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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Is this breed going to have health issues?

17 replies

creamandpeaches · 19/08/2023 20:30

We have been looking for a while since our beloved dog was PTS.

We have stumbled across a beautiful litter of merle coloured pups; some with blue eyes.

"Mum is a chihuahua cross Jack and is just the most perfect dog. Dad is our neighbours dog, he is a stunning blue short legged Jack Russel"

Our beloved previous dog was a jack russell. So we are keen for another... but these ones obviously have the chihuahua in also.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 19/08/2023 20:31

It's a back yard breeder. Your guess is as good as mine whether they've already got health issues, infection or something else going to go wring with them.

Whu · 19/08/2023 20:34

Avoid merle. It’s not a natural colour for chi or jrt and can be linked to problems.
Sounds like a back yard breeder so probably not done any health checks.
Rescues are full of JRT’s - I’d get one from there.

Original poster
creamandpeaches · 19/08/2023 20:34

NeverDropYourMooncup · 19/08/2023 20:31

It's a back yard breeder. Your guess is as good as mine whether they've already got health issues, infection or something else going to go wring with them.

We previously got our JRT from a local farm and it very spur of the moment 17 years ago!!

So maybe we need to look into where we are going to get one firstly.

Have you any advice please?

OP posts:
Original poster
creamandpeaches · 19/08/2023 20:35

Whu · 19/08/2023 20:34

Avoid merle. It’s not a natural colour for chi or jrt and can be linked to problems.
Sounds like a back yard breeder so probably not done any health checks.
Rescues are full of JRT’s - I’d get one from there.

Ideally we'd want a puppy, purely down to the fact we have young children... unsure if that is a good thing really.

OP posts:
NeedTheSeaside · 19/08/2023 20:38

creamandpeaches · 19/08/2023 20:35

Ideally we'd want a puppy, purely down to the fact we have young children... unsure if that is a good thing really.

Show quote history

@creamandpeaches 8'd avoid a puppy with young children, personally I'd get one over 2, when you can see their temperament & they're through the gnawing in your hands stage.

Whu · 19/08/2023 20:41

Well if you want a puppy (why, when they are bitey and irratic and generally terrible with young children!) then it is more important to get one that has been raised well, good temperament, good genes.

I love JRTs and have owned lovely ones but neither they nor chihuahua would be my first choice for a family with young children. The size of them as puppies makes them vulnerable to being dropped and accidentally hurt by young children and they often end up fearful and reactive. JR’s are such active, tenacious dogs bred for work and often not great with little children who squeak and shriek!

At least with an adult dog from a reputable rescue you would have a much better idea of the dogs temperament and suitability for family life. Buying poorly bred dogs from backyard breeders helps no one.

Bideshi · 19/08/2023 20:41

Only three breeds carry the merle gene naturally, as far as I know. They are dachshunds (dapples), Great Danes (harlequins) and collies (border, rough,sheltie, Australian). The gene has been bred into other dogs - notably Frenchies - and in my view it doesn't do them any good. It's a designer breed thing. Sounds as if there's a throwback to a dachshund here which is fine but be aware that Jacks don't carry the merle gene naturally. Oddly, if the Chihuahua is a X JR, it's probably the robust element in the mix, rather than the Jack.
I suppose it would be fine - can't see why not - but you're right to be aware of the recessive gene. Owners of merle dogs have to be careful not to breed with another merle. The puppies have all sorts of problems, notably blindness.

Original poster
creamandpeaches · 19/08/2023 20:46

Thank you for all of this advice, it's great.

We don't have to go with a JRT; it's just what we know. But we also do not want a big dog.

My brother has 2 border terriers and they are great but wouldn't personally like.

My children are 11 and 3 years old.

Maybe we should wait a little longer perhaps.

We do like whippets and patterdales too.

OP posts:
Original poster
creamandpeaches · 19/08/2023 20:48

I would love a border collie but unsure with young children.

OP posts:
Unluckycat1 · 19/08/2023 20:57

Merle is a red flag for me, even with breeds in which it naturally occurs such as border collies. They sell for more and I would always worry that the breeder greatly prioritises money above health and the happiness of the dogs. Obviously there will be exceptions disclaimer...

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 20/08/2023 07:29

There's no such thing as a Merle chihuahua or a Merle Jack Russell so those dogs have something else bred into them as well - if they're small it's probably come from a dachshund.

If you want a dog for a young family you really need to go to a proper licensed breeder.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 20/08/2023 07:49

Anything merle except the VERY few breeds it naturally occurs in is a hard no.
What do you actually want from a dog? I would
not have a border collie puppy or a JRT puppy and a three year old. It’s a recipe for someone to get bitten.

To be fair there aren’t many puppies I’d have with a three year old…

HiHoHiHoltsOffToWorkWeGo · 20/08/2023 10:11

Jack Russell X chihuahua and possibly with a bit of dachshund thrown in?

It'll be nervous, yappy and prone to snapping. I've got a similar cross. Love him, but never again....

Also be wary of the issues around double merle / double dapple - some of the progeny can end up deaf and blind.

Soubriquet · 20/08/2023 10:16

I have chihuahuas and they are very hit and miss with children.

I have one who loves kids and would do anything for attention whilst the other would avoid children altogether. I’m in a chihuahua group, and that’s reported among a lot of owners. Some like kids, some don’t. Plus, they are fragile and a 3 year old could potentially harm a chi.

I would also avoid anything described as a merle. It’s bad breeding

MissBabz · 20/08/2023 10:21

If you read previous threads and research it sounds like whippets are ideal dogs for families and there usually loads of seemingly problem free ones in rescues.

Beginningless · 20/08/2023 10:27

I don’t know the answer about the health issues but having gotten a puppy with a 4yr old in the house, I can understand better now why rescue places won’t home dogs to families with preschoolers. I think there are many variables though, the temperament of the children and the dog, it’s breed. When I spoke to the rescue place they would have given us a puppy if they came in but it was quite rare and competitive. So they must view that as a better option in these circumstances than an older dog.

We have a golden retriever who is a total darling putting up with my youngest being a bit too rough, the kids wanting to dress him in scarves and hats etc. He adores playing with them and bar the nippy stage, has never been too rough with them. However from what I’ve seen of small dogs, I’m no expert, but aren’t they generally more likely to struggle with kids? Maybe from a puppy less so as it’s what they are used to.

Blanketpolicy · 20/08/2023 10:31

How much are they trying to sell this mongrel for? 🤦🏻‍♀️

As others say "blue" is not in either the Jr gene pool so there are other breeds in there.

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