggy member Brody, the Jackapoo, smiling at the camera with his tongue out — Doggy member Brody, the Jackapoo

Do Jackapoos need a lot of grooming?

Jackapoos coats can vary from more wiry like the Jack Russell to the curlier poodle coat.
They can come in a wide range of different colours including black, black and white, brown, golden and grey
Jackapoos do not tend to need more than regular brushing and washing when they’re dirty, like when they’ve rolled in something they think is wonderful like fox poo!
If they have a finer, curlier poodle coat they may need regular groomer visits.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.

Are Jackapoos easy to train?

Jackapoos are intelligent and can learn very quickly, responding well to positive reinforcement training.
However, as they are part Jack Russell Terrier they can be a little stubborn if they don’t want to do something
They can be quite independent, meaning they often would rather do their own thing.
Training a Jackapoo involves being confident, keeping them engaged and being consistent!
Anyone training a Jackapoo needs a lot of patience.

Doggy member Leif, the Jackapoo, out on a walk near a river wearing a pawsome orange life jacket — Doggy member Leif, the Jackapoo

What do Jackapoos eat?

Jackapoos should eat a good quality dog food twice a day as adults.
Jackapoo puppies should transition from puppy to adult food at between 9 and 12 months old, but as every puppy and food brand is different, always check with your vet and/or food producer.
They are notorious for putting on weight, and often eat anything and eat it very fast. A slow-feeder can be great for a Jackapoo, to give mental stimulation and slow down how quickly they finish their meals!
Watch out for things they shouldn’t eat when out on a walk, as their nose can often be faster to pick up a scent, than we are at seeing it!

Are Jackapoos healthy?

In general Jackapoos are bred to be healthy, working dogs, but like any breed there are a few conditions they are more prone to than other breeds:

Neurological -
- Epilepsy - a condition of the brain that causes dogs to have fits
- Meningitis - a serious condition caused by inflammation of areas around the brain and spinal cord
Eyes -
- Cherry Eye - different to humans, dogs have a third eyelid, and when the tear gland of this third eyelid becomes swollen it can pop out and is called a cherry eye (as it looks like a cherry in the inside corner of the eye)
Ears -
- Outer Ear infections - the ear canal, and sometimes the ears flaps have an overgrowth of bacteria, yeast etc. which can cause signs including irritation, inflammation, smell and thickening of the ear canal tissue
Hormonal -
- Hypothyroidism - a condition where your dog does not produce enough thyroid hormone
Weight -
- Obesity - this is when your dog is beyond the normal margins of weight for the breed and their build

Always make sure to have your dog insured, so you don’t get caught out with any unexpected vet bills.

Our vet top tip for Jackapoos

“Jackapoos are super, super smart, so can be very good at accessing things at home they shouldn’t. Be very careful when storing anything that could be harmful to your Jackapoo, or they could work out how to get to it!”

BorrowMyDoggy loves Jackapoos

BorrowMyDoggy has 741 Jackapoo members in the UK.

What do BorrowMyDoggy owners and borrowers say about their jackapoos?

Kelly, Owner of Beanie

Beanie is a very loving, energetic dog who is 1 years old and still very puppy like. He loves to make new friends, people and dogs alike go for lots of walks and have lots of playtime.

Karen, Owner of Bella

Bella is a wonderfully happy dog. She gets on well gets on well with other dogs and loves to play. Her greetings are a delight, as with a wriggle of her behind she shows how pleased she is to see you. She brightens up my day and is sure to bring a smile to all who meet her.

Gemma, Owner of Bibi

Bibi is amazing! She loves everyone she meets and is a pleasure to be around. She is only a puppy but is responding well to training and is great off the lead as long as you have treats with you!

And what are some of our Jackapoos’ quirks?

Rhiannon, Owner of Donnie

Donnie is one of the most charasmatic and gentle dog you will ever meet. The most danger is poses is licking someone to death...

Sandra, Owner of Barney

His party trick is walking on his back legs which being quite small he often does when he wants to see over things

Jackapoo Names

The most popular name for a Jackapoo on BorrowMyDoggy is Teddy.

Most common Jackapoo names on BorrowMyDoggy:

Teddy
Poppy
Lola
Freddie
Alfie

Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.

Want to borrow a Jackapoo in your area? Register for free to discover Jackapoos searching for new friends in your neighbourhood!

Find out more about Basset Hounds Find out more about Bearded Collies