Jack Russell / Chihuahua cross?

[OldGreyCat]

Hi. I have been offered a pup who is a JR / Chihuahua cross.
He is 10 weeks.

I have no experience of either of these breeds.
Are either of them especially 'nippy'?
(I appreciate it depends on the actual pup / it's socialisation etc)

I have a Basset, for whom I'd like a companion.
She is 6 and likes a snooze. Very laid back, very affectionate.

Does this sound like a marriage made in hell (potentially?)

[CMOTDibbler]

I know someone with a dog who is this cross. Based on this dog, I would run swiftly away, especially with a laid back dog who likes a snooze.

[Floralnomad]

If you don't want nippy and you want chilled I would avoid .

[ExBallerina]

I have a Chihuahua and my dad has a Jack Russell. We don't get the two of them together because we can't hear each other talk

They are both the antithesis of chill and laid back, however, your Bassett may be a good balance for this.

As he's young, with proper socialization and training he might be just fine.

PS I bet he's adorable!

[OldGreyCat]

He's lovely but I don't want to make my Bassie's life miserable with a nippy wee thing dancing round her legs driving her nuts (she might just sit on him!?)

[banff82]

I've seen quite a lot of this particular cross coming through the practice in the last couple of years. If you want a dog that is likely to be more laid-back and less bitey then I would avoid this combination. Both JRTs and Chis are on my "more likely to try to bite me when I examine them" list. Both breeds tend to be on the vocal/yappy side too.

[OldGreyCat]

That's useful, Banff82 thank you.

Could you recommend a smallish breed that is calm please?
I don't mind vocal (it wont 'out-noise' my Basset, that's for sure...) but I have an 8 year old and an 11 year old so I don't want bitey...

I'd have another Basset if I could but I don't think I could manage to walk two of them, as mine is really big and strong, so I was hoping for a smaller companion animal.

[TrionicLettuce]

How small a breed are you wanting?

They're medium sized rather than small but whippets are lovely, gentle and generally very chilled out. They do fold up nice and neatly as well so they seem much smaller than they are

[Floralnomad]

I would worry that the Bassett would squish a whippet ! What about a Cavalier , health problems aside all the ones I know are really chilled .

[LimpidPools]

I have one and I'm going to disagree with everyone else. He's lovely! He seems to have the best bits of both breeds.

When he goes out, he's got bags of energy to run around and go for hours. He is also fiercely loyal. Those are the JRT characteristics.

When he's at home, all he wants to do is cuddle and sleep. I think that's the chihuahua.

Drawbacks are, he barks at postmen and the doorbell and he prefers chasing rabbits to responding to his name.

Disclaimer - he is a rescue dog, so I don't know the exact proportions of the mix.

[LimpidPools]

He's never bitten anyone to my knowledge either.

[OldGreyCat]

Small, I think.
the Basset was much bigger than expected.
she was a private re-home.
she is utterly lovely but when I saw the size of her .
but I couldn't leave her where she was.
I'd never get another big dog past H... otherwise I'd go for another BAsset like a shot. But the amount she eats and the space she takes...

I've had Spaniels before and they need miles and miles of walks. I cant do that now. I can do two or three short walks a day (around 1 mile) and lots of cuddles plus at home all day.
So, calm,

[Floralnomad]

None of the cavs I know do a mega amount of walking . How about a bichon or a Shitzu ?

[OldGreyCat]

I had a rescue Cav years ago who was an utter nightmare and put me off, tbh.
I do like the look of Jack R's.
Just wasn't sure if they were nippy as a breed and if that increased if they were mixed with a Chihuahua.

[tabulahrasa]

I wouldn't go JRT if spaniels are too high energy for you, they're kind of up there in terms of activity levels.

Show cocker? If you want a slightly more chilled spaniel.

Bichons as already mentioned are nice wee companion dogs.

I don't think a basset would squash a whippet...that's a good suggestion too.

[daisy5569]

I always thought jack Russell were snappy and happy, that was until I had one. I can honestly say she was fantastic, a bit high energy, lived a mad run every now and then but didn't bark any more than other dogs and was fantastic at the vets and meeting new people. Sadly she's no longer with me but I would have another without question

[ScrappyMalloy]

Shih Tzu shih tzu shih tzu shih tzu shih tzu.

They change your life, I promise

[digerd]

A friend has a JR X chi and he is sweet, friendly with dogs and people and weighs 4 kilos. I fell in love with him and even my fussy with other dogs shih tzu girl loves him and all his friends are very protective towards him.
He is also obedient.

There is another sweet, friendly smallish dog who is a mini schnauzer X bichon frise but may be too lively for your older girl Bassie.

[rhodes2015]

i have one!
shes 4, very snoozy, nosey, chilled out happy girl!
she barks when someone knocks at the door but thats it. shes was abit nippy as a pup but not now at all! shes really pleasant and loves cuddling up to us when watching tv but she also loves tug toys, and will wait forever for someone to throw her a ball. shes very sweet with kids. she will rip the post up if she is anywhere near the door when the postman comes but she has never chewed anything in our home. have loved every minute of her!

[OldGreyCat]

Oooh, rhodes that is very encouraging.

She is luffly. Soooo cute.

do you have any other (full body) pics to give me an idea of size etc?

thank you.

digird my bassie weighs 34 kilos... this is also encouraging. thank you.x

[ouryve]

My parents have one and he's actually extremely chilled. Likes his home comforts. Only barks when he wants to come in from a wee.

He's a compulsive leg cocker, though. Can't pass anything on a walk without doing a little side kick!

[rhodes2015]

thanks oldgreycat shes a joy!
she weighs 1stone!
the pic with the ball was taken when she was 2 years old. the pic on the bean bag earlier this year. we picked her because i wanted a small dog but DH couldn't see himself walking a chihuahua
shes very much jack russell looking but shes small with large ears.

[SugarPlumTree]

I trod on one last week. Absolutely not on purpose, it ran up behind me and the first I knew it was there was when my foot landed on it. Luckily it wasn't hurt and I remained upright.

It is incredibly lively, fast and rarely with the owner, who frankly is utterly shut, so this may have a bit to do with it. There's a group of 3 or 4 of us who walk and we have to stop every time it comes over as we're terrified of standing on it. My dog is lab size and it's quite stressful watching them play.

It has very little recall but I think that is to do with the owner who just shouts please don't feed him when we've stopped at the end of the walk to give our dog treats and she can't be bothered to relieve hers. That feels better, been longing to moan about the situation.

[OldGreyCat]

Oh, Cute Cute Cute.

[firesidechat]

I hate to generalise about a particular breed because we all know that every dog is unique, but the Jack Russells I know tend to be on the nippy side. If you don't want a nippy dog then I would avoid.

[firesidechat]

I'm not anti JR by the way. They have wonderful big characters and I would love to own one myself, but not sure if I would risk it.