Cojack Dog Breed

The Cojack is basically a companion dog. As they come from two working dogs that are at their best when given jobs, however, the Cojack can be coaxed into herding and other duties. They are fine for first-time dog owners, families with kids and for small homes, but you should have patience — and not be too attached to most furniture! They can live in apartments, but they will need to be walked a few times daily to keep them happy.

Here are a few things to consider if you are planning on getting a Cojack:

PROS

• Great with kids
• Good watchdogs
• Low maintenance
• Minimal shedding
• Fairly easy to train
• Excellent agility dog
• Wonderful home companion

CONS

• May bark a lot
• Separation anxiety
• Not hypoallergenic
• Needs a great amount of exercise
• Tolerant of most types of weather

This very active mixed breed dog is one that is not meant for the timid or the tired. These demanding little dogs will require a lot of attention, training, and socialization. Cojacks are extremely cute, to be sure, but they are also a lot of responsibility.

These dogs are demanding, and they come from extremely smart parent breeds. (The Jack Russell Terrier, known for its high-energy drive, is also said to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world.) Once she gets a goal in mind, the Cojack tends to stop at nothing to get it.

As one of the parents comes from a shepherd dog, your Corgi Jack Russell hybrid may have a strong drive to herd things: cars, kids playing, even your pants. They are loyal, loving and devoted dogs, however, so this inborn habit means they care — even if they may use their teeth to prompt things to move in one direction!

Cojacks are very alert and very active. They need a lot of exercise to burn off the seemingly non-stop energy. Along with long daily walks and a lot of regular visits to the dog park, they are best when they have a well-fenced yard to run around in.

There are no real variations of the Cojack, or at least none formally discussed. There are possibilities, however, and it's all about that Cojack hair. As Jack Russell Terriers (JRT) can have three coat types — smooth, broken and rough — so too can Cojacks end up having three varieties of coat types.

A Cojack's coat style might also be strengthened or weakened by how much she inherits as well as which filial generation (F1, F2, etc.) she may be. The F1 Cojack is produced when a purebred Corgi and JRT are bred together. If two F1 Cojacks are mated, they make an F2 Cojack. If an F1 Cojack is bred back to either a Corgi or a JRT, then that is an F1b. The pattern is the same down the road: two F2s make an F3 whereas an F1 bred back to an F1b makes an F2b.

If a particular coat type is constantly used, it may make that Cojack's coat smoother or rougher. (If it's already broken — which is a mix of smooth and rough — then it really can't be much more than smooth and rough!)

The Corgi Jack Russell mix temperament is not an easy one to endure. The two hyperactive purebred dogs from which this mix is made will guarantee your dog being the same if not more so. Be ready to train and socialize these dogs from very early and constantly or they will jump, run and bark non-stop.

These dogs are like velcro, and they will be at your side (if not underfoot) all the time. They quickly develop separation anxiety, so leaving them alone for long or frequent periods is not at all recommended. They will yap whenever approached by a stranger. They will want to please you, however, and they have a desire for constant attention. They tend to get along with other pets rather well, provided they are socialized.

These dogs train fairly easily, but you will need some patience, as they can exhibit some stubbornness. The parent breeds are known individually for their agility and obedience competition excellence. Agility puzzles and play is perfect for this hybrid dog when training them.

According to the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, the purebred JRT is prone to quite a few ailments. Welsh Corgis, on the other hand, tend to have far fewer problems than JRTs. Many Cojack breeders claim that most of these health issues are greatly mitigated by hybrid vigor. There are some problems that tend to crop up commonly, however.

Here are some of the concerns regarding these little dogs:

• Epilepsy
• Eye disease
• Lens luxation
• Hip dysplasia
• Urinary stones
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Intervertebral disc disease
• von Willebrand's Disease (vWD)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

The Cojack has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, which is typical for medium-sized mixed breeds.