Jackmatian (Dalmatian Jack Russell Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
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Also called the Jackmatian, the Dalmatian Jack Russell mix is a relatively rare crossbreed between the medium-large fireman’s mascot and the fearless hunting dog. As a hybrid, the Jackmatian can inherit a wide range of physical and personality traits from both parents’ breeds. That makes them very hard to get accurate metrics on, as one dog can be very different from another, even in the same litter.
| Height: | 15–24 inches |
| Weight: | 18–70 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Colors: | White, black, tan, brown |
| Suitable for: | Active households with or without kids, active singles or seniors |
| Temperament: | Devoted, affectionate, energetic, trainable |
The Dalmatian has a spotted (pun intended) history of odd jobs, with their most famous roles as a firehouse dog and Disney movie stars. Most people know the Dalmatian as the quintessential spotted dog, but may not know they’re extremely loving, loyal dogs too. Dals are usually shy dogs that prefer to stay with their familiar family and surroundings.
On the other hand, you have the more diminutive but spirited Jack Russel, who was bred for hunting and companionship. These dogs are more outgoing than the mild Dalmatian, which can be just the thing to temper the Dalmatian’s timidity. However, Jackmatians are as individual as snowflakes and are hard to pin down.
Jackmatian Characteristics
Jackmatian Breed Puppies
As crossbreeds, you’re not going to find a Jackmatian from a reputable breeder. That doesn’t mean you can’t find accidental litters, though. Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other local social media to skim for accidental litters near you. The good part about getting a mixed breed pup is that they’re always cheaper than a purebred, which often saves you a ton of cash up front.
Jackmatians can take after their Dal parent and grow to be big, heavy, gangly athletes or stay small like the Jack Russel. As adults they can weigh as little as 20 pounds or less, but larger Jackmatians approach full Dalmatian size. This same variability applies to their colorings, too. You’ll be interested to know that Jackmatians do tend to keep the Dal’s spots but with some twists added by the Jack Russel DNA.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Jackmatian
The Jackmatian comes from two very intelligent, trainable, and eager-to-please dog breeds, which means they’re a pleasure to work with. They love to explore, meet new friends, run, play, or just hang out inside by the TV. Sometimes this intelligence can give them a big head and make them stubborn or easily distractible, so be aware that you’ll have your hands full from the get-go.
Jackmatians develop a very strong bond with their family and have a healthy skepticism toward strangers, but they’re not overly aggressive or mouthy by nature. They make especially excellent watchdogs if allowed to roam a secure yard, but they’ll definitely keep you apprised of any strangers at the door too.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Absolutely. Jackmatians are an attractive, manageable medium size, and as hybrids, tend to gain the best traits from each parent’s breed. The Dalmatian and Jack Russel are both extremely loyal companions, even if their histories are very different. Both breeds are affable with kids, but larger Jackmatians might not know their own strength when playing with young kids.
Overall, they can work for almost anyone willing to put in the work of socializing them from a young age. We’re talking about a lot of people, places, scents, sights, and other experiences from a young age and on a regular basis, and with plenty of positive reinforcement along the way, of course.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Jackmatians have an agreeable temperament, but the Jack Russel’s especially high prey drive makes them poor roommates for prey animals like bunnies or guinea pigs. Dogs are usually fine, on the other hand, with proper socialization from a young age.
Their attitude toward cats may depend on the individual kitty’s personality and the dog’s personality, too. Dalmatians aren’t especially interested in cats most of the time, but Jack Russels can get feisty, for example.
So, ultimately, some Jackmatians make perfectly cordial housemates with a wide range of pets, but mainly dogs and some cats. Others may be more troublesome, however, but there’s no way to tell.
Things to Know When Owning a Jackmatian:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Jackmatians are very active dogs, which means they’ll need high-quality dog food with at least 20–25% protein. Grains aren’t necessarily bad but are often used as substitutes for protein in cheaper kibble brands. As with most breeds, they’ll eat more frequent small servings as a puppy and progress to two or three standard-sized meals.
As part Dalmatians, Jackmatians are vulnerable to kidney conditions from foods high in purine. Beef and most fish have lots of purine, so you want to veer toward chicken, turkey, lamb, or tuna instead. Eating lots of high-purine food can make your Jackmatian develop painful bladder stones over time, so don’t skip this!
Exercise 🐕
Both Jack Russels and Dalmatians are very active dogs with tons of energy to burn, and we recommend having access to a secure outdoor space so they can roam and play. One to two hours should be plenty for most Jackmatians, but exercise doesn’t end at the door! Judicious use of puzzle toys like snuffle mats and Kongs can help give them some mental enrichment and tire them out in the bargain.
Training 🎾
As mentioned, Jackmatians are bright and easy to train because of their naturally eager-to-please attitude. They’ll gladly work for food or even just toys, and they catch on quicker than average. We strongly recommend at least basic obedience for Jackmatians, as they can usually learn the safety essential commands like “come,” “stay,” and “go” from a young age.
Socialization is also critical during training to prevent bad behaviors like unwanted barking, destructive chewing, or destructive digging. Start with short 5-minute sessions as a puppy and slowly lengthen the sessions as they grow and appear to hold their attention on you for longer. Eventually, you want to aim for two or three 10–15-minute sessions per day.
Grooming ✂️
Unless either parent was longhaired, a Jackmatian almost always turns out with a short manageable cross somewhat between the coarse Jack Russel coat and the smoother, denser Dalmatian coat. These types of coats are deceptively known as low shedding, but they’re closer to a moderate shedder. Expect weekly sessions with a de-shedding comb, though mats should be rare.
Most of the time, a simple comb-through will get most of the dead hair and skin off, but it’s up to you. Along with regular baths and a good vacuum, that should be plenty enough to keep your Jackmatian’s coat in great shape.
Health & Conditions 🏥
Thankfully, the Jackmatian usually turns out strong, and they have fairly tame health issues to watch out for compared to other dogs and especially purebreds. Check some of those conditions out below to stay aware.
- Skin problems
- Deafness
- Eye problems
- Dental conditions
- Hemolytic anemia
Male vs Female
There really aren’t any big differences between males and females. However, most males are slightly larger than females in all dog breeds, and males do tend to be a bit cuddlier compared to the independent females.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Jackmatian
1. Jackmatians May Have Hybrid Vigor
Hybrid vigor is an effect when a crossbreed turns out genetically stronger than either parent by excluding their rarer bad genes and taking only the best genes from both sides. In a lot of cases, this translates to a healthier life and fewer major issues down the road.
2. Jackmatians Can Have Eyebrows
If their Jack Russel parent had a long-haired broken coat, your Jackmatian may develop furry eyebrows or a goatee-like tuft on their chin.
3. Family History is Essential
Purebred dogs come with a history, but many crossbreeds don’t. In cases like the Jackmatian where they can dramatically vary in appearance and temperament, you can tell a lot about your dog by checking into their parents.
Final Thoughts
Jackmatians are a new crossbreed that hasn’t quite hit mainstream popularity yet, but maybe one day soon they will! This cross between the Dalmatian and Jack Russel has a heart of gold, stalwart loyalty, and a lot of potential looks, depending on their parents.
Read Also:
- 13 Incredible Dalmatian Facts You’ll Love to Learn
- Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: (L) Gemma Regalado, Unsplash | (R) Maria Ivanushkina, Shutterstock
