Jackabee

Canis lupus

Last updated: March 17, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© JMSH photography/Shutterstock.com

A good choice for owners who want an exercise companion!


Advertisement


Jackabee Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Jackabee Conservation Status

Jackabee Locations

Jackabee Locations

Jackabee Facts

Fun Fact
A good choice for owners who want an exercise companion!
Temperament
Friendly, intelligent, and hard-working
Diet
Omnivore

Jackabee Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • White
  • Tan
  • Cream
  • Beige
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
12-16 years
Weight
30 lbs

Jackabee as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
High
Pure bred cost to own
$350 to $700
Dog group
Non-sporting
Male weight
15-30 lbs
Female weight
15-30 lbs

This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.

View all of the Jackabee images!



Share on:

Even for a dog, the Jackabee has an incredible sense of smell that it inherited from its fox-hunting parents.

The Jackabee is a spunky, hard-working, and upbeat little mix with almost endless reserves of energy. It is produced from a cross between a Jack Russell or Russell Terrier and a Beagle. As with any crossbreed, the Jackabee (also styled as Jack-A-Bee) will not inherit traits in equal proportion to its parents. Instead, it can inherit traits in many different combinations and arrangements. Most dogs will usually have the body of a Jack Russell and the head of a Beagle with muscular hindquarters, long and floppy ears, and a long tail. The thin, coarse, and smooth coat of fur can come in many different variations, including cream with tan spots, white with beige spots, or a combination of tan, brown, and white.

See all of our expert product reviews.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Jackabee

Pros!Cons!
Friendly and Sociable
The Jackabee will form a strong bond with all members of the family.
Overpowering Instincts
The Jackabee has a strong habit to chase small animals and follow its nose.
Intelligent and Hard-Working
The Jackabee delights in performing a large variety of different tricks and tasks.
High Maintenance
This dog requires a lot of time and effort to care for, especially with regard to its exercise needs.
Energetic and Athletic
This dog is a good choice for owners who want an exercise companion.
Grows Bored Easily
The Jackabee needs to be entertained with plenty of fun activities and games.
Jacabee standing on the seat of an old tractor with paws on the steering wheel.

The Jackabee is an intelligent, hardworking breed.

©JMSH photography/Shutterstock.com

Size and Weight

A full-grown Jackabee is a small dog with an athletic frame. Males tend to be slightly larger on average, but both sexes can grow to about the same size.

Height (Male)10 to 16 inches
Height (Female)10 to 16 inches
Weight (Male)15 to 30 pounds
Weight (Female)15 to 30 pounds

Evolution and History

As the Jackabee is a relatively new hybrid breed, there’s limited information available about its origins, apart from that it was likely developed around the 2000s in the U.S. from two breeds who originated in the U.K.

The Jackabee’s parent breed the Jack Russell Terrier is a curious and lively terrier that was developed in the 19th century for the purpose of fox hunting — a very popular pastime among the English upper class at the time. It’s also possible the Russell Terrier (also known as as the English Jack Russell Terrier and Irish Jack Russell Terrier) is a parent breed of the Jackabee and this breed is a little smaller than the Jack Russell, with shorter legs. All breeds are named for the hunter and dog breeder Reverend John Russell, who lived in Devonshire, England in the late 1800s.

Health and Entertainment for your Jackabee

See all of our expert product reviews.

The Beagle, the Jackabee’s parent breed, is a fun-loving, happy-go-lucky pack hound that originated centuries ago to hunt smaller game animals. While on the hunt, the terrier and hound actually had complementary roles. The terrier would chase the fox out of its den, and the hound would hunt it down and trap it. While it’s possible that the Beagle could be traced back to 5th century B.C., it’s thought that the modern-day dog’s ancestors were scenthounds called Talbot Hounds that were brought by William the Conqueror into England during the 11th century. Recognizable as the dog breed of cartoon character Snoopy, beagles are also commonly used around the world as detection dogs to sniff out prohibited items due to their superior sense of smell and tracking skills.

Dog Beagle

The Jackabee’s parent breed the Beagle is a fun-loving, active hound.

©iStock.com/Przemysław Iciak

Common Health Issues

The Jackabee, like its parent breeds, is prone to several health conditions, including deafness, anemia, glaucoma, cataracts, ear infections, narcolepsy, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, dwarfism, and cancer. It also has the tendency to suffer from a few developmental or degenerative disorders, including hip dysplasia (a dislocating hip socket, which can cause lameness), luxating patellas (a dislocating knee), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (a degenerative hip), and intervertebral disc disease (a spinal problem that may cause pain and paralysis).

Another problem you need to look out for is Von Willibrand’s disease, which causes excessive bleeding from an insufficient level of clotting proteins in the blood. Potential owners should never neglect the health of their new dogs; always try to buy from a reputable breeder who screens for health problems and follow up with your vet on a regular basis to catch potential health problems as early as possible. Despite the severity of some conditions, the Jackabee can still live some 10 to 15 high-quality years. In summation, these are the most common health problems that afflict this hybrid dog:

  • Deafness
  • Ear Infections
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Cancer
White and tan Jackabee lying on top of a wicker hamper.

Like its two parent breeds, the Jackabee is prone to a range of health conditions.

©JMSH photography/Shutterstock.com

Temperament

Don’t let its small size fool you. The Jackabee has a playful, alert, and energetic personality with a rambunctious streak and a mind of its own. Potential owners should be aware that its parent breeds were originally hunting dogs. As such, they were expected to use their intelligence and independence to hunt down and trap prey. This does not necessarily mean the Jackabee is a hunting dog now, but you should still expect the dog to have some hunting instincts intact.

This curious and inquisitive hybrid dog has the tendency to literally follow its nose everywhere and explore its surroundings. It also exhibits some aggression toward small animals, so it shouldn’t be trusted around guinea pigs, rabbits, and similar pets. Some of these instincts can be minimized with good training as a puppy. But owners should also try to channel their energies into fun games and tasks. Otherwise, this dog can easily turn to mischievous and annoying behavior.

Portrait of a Jackabee dog facing to the right.

The Jackabee is playful and has a rambunctious streak.

©Penny Compton 17/Shutterstock.com

How to Take Care of the Jackabee

Despite its small size, the Jackabee is by no means an easy dog to care for. It needs the same amount of exercise as a dog almost twice its size. Nevertheless, this can be a good choice for both novice and experienced owners, thanks in part to the ease with which it can be trained. If you need more information about the particular details of your dog’s care, then you should consult with your vet.

The Best Dog Food for Jackabees

A full-grown Jackabee should be fed about a cup of dry food, high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The exact amount of food will, of course, depend on the dog’s age, size, and activity level. Because this hybrid dog does have the tendency to develop some degenerative or arthritic conditions, it should not be allowed to exceed a reasonable weight; obesity can put additional strain on the dog’s body and reduce its quality of life. Consult with your vet to obtain more information about the dog’s dietary needs and also to formulate a good feeding plan.

To cater to Jackabees’ potential health issues, choose a balanced dog food that provides plenty of nutrition. At A-Z Animals, we think your Jackabee will do great eating Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.

This dog food has taurine and Vitamin A to protect Jackabees’ eyes, with B12 and omegas that work as antioxidants to support the immune system and help combat infections. The calcium and iron support proper blood coagulation, which is important for Jackabees due to their risk of Von Willibrand’s.

Click the link below to get Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Dry Dog Food on Chewy and Aamazon.

Best Freeze-Dried with Turkey
Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Original Recipe with Freeze-Dried Turkey Dry Dog Food
  • High protein nutrient dense 100% raw turkey blend
  • Promotes healthy skin and coat
  • Glucosamine, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids for immune health
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

The typical Jackabee should have a hypoallergenic coat that needs to be groomed about once a week with a simple slicker brush and comb to remove some of the loose or dead hair. In order to maintain proper hygiene, you should clean out the ears with cotton and brush the teeth with a canine-specific paste on a regular basis. Baths should be given about once a month to keep this dog free of dirt and grime. As the Jackabee has a small jaw, this predisposes it to periodontal disease, so you should aim to brush your dog’s teeth regularly (every 1-2 days if possible) and supply chew toys that can help to keep teeth and gums strong.

human brushing her dog's teeth

Brushing your dog’s teeth should be part of a maintenance and grooming routine.

©Aquarius Studio/Shutterstock.com

Training

The Jackabee’s inquisitive, intelligent, and hard-working nature should serve it well throughout the entire training process. This mix is eager to learn and follow human commands. However, because of its keen sense of smell, the Jackabee is constantly bombarded by distractions. Owners will therefore need to exercise plenty of time and patience with this mix; you should also consider holding your training sessions in an environment with minimal stimulations.

Positive reinforcement methods such as treats and praise should also work very well to induce your dog to follow your commands. If are you struggling with the entire training process, you might want to enlist the help of a professional trainer.

Jackabee sitting inside an empty wicker hamper.

It can help to hold your training sessions with your Jackabee in an environment with minimal distractions.

©JMSH photography/Shutterstock.com

Exercise

The Jackabee is an energetic and high-spun dog that needs some 60 to 90 minutes of exercise every single day (equivalent to around 10 or 11 miles every week) to satisfy its need for physical stimulation. This dog will enjoy long walks/runs, playtimes, games, sports, and “earth dog” activity challenges that really allow the Jackabee to flex its considerable hunting talents. It should do very well with a fenced yard in which it can roam around freely and play, but owners will need to keep an eye on this little escape artist since it has the tendency to dig under or jump over fences.

Jack Russell Terrier hunting on starling bird

Like its parent breed the Jack Russell Terrier, the Jackabee likes to flex its hunting instincts.

©iStock.com/alexei_tm

Puppies

Jackabee puppies need to begin obedience training and socialization within the first few months of their lives. These dogs should be relatively easy to housebreak, but if you’re struggling at all in this regard, then you might want to buy a crate since puppies will almost never soil their sleeping area. A crate can also calm a dog’s anxiety and provide a safe space for it to retreat into. But owners should never treat the crate as a prison to mistreat the dog.

Young Jackabee (Beagle / Jack Russell cross) puppy sitting on the lawn.

It’s advisable for Jackabee puppies to start obedience training and socialization early.

©JMSH photography/Shutterstock.com

Jackabees and Children

The affectionate and playful Jackabee should be a great friend and companion to children of all ages. However, it is important to teach smaller kids the proper etiquette with these types of dogs to prevent bad interactions. While the Jackabee may have a high tolerance for roughhousing, it still needs to be treated with kindness and respect.

Dogs Similar to the Jackabee

If you’re interested in a Jackabee, Beagle, or Russell Terrier, then you might consider these closely related hounds or terriers. Here’s some information about them:

  • American Foxhound – Intelligent, independent-minded, easy-going, and very affectionate, the American Foxhound is an expert at that distinctly British pastime, fox hunting. They are very well-known for their speed, agility, endurance, and hard-working personality.
  • Smooth Fox Terrier – The Smooth Fox Terrier (along with its more wiry-haired cousin, the Wire Fox Terrier) is a lively and affectionate fox hunter that originated from England. It is characterized by a somewhat small body, a V-shaped head, and a flat, dense white coat with black or tan markings.
  • Australian Terrier – Originally bred from several British terriers, this is an affectionate, spirited, self-confident, and brave little dog with a long, harsh coat and distinctive furnishings around the neck and forequarters. It makes for a great friend and companion.
American foxhound sitting in park

The American Foxhound is an expert at fox hunting, like the Jackabee’s parent breed the Jack Russell Terrier.

©Olga Aniven/Shutterstock.com

Famous Jackabee

As a relatively obscure designer dog, there are not too many examples of famous Jackabees, but both of its parent breeds are quite well-known. In fact, several Jack Russell Terriers have risen to prominence as charismatic and prolific actors. They have appeared in the TV show “Frasier” and the Oscar-winning film “The Artist.”

dog surfing

The Jackabee’s parent breed, the Jack Russell Terrier, has been featured as a dog actor in TV shows and movies.

©Javier Brosch/Shutterstock.com

If you are looking for a good Jackabee name, then you might want to consider the following options:

  • Charlie
  • Lucy
  • Bella
  • Cooper
  • Buddy
  • Daisy
  • Bailey
  • Jack
  • Max
  • Lily

View all 36 animals that start with J

Share on:
What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Catherine Gin has more than 15 years of experience working as an editor for digital, print and social media. She grew up in Australia with an alphabet of interesting animals, from echidnas and funnel-web spiders to kookaburras and quokkas, as well as beautiful native plants including bottlebrushes and gum trees. Being based in the U.S. for a decade has expanded Catherine's knowledge of flora and fauna, and she and her husband hope to have a hobby farm and vegetable garden in future.

Jackabee FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a Jackabee dog?

The Jackabee is a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Beagle. Descending from a strong fox-hunting lineage, these small but athletic dogs are friendly, inquisitive, affectionate, and easy to train. This is also a very explorative mix with a strong sense of smell.

What is the price of a Jackabee?

The price of a new Jackabee should be somewhere between $350 and $750. Dogs with an exceptional pedigree will tend to cost a lot more than average. If price is a concern, then you might want to consider adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter.

How do you train a Jackabee?

The Jackabee should be trained with positive reinforcement methods and plenty of patience. Because of its tendency to become overwhelmed by smells, it’s a good idea to train this dog in a low-stimulation environment.

How much does a Jackabee weigh?

The Jackabee will usually weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.

How much should a Jackabee eat?

A full-grown Jackabee should consume about a cup of food per day. This amount may need to be adjusted slightly based on its energy needs.

Do Jackabees display any aggression?

The Jackabee does not exhibit much aggression at all except toward some smaller animals.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Doggie Designer, Available here: https://doggiedesigner.com/jack-a-bee/
  2. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/jack-a-bee

Newly Added Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.