Lhasa Jack Dog Breed

The Lhasa Apso-Jack Russell cross, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' specific origin; while a Lhasa Apso x Jack Russell mix has probably existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. The Jack Russell x Lhasa Apso mix likely gained popularity during the designer dog "explosion" in North America in the late 20th century. Whatever the case, these lively, confident, loyal little dogs can be great companion pets for experienced owners--but they'll need a lot of training and socialization.

A few facts about the Lhasa Apso-Jack Russell Terrier mix: they're small-sized, averaging 11 inches at the shoulders in height and 14 pounds in weight; their coat length and texture can vary, but they're most often medium-length and straight; and they're very energetic and will need consistent exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Lhasa Jack:

Some important Lhasa Apso-cross-Jack Russell information: these hybrids are the offspring of two breeds that are both spunky, confident, and--especially in the case of the Lhasa Apso--loyal and protective. Physically, these hybrids are small: height at the shoulders generally runs 10-13 inches, and weight ranges from 11-16 pounds. Their coats can vary a good bit, from short to long and from silky to fluffy to stiff--but they're often medium in length, straight, and soft. The coats come in a variety of colors, usually in multi-colored patterns, that include white, tan, black, red, cream, and gray, among others. The coats shed moderately throughout the year--but they are not hypoallergenic, so these hybrids aren't the best choice for allergy sufferers.

Lhasa Jacks can do well in apartments, but they'll need daily outdoor exercise (see below). These hybrids also bark quite a bit, so teaching them the "Hush!" or "Quiet!" commands is definitely a good idea. Speaking of training, starting your Lhasa Jack with training and socialization during puppyhood will help the dog be more well-mannered and friendly as it matures.

And Lhasa Jacks are quite lively, so they'll need outdoor exercise; a walk or two plus a dedicated period of play will suffice. Without consistent physical activity, these hybrids can become hyperactive and destructive--so daily exercise is a great idea.

Confident, protective, intelligent, lively, and at times stubborn and dominant, the Jack Russell-Lhasa Apso cross temperament is one of both cockiness and fun. These hybrids will be playful and affectionate with loved ones, and they're normally very protective of them. In fact, a Lhasa Jack--especially if it inherits more Lhasa Apso personality traits--can be overly assertive, even aggressive around strangers. This means these hybrids need a lot of supervision around unknown people and animals. That said, Lhasa Jacks usually get along well with kids and other pets; regardless, owners say, it's best if these dogs grow up alongside any children or any household pets, so they learn to be accustomed to one another.

In regards to training: these hybrids are smart, and can respond well to it--but their potential stubbornness means they may need some repetition when learning commands or tasks. As with any breed, firm, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

And perhaps the best trait of the Lhasa Apso x Jack Russell temperament is the dog's watchdog skills. Lhasa Jacks are confident, alert, protective, and vocal--so they're likely to bark at and investigate any unknown sights or sounds. And though these hybrids are really too small to properly neutralize potential threats like intruders, their small size won't stop them from trying!

The Jack Russell Terrier-Lhasa Apso mix, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, these hybrids can suffer ailments common to the parent breeds, including: structural issues like Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (deformity of the hip joint) or patellar luxation; various allergies; and eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) or glaucoma. Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Lhasa Jack is 11-15 years.