In this article
View 8 More +The Jack a Bee brings two English parent breeds together in a delightful mix, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Beagle. The American Kennel Club (AKC) calls the former one the Russell Terrier Dog. It is an energetic pup with a playful side that the kids will appreciate. Both parents have a hunting history that shows itself in many of the traits of this happy hybrid with its nose to the ground.
Breed Overview
Height
10–16 inches
Weight
15–30 pounds
Lifespan
10–15 years
Colors
White, cream, red, brown, black
Suitable for
Active families looking for a playful and affectionate dog
Temperament
Loyal, intelligent, friendly, independent
The Jack a Bee is a relatively new dog with an unknown history of how it came to be. We suspect hunting is part of the reason that it exists. The Beagle remains a popular breed, hovering around eight in the AKC’s listing of the registered canines.1 The Russell Terrier ranks lower at 66th. The mix is a satisfying one that capitalizes on the characteristics of its parent breeds.
Jack a Bee Characteristics
Jack a Bee Puppies
Whenever you deal with a dog with a job, you know that you’re talking about an active canine. This breed is no exception. Jack a Bee puppies will want to run and explore their world. As you may expect, this pooch has a strong prey drive matched with an equally tenacious wanderlust potential. It’s a pet that you want to keep on a short leash for walks. Jack a Bee puppies also do best in a home with a fenced-in yard.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Jack a Bee
The Jack a Bee is a sweet pet that is affectionate and truly loves its family. This pup wants—and needs—attention. If it feels neglected, the dog may develop separation anxiety. That often rears its ugly head with barking or howling and other unwanted behavior. The pet has a stubborn streak. It’s also imperative to socialize a puppy early in its young life.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑🧑🧒
The Jack a Bee wants to be everyone’s friend. It loves both children and adults alike. It will also welcome strangers, making it not the best choice for a watchdog. Of course, all these things are dependent on early socialization. The more people your pup gets to meet as a puppy, the better. Pets exposed to new experiences are more likely to make better companions as adults.2
We recommend that you or another adult are present if children are around your Jack a Bee. The pup can sometimes lash out if it feels threatened. Again, socialization and lots of meet-and-greet time are essential for this dog.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
A social nature is a standout trait of the Jack a Bee, thanks to its Beagle parentage. These dogs grew up hunting foxes in groups. Barking is one of the ways they stay in touch with their canine friends. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of other family pets, such as cats and small animals. If they run away, the Jack a Bee is sure to follow. We suggest supervising them any time they are in the same room.
Things to Know When Owning a Jack a Bee:
Every dog has its issues, whether it’s its temperament or health risks. That makes researching a breed critical no matter what dog you end up buying. The same advice applies to the Jack a Bee. We’ve touched on its social needs. That makes this pup a time commitment that may put it in the experienced pet owner category. We also must consider the finer points of regular care.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The size of the Jack a Bee puts it in the small to medium-sized range. It’s imperative to give your pet food that is appropriate for its size. Larger breeds mature more slowly than smaller ones. The caloric and nutritional profiles reflect these differences. Despite their activity level, Jack a Bees are also prone to weight gain and its associated health risks.
The other concern is your pup’s life stage. The nutritional needs of puppies differ from adults. The former needs more protein and nutrient-dense food to meet its dietary requirements. You should plan on feeding your puppy three to four times a day to maintain stable blood sugar levels. When it becomes an adult, you can dial back to two times.
Exercise 🐕
The Jack a Bee needs exercise to stay healthy. We recommend at least 90 minutes of activity. It will keep your pet physically and mentally fit. It will also give your dog enough time with you to satisfy its desire for attention. Remember that a bored pup is a destructive one. It’ll occupy itself with something to do, even if it isn’t positive.
Training 🎾
The Jack a Bee is an intelligent canine. It is capable of learning commands and tricks quickly if you give your pup consistent training. That’s the key to a good pet-owner relationship. Positive reinforcement is the key. This pooch is eager enough. It just needs your support and praise to put it on the right track. Bear in mind that hunting breeds often have a stubborn streak that can make it challenging.
Grooming ✂️
Both parent breeds are easy to groom. They shed so that you can plan on spring and fall peaks in hair loss. We suggest brushing your pup with a hound glove or similar grooming tool, depending on the length of its coat. That will encourage blood circulation, which will keep its fur and skin healthy. You should also check your pet’s ears regularly since it’s prone to ear infections.
You should also take the same care with its nails, especially if you don’t walk your pup on pavement that will keep them trim. Beagles are prone to some eye issues. Your vet will likely make monitoring their condition a part of your pet’s care.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Every breed has its health risks. The Jack a Bee faces the same issues, bringing two sets to the mix. The two parents share similar conditions. Essentially, it ups the chances for the hybrid. That’s why it’s imperative to buy only from sellers that conduct the recommended pre-breeding screens. It’s more than worth the extra cost of getting a puppy.
- Cataracts
- Ear infections
- Patellar luxation
- Hip dysplasia
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Deafness
- Heart issues
Male vs. Female
Either sex will make a delightful pet. Many of the things you hear about spaying or neutering changing the dog’s personality aren’t true. The valid takeaway messages are that either surgery increases the risk of obesity and that it can affect a pup’s risk of other health conditions. Also, spaying is a more invasive procedure that costs more than neutering a male.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Jack a Bee
1. A Blend of Hunting Lineages
The Jack-a-Bee combines the best hunting attributes from both its parent breeds—the agility, tenacity, and fox-hunting ability of the Jack Russell, and the keen nose and tracking ability of the Beagle—to produce the perfect companion for outdoor activities and tracking sports.
2. A Jack-of-All-Trades Companion
Though the Jack-a-Bee is not widely recognized as a working dog, it has been found that this crossbreed does exceptionally well in therapy, emotional support roles and participating in search-and-rescue operations, due to its friendly nature, intelligence and high energy levels.
3. Increasing Popularity in Dog Sports
Jack-a-Bees are proving to be highly popular in various dog sports and activities requiring mental and physical commitment due to their agility, energy and tenacity that showcase the utility and capability of the Jack-a-Bee beyond being just a family pet.
Conclusion
The Jack a Bee brings together some of the most endearing features of either parent breed. The hybrid keeps its high energy and intensity, whether it’s playtime or on the hunt. Its playful and affectionate nature makes it an ideal choice for families with children of all ages. If you can be sure of one thing, it’s that the Jack a Bee will keep up with the kids.
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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
