Jacktese (Jack Russell Terrier Maltese Mix): Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

The Jacktese is a friendly, lively combination of the Jack Russell and Maltese breeds. Like other hybrid dogs, they’re not recognized by large kennel clubs and do not have a breed standard. However, this mixed breed makes a good pet for active owners who want a dog to take with them on adventures but also one that will be loyal and affectionate.

The Jack Russell and Maltese have different features and behavioral characteristics, which means that the hybrid can lean toward one or the other or, more likely, adopt some characteristics of both parent breeds.

Read on to find out whether the Jack Russell Terrier Maltese Mix is the right choice of dog for you and your circumstances.

The Jacktese is a Jack Russell Terrier-Maltese mix. As with any mixed breed, it’s difficult to predict which parent the resulting hybrid dog will be more like. They could be a carefree and affectionate Maltese or a lively, energetic, and somewhat headstrong Jack Russell. Similarly, the dog might have the short, wiry coat of the Jack Russell or the smooth, medium-length coat of the Maltese.

Jacktese Breed Characteristics

Jacktese Puppies

The Jacktese is a new hybrid, and it can be difficult to locate breeders with Jacktese puppies. When speaking to potential breeders, ask about the generations of their Jacktese pups.

First-generation means that the puppy has been bred directly from Jack Russell and Maltese parents. Second-generation means that they have been bred from two first-generation Jacktese parents or one Jacktese parent and either a Maltese or Jack Russell.

Meet the puppy and try to meet at least the mother before you buy. The puppy will rely on their mother for early social and behavioral cues, so you can learn a lot about the puppy’s potential characteristics by meeting the mother. The puppy should be alert and interested when you meet them rather than nervous and hiding away.

You may find Jack Russell Terrier Maltese mixes in shelters. Adopting is always encouraged, but getting an accurate history or exact details about a dog can be challenging, which deters some potential owners. If you are adopting, meet the dog several times before formally agreeing to adopt.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Jacktese

The Jack Russell is a lively, adventurous dog that is highly alert and always looking around for something to chase. They love to play and want to do everything their owner does, especially if that involves getting out and about. The Jack Russell is not usually a good pet for inactive owners. They can also bark excessively, which isn’t ideal if you live in an apartment.

The Maltese is lively, although not as energetic as the Jack Russell. They were bred to be companion animals since the beginning, and they are friendly, loyal, and happy to share their home with children and other pets.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

The Jacktese can be an excellent family dog. They enjoy going on adventures with the whole family and will always be up for a game with the children. When it’s time to settle down, the Jacktese may turn into a lap dog, like their Maltese parent.

Due to their small size, you will need to teach children not to grab and not to handle the dog too aggressively.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Both parent breeds tend to get along with other dogs, but the Jack Russell is famous for standing up to much bigger dogs when they feel threatened. When introducing a Jacktese to your pets, make the introductions gradually. If introducing dogs, take them out for a leashed walk first. When introducing them in the house, make it a short meeting and keep them both restrained.

If you are introducing your Jacktese to a cat, put up a gate and let them meet on opposite sides. When the cat investigates, it will give them both a chance to smell one another and get used to the other’s presence before they finally meet nose to nose.

Things to Know When Owning a Jacktese:

The Jacktese may take after the high-octane Jack Russell or the more sedate Maltese. In any case, they can make an ideal pet for the right owner. Before adopting a Jacktese, check out these care requirements.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

You can feed your Jacktese dry or canned food or a combination of both. If feeding dry food, expect to serve around 1.5 cups of kibble per day. You may need to feed slightly more or less depending on the dog’s activity level, weight, and other factors.

If feeding wet food, follow the feeding instructions on the packaging. If your vet has recommended feeding a particular brand or a certain amount of food, always follow their guidelines.

Obesity and excessive weight can be significant problems for small and large canines, so whether you feed dry food, wet food, or a combination, ensure you don’t overfeed. Consider the treats you provide and reduce the amount of food you serve accordingly.

Your dog should always be given unrestricted access to fresh drinking water.

Exercise 🐕

Both parents are lively, but the Jack Russell is even more energetic and demanding of exercise than the Maltese. Their activity levels can vary, but most Jackteses need at least an hour of daily exercise. You can provide morning and evening walks and play sessions in the backyard. However, an energetic Jacktese may also enjoy participating in canine sports, including agility trials.

Training 🎾

Both parent breeds are considered reasonably intelligent. However, while the Maltese will generally do what they can to please their owner, the Jack Russell is more headstrong and stubborn.

If you sign up for puppy classes, the instructor can teach you basic commands, but, more importantly, they can show you how to train your dog effectively. They also provide a safe and sympathetic environment where you can work with your dog around other dogs. Training your dog at home is an excellent way to get the basic commands down, but training is very different when you take the dog out in the real world surrounded by distractions. Puppy classes provide some of the distractions to help you both learn.

Jack Russells are naturally yappy dogs, and you may need to train your Jacktese to reduce barking. However, it’s a natural reaction to certain situations, so you cannot stop your dog from barking completely.

Socialization is also important. It teaches dogs that they do not need to fear new situations. It also introduces them to different groups of people and animals so they won’t be nervous or reactive when they encounter them later in life.

Grooming ✂️

Your Jacktese can either have the short, coarse coat of the Jack Russell or the medium, smooth coat of the Maltese. The Jack Russell doesn’t require much grooming but may need the occasional bath. The Maltese requires some regular brushing, so if your Jacktese has the Maltese coat, aim to brush them two or three times a week to prevent the coat from getting matted and uncomfortable.

You can trim their nails when you hear them clicking on hard floors. This will usually occur every 4 to 6 weeks. If your dog walks on concrete and other abrasive surfaces, they may not need their claws trimmed as often.

You must also brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week, ideally every day. Dental disease is very common in dogs, and if the teeth are not cared for properly, it can lead to pain and make eating difficult.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Jacktese is a generally healthy dog but can be prone to some of the hereditary conditions of either parent breed.

Male vs Female

Male Jackteses are a little bigger and heavier than females, and certainly, in the case of the Jack Russell, the male can be more challenging to manage. The female tends to be more level-headed but still has a high prey drive and may be looking for ways to escape the yard. However, training and individual characteristics play a more significant role in a dog’s temperament.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Jacktese

1. They Go By Several Names

Hybrid breeds often have different names, which are usually a combination of the two parent breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier Maltese Mix is called the Jacktese but may also be known as the Jack Malt, MalJack, Jackatese, Maltejack, or Maltijack.

2. The Maltese Is One of the Smallest Breeds

The Maltese belongs to the toy dog group, the smallest dog breed category. The Jacktese will grow a little bigger than the Maltese but will still be a tiny dog. Your Jacktese might reach 18 pounds and 16 inches. The exact size the dog reaches depends on whether they have the physical characteristics of the Jack Russell or the Maltese.

3. They Have a Strong Prey Drive

Jack Russells are excellent ratters. They were bred to locate and hunt rats, which took them through buildings, down alleys, and even into tight holes and spaces. This is why Jack Russells are such keen and skilled diggers and also why they have such a high prey drive.

Although dogs and cats tend to be safe from the hunting instinct because they are too large to remind the Jack Russel of rats, smaller animals are at risk.

Final Thoughts

The Jacktese is a small, energetic pup that enjoys spending time outdoors exercising. They are good pets for adventurous and active families, but they also enjoy relaxing at home in the evening.

The Jacktese is a reasonably intelligent dog, but if they have the headstrong temperament of the Jack Russell, they can be more challenging to train. Be persistent, start when the dog is young, and try to turn training sessions into fun games to ensure good training. Ensure you master recall and consider teaching the shush command, especially if you live close to neighbors.

The Jacktese will get along with human and animal family members, but they shouldn’t be left alone with small animals because of their high prey drive.

Featured Image Credit: Left: (Jack Russell ) Kimrawicz, Shutterstock Right: (Maltese) David Herraez Calzada, Shutterstock