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Cocker Jack (Cocker Spaniel & Jack Russell Terrier Mix): Info, Pics, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Cocker Jack (Cocker Spaniel & Jack Russell Terrier Mix)

Height: 12–14 inches
Weight: 15–30 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: White, brown, black and tan, black and white
Suitable for: Seasoned pet owners, singles, and couples
Temperament: Affectionate, happy, active, and clingy

The Cocker Jack is a mixed breed created by mixing the Cocker Spaniel with the Jack Russell Terrier. This breed is a small to medium-sized dog that can resemble one parent more than the other. If they look more like the Spaniel, they will have long silky hair and floppy ears. If they take after the Terrier, they will have short, smooth hair with a pointed tail. They have large oval eyes, a rounded head, and a long muzzle.

The origin of the Cocker Jack is mostly unknown. There is little information regarding when or where the first breeders created it. However, it’s apparent it was bred to be active and friendly.Divider 1

Cocker Jack Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Cocker Jack varies in popularity around the country, which affects the demand and therefore price you might find one of these puppies. We recommend you do as much research as you can before you make a purchase. Finding an ethical breeder is essential to find someone who can provide you with a healthy puppy. Cocker Jacks might not be easy to find in a shelter but you can always ask for a hybrid that resembles this dog breed.

Cocker Jacks tend to be sweet and affectionate dogs. They love spending time with their human companions and can get very clingy. They’re a great choice for someone who can spend a lot of time with them throughout the day to avoid boredom and separation anxiety.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cocker Jack

1. They are known lap dogs.

The Cocker Jack is one of the most lap-prone dog breeds around.


2. The Cocker Jack is a force to be reckoned with.

The design of the Jack Russell Terrier parent combines speed with the ability to attack from a position low to the ground.


3. Became a household name because of a famous movie.

The Cocker Spaniel saw a resurgence in popularity after the movie Lady and the Tramp.

Parent Breeds of the Cocker Jack
Image Credit: (L) Lenkadan, Shutterstock | (R) Jumpstory

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Cocker Jack 🧠

The Cocker Jack is an affectionate animal that loves to play and be the center of attention, but it also likes to lay on your lap and watch television. We can’t think of another breed that likes to climb on you the way this one does. They can be stubborn and difficult to train if you don’t get them started very early, and even then, they are often determined to get their way.

They are playful but don’t enjoy getting their hair or tails pulled, and they don’t like getting knocked around.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Cocker Jack is not great with families that have small children because they can become snappy if their hair or tail gets pulled. Otherwise, they are friendly and good-natured and enjoy the company of humans. This breed will always stick to the feet of its owner.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Cocker Jack gets along with almost all animals, including cats, and will often play with them if they are not getting enough attention from you. Their friendly nature and desire to play help them become fast friends with even the most discriminating dogs.

cocker jack
Credit: Larina Marina, shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a Cocker Jack

Here is a list of things to consider before you purchase your Cocker Jack. You’ll need to ask yourself if you can meet the demands of the animal for many years into the future.

Food and Diet Requirements 🦴

A fully grown Cocker Jack will require about one cup of food per day spread out over three meals a day. Foods that contain omega fatty acids can help improve your dog’s health, especially while they are still growing, but ask your vet before using any specialized foods like grain-free, or senior. We urge you to look for foods that contain whole vegetables like broccoli and carrots, as well as foods with high-quality meat.

The higher an ingredient is on the ingredients list, the more of that item is in the food. Avoid corn, sugars, and dangerous chemical preservatives.

Daily Exercise Requirements 🐕

The Cocker Jack is an energetic dog that requires a medium amount of activity per week. We recommend walking your dog for about 8 miles every week to make sure it is receiving enough exercise to stay happy and healthy.

Training 🦮

The Cocker Jack is very difficult to train because it is a very stubborn dog, especially when it comes to this type of repetitive training. It can be housetrained without trouble and will learn certain commands over time, but using a traditional training approach to get your pet to sit, speak, and roll over will be extremely challenging for most Cocker Jack owners.

Patience and persistence are key, and you can never let your pet see you get agitated while training.

Grooming ✂️

Most Cocker Jack will need little more than brushing twice a week to keep their fur free of debris and remove any loose hairs. Bathing will rarely be necessary, nor will professional grooming or hair trimming. The ears will need constant supervision to keep them clean and free of moisture. Regular tooth brushing is also required to prevent your Cocker Jack from experiencing tooth decay.

Health and Conditions ❤️

In this section, we’ll discuss some of the health conditions that can plague your Cocker Jack in its lifetime. We’ve divided them into major and minor conditions, but all health problems need serious and immediate attention.

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts

Cataracts are a condition that often affects old age, but it is more common when passed on through genetics, as is the case for the Cocker Jack. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens that can lead to blurred vision as well as blindness. Symptoms of cataracts include a bluish haze over the lens of the eye that gets worse over time. Untreated cataracts can lead to glaucoma.

  • Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects many breeds of dogs, and there’s little that you can do to prevent it. This disease is another genetic condition that affects the way the thigh bone connects to the hip socket. When they don’t fit together just right, they will wear down over time and reduce your pet’s mobility as well as cause considerable pain. Hip dysplasia will advance quicker in obese and overactive dogs.

Serious Conditions
  • Skin Allergies

Allergies are much more common in dogs than many people realize, and the reaction to these allergies often manifests as itchy skin. Flea bites, dermatitis, and a reaction to pollen can all create a rash on your Cocker Jacks’ paws and ears. If you notice hives or red, inflamed skin, it’s time to take your pet to the vet. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive licking.

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is a condition that resembles hip dysplasia but is a result of the ball part of the femur joint disintegrating instead of the point being misshapen. This condition is just as painful as hip dysplasia and has many of the same symptoms, but this condition often starts with a limp that gets worse over a few weeks.

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Male vs Female

Male and female Cocker Jack differ slightly in appearance but are extremely similar otherwise. The female Cocker Jack is generally up to ten pounds lighter. Female Cocker Jacks also stand about an inch shorter, while male Cocker Jacks can be several inches longer from front to back.

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Summary

The Cocker Jack breed is a fantastic pet to have if you live alone or have a family with grown children. These dogs have a personality that can be well-developed, and they can stubbornly demand to get their way. They are not very easy to train, but they are very intelligent and make a great companion.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over this in-depth look at the Cocker Jack dog breed and have found it as interesting as we do. If we have got you interested in purchasing one of these fantastic animals, please share this guide to the Cocker Jack dog breed on Facebook and Twitter.

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Featured image credit: Larina Marina, Shutterstock

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