Jack Russell x Bichon Frise

[passanotherbiscuit]

Hi. Wondering if anyone could please give any advise or experience on a Jack Russell x Bichon please? We have been thinking of a puppy for quite a while and we know the most lovely little Jack Russell very well from a farm we visit each week for horse riding. She will bark initially but as soon as she sees you as not an intruder she will be very affectionate with anyone. Often jumps in my arms to be cuddled. Not bitey, lives with another dog and 2 cats on the yard. Plus two children.
This gorgeous little dog is now having some puppies, the dad is a Bichon Frise who is said to also have an incredible temperament.

We are very tempted by getting one of her little puppies but my mother in law is advising against as we have 3 children (8, 6 and 3) and thinks a Jack Russell mix wouldn’t be happy in our house and not suitable around young children. So now I’m uncertain. For reference to our lifestyle for the dog, we have a big long garden, I work from home so would have constant company and would the plan would be to walk in AM and early evening.

Any tips from anyone would be hugely appreciated, as we research in to whether we’re the right home for this pup!

[adaline]

Jack Russells are not an easy breed.

Why have they bred this particular litter?

[Hoppinggreen]

I’m not keen on Jack Russells, I don’t think they are the best with children, although I’m sure there are exceptions and Terriers can be tricky anyway. The pups might be more Bichon but they could be 100% JRT.
I would also want to know why they have let them mate

[spot102]

My jack is not trustworthy around small children. And definitely needs a firm hand. And a fair amount of exercise/attention. However, he moved in with us when my youngest was around 7 or 8 and has not been a problem with the kids in the home, only sundry outsiders. he was about a year old when we got him, so MAY have had unpleasant experience with kids or he may just be conforming to type. They don't have a reputation for being the most tolerant of dogs. Know nothing of bichon frise, only that I would avoid due to too much hair! If mums got a nice temperament, that's a good sign anyway.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

We had a JRTx bitch when the DC were small, and she was brilliant with them. Her brother was a little bastard, but he was spoilt rotten with no boundaries.

Anything with JRT in it will need to be well-socialised, well-exercised, and have some work done on its recall and general manners. It is also quite likely to bark. A lot.

[TeacupRex]

Any crossbreed is a crapshoot - in that it can inherit any combination of traits from either breed. Small dogs can easily be frightened by young children because of their size, and sometimes do resort to snapping if they are scared.

Remember that Jack Russells were traditionally bred for hunting vermin, they are tough, scrappy little dogs that have minds of their own and aren't afraid of a challenge (typical of terriers) - they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them entertained, otherwise they WILL find their own fun. Which usually comes in the form of being destructive in the house, digging and escaping! Jacks are notorious Houdinis, and will dig under fences to get out of the garden.

Bichons are much more suited to being docile family pets as they were bred purely as companion dogs. That said, they are quite sensitive and do best with gentle handling. They require frequent brushing at home as well as trips to a professional groomer to keep their coats mat-free.

Both of these breeds have a potential for excessive barking/yapping. Is there a reason why they decided to cross a Jack Russell with a Bichon or was it an oops litter? They both seem like fairly polar opposites in regards to breed type.

[longearedbat]

Well our jrt loved children. However any little creatures (rats, mice, rabbits etc) were killed instantly if he got hold of them. I've never seen such a quick, efficient and happy killer! I would think a bichon cross would dilute this tendency a bit, but it may still be there. Sounds like a pleasant cross.
Of course, according to mumsnet no one should breed puppies at all because they don't know what they are doing, they are all back yard breeders, and yada yada, and all dogs should come from a rescue, so you will get the usual sort of weary answers.

[AutumnColours9]

My friend has one and it is a lovely dog and great with her 3 DC. Quite quirky looking and cute.

I have a bichon and she is amazing. However very lively and stubborn. Perfect with kids. However quite yappy... but is still a pup.

Grooming is ok as we keep coat short which costs 40 quid every 6 weeks. I brush her most days with a slicker and eye comb.

I think chances are it will be a nice dog personally

[User07]

We have a cross JRT, she is lovely. We have to watch her with the our children but she is an older lady now, really any dog needs to be watched with children though. She is a very easy house dog did have lots of training and strong ground rules when she was younger.

[EleanorReally]

JRT are lovely, full of character, very rewarding, previous JRT did bark but this current one does not bark, cannot see why there would be a problem with your dc

[beachcomber70]

I had a jack Russell x dachshund and she was a lovely friendly dog. She wasn't a barker either, only barking at unusual noises...so very rarely.
She was fine with children but none she met pulled her about as they were all older. She would just cuddle on the sofa with them.
Some crosses are going to be just fine, some others maybe not. But I think a JR x bichon should make for a nice enough dog if the parents temperament was ok and the pup is brought up correctly.