Smaller dogs often make great family pets, and one of the more popular is the Jack Russell. However, you can find many dog owners like one type of dog appearance over another, such as fine hair compared to wiry hair.
A popular small hybrid breed that covers this is a Jack Russell Terrier crossed with a Shih Tzu, and thus you have the Jack Tzu. While not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is a crossbreed, Jack Tzus is hugely popular.
A Jack Russell Shih Tzu mix typically looks like his Jack Russell Terrier dad, and they get along with kids and other dogs. You can learn more about this Shih Tzu and Jack Russell mix in our guide.
By the end, you’ll know whether these amazing dogs make the perfect dog for you and your home, and their playful nature makes them fun to have around. (Read Should I Let A Possum Live Under My House)
Jack Tzu Overview
- Breed: Mixed breed.
- Size: Small dog size.
- Suitable Guard Dog: Yes.
- Weight: 14 to 23 pounds.
- Height: 10 to 11 inches.
- Lifespan: 12 to 16 years.
- Suited to: Active families.
- Coat: Closely cropped, sleek hair, or flowing hair like the Shih Tzu parent.
- Color: White, Golden, Cream, and Light Brown or a combination.
- Shedding: Moderate.
- Energy: Moderate to high active dogs.
- Exercise: At least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day.
- Tolerance: A trained Jack Tzus can stay alone for 6 hours.
- Feeding: 3/4 to 1 1/5 cups of high-quality dog food.
- Maintenance: Low.
- Health: Allergies, Eye Disorders, Ear Infections.
- Temperament: Playful, Friendly, Loyal, Loving.
- Friendly: Not suitable for homes with rabbits, guinea pigs, or birds. It needs to be socialized from an early age.
- Barking: Both parent breeds bark a lot.
Training A Jack Tzu
Most of the time, Jack Tzu’s are easy and get along well with humans, kids, and other animals for socializing. Jack Tzu’s do not bark excessively when no other dogs are around.
You’ll also value the fact that the Jack Russell terrier Shih Tzu mix exhibits qualities that make a great family dog. To help your Jack Tzu adjust to living with other animals, socialize and train them at a young age. Your dog may get into the habit of chasing after small pets or animals if you don’t train them.
Keep the training sessions brief, easy, and entertaining to make your dog follow instructions faster. (Read Can Chickens Eat Raw Potatoes)
Jack Tzu Care
The Jack Tzu, or Russel Tzu, as it is also known, is a popular hybrid breed developed by crossing two purebred dogs. Most designer dogs saw their popularity rise during the 1980s.
Shih Tzu and Jack Russell Terrier cross-breeding results in a small dog with a cute shaggy coat, frequently in two colors, that can have a cute under-bite and short nose or resemble a long-haired Jack Russell.
The final appearance of Jack Russell Shih Tzu mix, like other crossbreed dogs, is unpredictable. The Jack Russell Terrier and Shih Tzu hybrid will be a lively, clever dog who needs a somewhat active owner because of his unusual parentage.
These dogs are a good choice for apartment dwellers, though, as they are still a small breed and can meet their daily exercise needs even without a backyard. The Jack Tzu is an adaptable dog that will get along with everyone and thrive in practically any living scenario with the right socialization and training.
Pedigree
A designer dog breed with purebred ancestry is Jack Tzus. These hybrids are the offspring of a Jack Russell Terrier and a Shih Tzu. The only type of Jack Tzu that is currently bred goes by the name of the first-generation dog, or F1 mix.
Designer dog breeds may be popular among pet owners, but canine clubs, in the official sense, don’t have the same enthusiasm for these small dogs or most breeds.
The American Kennel Club does not accept Jack Tzus, like other hybrids, so these puppies cannot have official pedigree papers. However, if you purchase a Jack Tzu from a breeder, you must want guarantees and documentation of sound breeding.
A health guarantee is sure, and meeting the parents would be ideal for taking care of their well-being.
Food/Diet
TA Jack Tzu’s diet should consider that they are small yet active dogs. The aim is to give them a meal plan that will provide them with the energy they need for their daily activities and support their general health—all without making them lose weight.
Most experts concur that the best option for a Jack Tzu is premium dry food for small dog breeds. Stick to the suggested serving sizes to prevent the health issues associated with being overweight.
These dogs often just require a cup of quality kibble per day. Splitting their daily dose into two separate meals will give them two reasons to be happy and prevent them from eating everything at once and developing digestive health issues.
These hybrids are typically amiable and upbeat and won’t think twice about accepting belly massages from total strangers. (Read 19-19-19 Fertilizer For Lawns)
Training
When handled properly, these hybrids are highly intelligent and make a good dog for training. Although many dogs are intelligent, don’t let that fool you into thinking that teaching them manners would only take a few minutes.
Sometimes a bit stubborn, they will require an experienced owner who knows how to handle their peculiarities and what needs to be done to achieve the best outcomes. Like most dogs, Jack Tzu responds best to training that combines a confident, assertive attitude and positive reinforcement.
These Jack Tzus are typically amiable and upbeat and won’t think twice about accepting belly massages from complete strangers. They get along with older, respectful kids and other pets, making them a wonderful choice for large families.
These mixed-breed dogs are lovely and affectionate with their exceptional owner and want to convey that emotion through joint activities.
Exercise
The boisterous, tenacious Jack Tzu is what you’d describe as a little ball of energy! Most of the time, these hybrids will always be up for an adventure and enjoy being outside.
Even with all that energy, these small dogs don’t require as much exercise as larger dogs. Therefore, they make beautiful pets for an apartment or condominium if they receive good outdoor activity. A Jack Tzu needs, on average, 30 to 60 minutes of exercise to be content and avoid health problems. Even though they are not a large breed, it is crucial to remember that they still require exercise.
Tack Tzu needs to use its enormous amount of energy wisely. This means that you will need to offer them a suitable outlet, such as long walks, park play, romping around in the fenced-in yard, or a ton of toys scattered throughout the house.
If you don’t, your pet may use any available means to spend their energy. The home may become very messy because of this frequently. If you continually keep your pet inside, you risk many future issues. These might include sluggishness, apathy, and fat. The way to some more severe health issues is then not very long.
It’s also vital to remember that these designer dogs have a high prey drive, can be escape artists, and frequently chase small animals without regard for their safety. One thing overlooked by taking small dogs for exercise is it helps keep the dog’s nails short and paws healthy.
Recognized Clubs
The Jack Russell Terrier and Shih Tzu hybrid are not recognized as separate breeds by the AKC. Of course, there are smaller clubs that do; the International Designer Canine Registry, Designer Breed Registry, and Dog Registry of America all recognize the Jack Tzu.
Long-time owners of designer breeds and those committed to making the Jack Tzu a well-known and acknowledged designer breed are typically the ones in charge of these clubs and organizations.
As a result, these clubs are a great place to learn everything you need about your dog. It is advised to join one of these clubs as soon as possible if you recently gained a Jack Tzu or want to do so in the future.
This way, you can quickly grasp the fundamentals or what it means to understand the breed. This includes their daily habits, dos and don’ts, and advantages and disadvantages.
Find out about their health and the best ways to care for them. Of course, you can also gain valuable insight into the Jack Tzu pedigree—the physical characteristics that define them.
Coat
The Shih Tzu and Jack Russell Terrier are at opposite ends of the spectrum regarding coat type and characteristics. This means that the Jack Tzu can have e longer, softer coat or short, tightly trimmed, smooth hair. However, most of these hybrids fall in the middle, sporting an absurdly adorable wiry medium coat.
There are other possible coat colors as well, although the majority have a bi-color or tri-color coat, with the most popular choices being red and white, brown and white, and black and white.
Tack Tzu is a reasonably low-maintenance dog in terms of grooming. They shed moderately, so they won’t require expensive products or frequent trips to the salon to stay their best.
Regular brushing is sufficient, as a bath, if the “nose test” shows that decontamination is necessary.
Puppies
Jack Tzu puppies are both adorable and problematic. Since these intelligent, active dogs will be very interested and excitable as puppies, it’s critical to start training and socialization as soon as possible. That way, as they grow into the gorgeous dog they have the potential to be, your new pet can learn about etiquette and appropriate conduct.
Make sure they are introduced to new, amiable dogs, kids, and adults who don’t live with them for them to accomplish this effectively. This stage of a puppy’s development may be essential.
They can become accustomed to the dogs and people around them in this way and grow into amiable and loving pets. You run into several behavioral issues if you don’t socialize with your pet from an early age.
These include anger, fear, and anxiety. A Jack Tzu can develop sharp, distant, and excessive aggression without socialization. No owner wants their small breeds to develop a horrible inclination to become snappy and yappy, as many have when they are not socialized.
Make socialization your priority during your pet’s puppy years to avoid being overly aggressive and prevent turning to time-consuming behavioral correction training! (Read What Does Goat Poop Look Like)
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Call A Jack Russell Shih Tzu Mix?
Also called Jack Tzu or Russell Tzu, the Jack Russell and Shih Tzu mix.
Are Jack Russell Shih Tzu Mixes Good with Other Dogs?
They are usually friendly toward other dogs if they have received good socialization.
Are Shih Tzu Jack Russell Terriers Lazy?
No. The Jack Russel Shih Tzu Mix is a very active dog. Be prepared to give them lots of physical activity in the dog park and toys.
How Long Will a Shih Tzu Jack Russell Mix Cope Alone?
Jack Tzus can bark excessively or behave destructively if left alone for over 4 to 6 hours.
Remember that a Jack Tzu puppy should not be left alone for more than two hours.
Is A Shih Tzu Jack Russell Mix Right For You?
The Jack Russell Shih Tzu Mix can be the right small dog breed for you and your family if you’re looking for small animals that are bright, lively, enthusiastic, and ready to please.
Is Shih Tzu Jack Russell’s Good with Other Pets?
Shih Tzu Jack Russell’s can be aggressive toward cats and other pets if they haven’t been raised together or socialized with other animals from an early age. Start early with training and utilize positive reinforcement if you want your Shih Tzu Jack Russell to get along with other dogs and pets later.
