Havanese Jack Russell Mix
The Havanese is the 24th most popular dog in the states, according to the American Kennel Club. For this reason, in recent years, breeders have begun to introduce many different hybrid breeds that are mixed with the Havanese. Of course, the idea is to combine the favourable traits of both parent breeds for a new breed of dog.
One example of this is the Havanese Jack Russell mix. Keep reading to learn more about the Havanese Jack Russell hybrid, from its physical characteristics to its personality and history!
What Is a Havanese Jack Russell Mix Called?
What is a Havanese Jack Russell mix? As the name suggests, this is a breed of dog that has one Havanese parent and one Jack Russell parent.
Due to its parentage, the breed is a hybrid and cannot be considered to be a hybrid dog. However, regardless of whether the mother is a Havanese or a Jack Russell– and vice versa as applies to the father– the offspring is still considered to be a Havanese Jack Russell mix.
This breed goes by a catchier name and is often referred to as a Havajack. It certainly rolls off the tongue better, too!
Havanese Breed History
The Havanese breed is one that has a long history. These days, it is the national dog of Cuba and was developed from the Blanqito and Bichon breeds– such as the poodle.
Havanese are also sometimes called Havana Silk Dogs. Ships that were from Tenerife brought the ancestors of the Havanese to Cuba, where they were then adopted and crossbred throughout the years. The Havanese became the dog of choice for many wealthy families in Cuba, who loved the dog’s loyalty and role as an affectionate companion dog.
However, the Cuban Revolution was dangerous to many, and when some wealthy families escaped to the United States, they brought their Havanese dogs with them. At this time, the breed was considered rare, as there were only about 11 Havanese left to breed within the United States.
Breeders were determined to work with what they had, though, and started breeding these 11 dogs in the 1970s. The Havanese then began to gain popularity stateside and in North America, and was eventually recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. This occurred in 1996.
Now, the Havanese is one of the top dog breeds in the United States, and its popularity seems to only be increasing!
Jack Russell Breed History
The Jack Russell breed is a terrier breed, and it was first used for fox hunting in England. Unlike the Havanese, the Jack Russell can be considered to be more of a working dog– and its temperament hinges on this as well. The man who first began to breed Jack Russells was a man by the name of John Russell– hence the name of the breed!
They were bred from the English terrier, which is now an extinct breed. John Parsons was a hunting enthusiast, and he ended up purchasing a dog named Trump that was his ideal fox terrier– a dog who was able to bolt foxes out of their burrows.
She became the basis for his breeding program.
It was not until the late 1990s, though, that the American Kennel Club considered recognizing the Jack Russell terrier as a breed. For context, John Russell began breeding the dogs in the 1800s, and they were a distinct breed by the 1850s.
The AKC has recognized a specific type of Jack Russell terrier, which is named the Parson Russell terrier– this is essentially a cousin of the Jack Russell.
Many modern breeds are mistaken for Jack Russell terriers, the Parson Russell terrier and the Miniature Fox terrier being a couple of these.
Havajack Appearance
When it comes to the appearance of any hybrid breed, the appearance of the offspring can vary– it will depend upon the traits that are passed down to each litter from each of the two parent breeds.
The Havajack is no different.
The appearance of the breed may differ from puppy to puppy or litter to litter, depending upon what they have inherited from their parents. Take a look below for some of the characteristics that you may see in your Havajack mix.
Size
The Havanese is a toy breed, while the Jack Russell is small, but still typically larger than the Havanese is. When these two breeds are bred together, the offspring typically ends up in the middle, a bit larger than the Havanese grows.
A Havajack male averages between 9 and 14 inches tall, and can weigh between 9 to 17 pounds. The female, on average, is a bit smaller than the Havajack male. She can grow to be between 8 and 13 inches and can weigh between 8 to 16 pounds. Of course, this is just the breed average– there may be some Havajacks that are larger or smaller than this.
Coat
The coat of a Havajack can vary pretty greatly. Texture-wise, their coat can be thick and silky like the Havanese, or rougher like a Jack Russell. Typically, their coat will be on the longer side and not too dense. Neither parent breed has dense fur, so the Havajack will have a fairly normal coat, density-wise.
The Havanese does have a coat that is soft and wavy, so a Havajack can end up having a wavy coat as well. Most of them, though, end up having straight coats, or straight coats that have a slight wave.
Coloring
Jack Russells are usually more than one color, and the Havanese can be as well. This means that your Havajack has many different options for its coat coloring. It may be white, silver, brown, sable, or black– or some combination of more than one of these colors. Depending upon the parent that your pet resembles more, its coloring may change. Both Havanese and Jack Russells have brown eyes, so your Havajack will inherit these dark brown eyes as well as a cute black nose!
Havajack Personality
Every dog’s personality is different, just as we humans have different personalities. However, every breed does have its own special set of characteristics, so we do know what to expect when it comes to a dog’s temperament– at least, for the most part! With a hybrid breed, this can also vary a bit more because different parents may pass down different traits common to their breed.
For instance, both the Havanese and Jack Russell have the potential to be great family dogs, because they are known to be loving and affectionate. They get along great with other pets and children– it is important to note, though, that Jack Russells may be aggressive with other dogs if not socialized early.
Both parent breeds of the Havajack are known to be very energetic as well, so if you are looking for a lap dog, this might not be the best choice for you! They are also intelligent and have big personalities. A Havajack will certainly keep you entertained!
Havajack Maintenance
The maintenance of your Havanese Jack Russell mix applies to both the care you will need to take for their coat, but also the activity and exercise that the breed requires. A Havanese is hypoallergenic, though a Jack Russell is not. This means that the mixed breed cannot truly be considered to be hypoallergenic.
However, if the offspring takes after its Havanese parent more, then it will be more hypoallergenic than if it were to resemble a Jack Russell more. If the dog resembles a Havanese more, it will need to be brushed more frequently as it has a longer coat that can become tangled or matted.
Daily brushing and regular trimming will be necessary. You should also check your dog’s ears and clean them gently, as well as brush their teeth regularly.
For exercise, this may differ depending on which traits the offspring has inherited. Jack Russells do have higher energy levels, so you should be prepared to provide lots of exercises and mental stimulation. Dog sports, fetch, and obedience training are all great ways to keep your pet active.
A Havajack should have 45 minutes of exercise every day, and can easily walk for 8 miles every week! Of course, if your Havajack is not properly stimulated, they will develop destructive tendencies such as chewing or digging– so you will want to be sure your pet gets the exercise and attention required of its breed.
Havajack Health Concerns
When it comes to the health of your Havajack, you will need to look at the common health concerns for both of the parent breeds. Some of these might be minor concerns, while others may crop up often or be more severe, and are then considered to be major concerns.
The health concerns that are common for the parent breeds can, of course, be passed down to the offspring– your Havanese Jack Russell mix!
One of the things that you should look out for is patellar luxation or hip dysplasia. These are more minor concerns, along with Legg- Calve- Perthes disease, but can still affect your pet so you will want to stay aware.
Legg- Calve- Perthes happens when not enough blood is supplied to the ball of the hip joint and then weakens the bone. More major health concerns that you may see in your Havajack are eye issues like glaucoma, lens luxation and progressive retinol atrophy.
Heart issues such as a heart murmur– which a dog is usually born with– and mitral valve disease are also something that could affect the health of your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mix for Havanese?
The best mix or hybrid breed of Havanese dog is going to depend upon the unique characteristics you are looking for, and the role you want your new pet to fill in your home.
For this reason, not everyone will have the same answer to this question! However, some of the popular hybrid Havanese breeds include the Puganese (a mix if a pug and Havanese) and the Ewokian dog (a mix between a pomeranian and a Havanese).
Is a Jack Russell mix a good dog?
If you are looking at a Jack Russell or a Jack Russell mix, you will want to be aware of the breed’s unique characteristics. After all, if you get the dog and do not have the correct expectations for the breed, you are setting yourself and your new pet up for failure.
Jack Russells and most Jack Russell mixes typically have a playful personality and are very affectionate. They do also have high energy levels, though, so may not be the best choice if you are looking for a lapdog!
What is the best mix with a Jack Russell?
The best Jack Russell mix is going to be different for each individual or family. This is because different people have different needs or expectations for their furry friends. One example of a Jack Russell mix is the Jackabee, which is a mix between a Jack Russell and a Beagle.
This hybrid in particular is tough and sturdy. If you want a dog that is more of a companion pet and will want to follow you everywhere, then the Jack Russell Havanese hybrid may be the best Jack Russell mix for you!
Are Havanese hard to potty train?
Havanese are a breed that is fairly easy to train because they are intelligent and can therefore pick up on things quicker than some other breeds of dog might. That being said, just like with any other dog, potty training a Havanese will require patience and understanding.
Dogs with smaller bladders, such as the Havanese, will need to go to the bathroom more often just due to their size. Typically, though, it can take around 6 to 8 months to fully house-train your Havanese puppy. This requires you to be consistent and disciplined, however– otherwise it can be confusing to your pup and the process can take longer.