As the current owner of a Jack Russell Terrier, I can say firsthand with confidence that they make for excellent pets. From my time spent around dogs, I am also aware that Pit Bull Terriers make fantastic pets and companions.
What could be better than combining 2 of the best dogs and getting the personality, loyalty, and energy from both dog breeds?
Luckily, that is entirely possible, and a Jack Pit among other Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier mixes are dogs that you can adopt and make for one fantastic pet with a lot of energy and spunk.
Jack Russell Terriers mixed with a Pit Bull Terrier is known as the Jack Pit. Other breeds are also possible from the Jack Russell Terrier, depending on which Pit Bull Terrier is bred with the Jack Russell. Together, the Pit Bull Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier mix will be high energy, highly loyal, and excellent dogs.
Now, pay attention because I did mention high energy in my answer above, which means that they may not be the best dog breed for everyone.
By the end of this discussion, my goal is to help you make that decision and break down everything you need to know about the Jack Pit (Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Mix).
You should understand the Jack Pit history, standard and typical behaviors, and what you can expect if you intend to adopt a Jack Pit.
Also Read: Jack Russell Terrier Mixes [30 JRT Mixed Breeds w/ Pictures]
Here is how I intend to present this information for you today:
- The Jack Russell Terrier
- The Pit Bull Terrier
- The Best of Both Dogs, The Jack Pit (Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier Mix)
- 5 Key Facts About The Jack Pit (Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier)
- Frequently Asked Questions About The Jack Pit (Jack Russell, Pit Bull Terrier Mix)
- Caring For Jack Pit Terriers
- Other Potential Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier Mixes
- Jack Pits (Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier) Makes For A Loving and Spunky Dog
The Jack Russell Terrier
To better understand the Jack Pit, it is crucial to have a quick background into both dogs responsible for creating the bundle of joy.
First, you have the Jack Russell Terrier.
The Jack Russell Terrier is known for its high energy, working personality.
At times, the Jack Russell can be known to be a stubborn dog breed and was initially bred to hunt fox.
As a Jack Russell Terrier owner myself, I feel good informing you that they are one of the most loyal and trainable dogs if you are willing to put in the work and give them the time they deserve.
Jack Russell Terriers also demand a high level of physical activity and love the ability to exercise.
Overall, The Jack Russell Terrier is a dog for owners who enjoy the demand and time needed to keep them stimulated and become highly affectionate and passionate towards their families.
You can read about the size, height, and weight of the Jack Russell Terrier here.
In my opinion, the Jack Russell Terrier is one of the best family dogs you could choose to adopt.
However, be ready for that high-energy and active dog to be bringing life to the home and demanding some attention.
The Pit Bull Terrier
Next, you have the other 50% that makes up the Jack Pit dog breed, your Pit Bull Terrier.
We will discuss the other potential Pit Bull Terrier mixes with Jack Russell’s later in this discussion.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is another extremely loyal dog breed that demands physical activity and needs the ability to be active.
When provided discipline, training, and consistency, the Pit Bull Terrier is another one of the best family dogs you could adopt.
Pit Bull Terriers are protective of their owners, highly affectionate, and even follow their owners around and remain connected at the hip.
Obviously, the Pit Bull Terrier is much larger than the Jack Russell Terrier, and Pit Bulls are known for their brute strength and muscle mass.
You can read about the size, height and weight of the Pit Bull Terrier here.
The next logical question you may have is what you can expect when the Pit Bull Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier breed to create your mixed dog breed, the Jack Pit.
Those details are next.
The Best of Both Dogs, The Jack Pit (Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier Mix)
One of the most imperative things to understand about a mixed dog breed such as the Jack Pit is that distinguishing exact physical and even behavior characteristics can be challenging when crossbreeding is in play.
Your Jack Pit will naturally take on some of the Pit Bull Terrier characteristics and genes and some of the Jack Russell Terrier genes and traits.
As to which will be show more dominant genes is tough to say.
You may get a Jack Pit that more closely behaves like the Jack Russell, and you may get the opposite.
No guarantees when it comes to Jack Pits.
However, what we can do is explain the averages and the commonly reported behaviors and physical characteristics of the Jack Pit, which is what I want to touch on next.
5 Key Facts About The Jack Pit (Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier)
#1- Height, Weight, and Size
The Jack Pit will typically grow to roughly 15 inches tall and weigh between 30-50lbs.
Whether your Jack Pit takes more physical genes from the Pit Bull Terrier or The Jack Russell Terrier is a 50/50 chance with crossbreeds.
#2- The Jack Pit Is Smart
The Jack Pit takes both parent dogs’ intelligence (The Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier) and makes for a brilliant and willing to learn dog breed.
#3- Life Span Of The Jack Pit
The Jack Pit typically lives between 10-15 years if provided a loving home and a healthy diet.
And, of course, exercise.
#4- The Jack Pit May Challenge First Time Dog Owners
As a Jack Russell Terrier owner, I can say that this fun fact is 100% true.
While it is 100% possible and even enjoyable to own a Jack Pit as a first-time dog owner, these dogs are known to be high-energy and even potentially stubborn at times.
Keep this in mind before ultimately deciding to adopt.
#5- Jack Pit’s Can Make Excellent Dogs For Families With Kids
At one point in time, Jack Russell’s and Pit Bull Terrier’s both had a reputation for being aggressive.
This was a false claim, and typically the aggressive cases were instances when the dog was bred for the wrong reasons and raised in non-ethical environments.
The Jack Pit can make for an excellent companion dog for the entire family and be perfect for families with children.
You can read about Jack Russell Terriers interact with families and children here.
You can read about how Pit Bull Terriers interact with families and children here.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Jack Pit (Jack Russell, Pit Bull Terrier Mix)
Now that we know a bit more about the Jack Pit, I want to make sure you have a deep understanding of this dog breed and begin answering some of the most common questions.
Here is a look at those:
How Do You Adopt A Jack Pit?
Adopting a Jack-Pit may be easier than you think but may also pose difficulty in some circumstances.
You will have 2 primary options to adopt a Jack Pit:
Jack Pits At Local Rescues
Your local rescue is where you should begin your search for a Jack Pit Terrier.
I mainly believe in using local rescues when it is possible to help avoid dogs not having a loving home.
Additionally, it is very possible they have a Jack Pit ready and waiting.
You can also use online platforms to search for Jack Pit Terriers and filter based on your local area.
If this fails, you can always consider using a breeder near you as well.
Jack Pit Breeders
Breeders for Pit Bull Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers are both abundant in most areas making it relatively easy to find one or the other.
However, to find a mix, you may need to look for a breeder near you specializing in Jack Pits.
Again, do your research in advance to understand your options and get comfortable with the breeder that makes the most sense for your adoption.
Adoption Costs Of The Jack Pit
The costs to adopt a Jack Pit is going to vary significantly based on your area, demand, and the physical characteristics of the parent dogs.
If you intend to use a local rescue, it may range anywhere from free to $250.00 to adopt a Jack Pit.
If you intend to find someone who has specifically bred this dog breed, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200.00-$800.00.
Breeders can charge what they would like assuming the demand is still showing based on these prices.
Shop around and check local rescues to find the best price for you.
Caring For Jack Pit Terriers
Caring for Jack Pit Terrier’s will be somewhat straightforward, but you need to keep in mind that both the Pit Bull Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier are relatively demanding dogs.
They are high-energy, crave attention, and have loyalty to their families.
Additionally, you can count on other care needs that need to be met, such as the following:
Exercise Needs For Jack Pit’s
Exercise for Jack Pit’s is going to be crucial.
It will be necessary for several reasons, such as health, mental health, and even socialization.
As a Jack Russell Terrier owner, myself, I can tell you that I struggle to meet my dog’s energy needs somedays but when I do provide exercise, she is a much more behaved and calmer dog.
Pit Bull Terriers are also demanding when it comes to exercise needs.
If you have the intentions of adopting a 50% Jack Russell Terrier and 50% Pit Bull Terrier, you can bank on the fact that they will need you to be active with them.
Consider exercise activities such as the following with a Jack Pit Terrier:
- Running
- Walking
- Swimming
- Fetch
- Flirt Pole
- Tug
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Rollerblading
Here are a few related articles that may help you with your Jack Pit when it comes to exercise:
- Pit Bulls and Swimming
- Pit Bulls and Walking
- Exercise For Pit Bull Terriers
- Exercise for Jack Russell Terriers
- Walking a Jack Russell Terrier
- Running With A Jack Russell Terrier
- Swimming With a Jack Russell Terrier
Trust me, a mix between a Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier will be capable of keeping up with most of the exercise activities you are willing to partake in.
Are Jack Pit’s Easy To Train?
Jack Pit’s will be a brilliant dog and will have a strong willingness to learn, making training easy.
However, this is a dog that wants and desires to be challenged frequently.
Stubbornness can also display with a Jack Pit, so while training may be easy, it is essential to continue working with your Jack Pit to ensure they remained disciplined, socialized, and well-behaved.
You can read about potty training a Pit Bull here.
You can read about potty training a Jack Russell Terrier here
You can read about socializing a Pit Bull Terrier here.
You can read about socializing a Jack Russell Terrier here.
These related discussions above should give you an idea into both of the parent dogs of the Jack Pit making it easier to understand what you may have to plan for if you intend to adopt a Jack Pit.
Do Jack Pit’s Need A Special Diet?
A Jack Pit does not need a special diet compared to a Jack Russell Terrier or a Pit Bull Terrier.
High quality and balanced diets will be excellent for your dog.
High protein diets are also recommended for the Jack Pit Terrier.
However, some owners of both the Pit Bull Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier often contemplate other diet alternatives for their dogs due to the potential upside.
Here are a few articles I have written discussing this for you to check out.
Read about if you should offer your Jack Russell Terrier a raw meat diet here.
Read about if you should offer your Pit Bull Terrier a raw meat diet here.
Grooming Needs With Jack Pit Terriers
Grooming needs will be one of the easy jobs you have if you decide to adopt a Jack Pit Terrier.
Both the Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier are known to have short coats of hair that does not need much to groom outside of a weekly brushing and a bath as needed.
However, they will be moderate shedders and are not considered hypoallergenic.
Keep that in mind before deciding to adopt.
You can read about Jack Russell’s and bath needs here.
You can read about shedding with Jack Russell Terriers here.
You can read about overall grooming needs for a Jack Russell Terrier here.
Again, these other posts and discussions will help you understand what will be expected of you when it comes to grooming a Jack Pit Terrier.
Common Health Issues With Jack Pit’s
Health issues are common with most dog breeds.
Especially when they reach certain ages.
For the Jack Pit, you can experience some of the common health issues you find in both the Pit Bull Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier.
This can include luxation, which is the displacement of the eye lens.
Pit Bulls are also known to struggle with seizures, possible diabetes, and hip dysplasia later in life.
Both parent dogs can suffer from obesity, as well.
Make sure that if you adopt a Jack Pit, you stick to a well-balanced diet and keep them active to avoid as many health issues as possible.
Behavior and Temperament, You Can Expect With Jack Pits
Overall, with a Jack Pit, you can expect an loving and affectionate dog.
Both parent dogs are known to be friendly and extremely loyal.
However, both dogs also like to be the center of attention and are known to be relatively owner dependent and may even follow you around everywhere.
You can read about a Jack Russell Terrier following you around everywhere here.
You can also read about the tendencies of a Pit Bull Terrier to follow you around everywhere here.
With proper socialization, discipline, and training, the Jack Pit can be one of the best cross breeds you could choose to adopt.
If you need a broad overview of the behavior of both of the parent dogs of the Jack Pit Terrier, you can read my related behavior guides directly below.
Behavior Guide Of The Jack Russell Terrier
Behavior Guide Of The Pit Bull Terrier
Other Potential Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier Mixes
Another vital consideration to keep in mind about Pit Bull and Jack Russell Terrier mixes is that you have a few other crossbreeds possible from these two dog breeds.
This is because the phrase “Pit Bull” gets thrown around too loosely and used incorrectly when you have a few specific breeds.
Let me explain.
Bully Jack Terrier (Bull Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier Mix)
One example of this is the Bully Jack, which is a mix between the American Bull Terrier and The Jack Russell Terrier.
For the most part, this crossbreed will be remarkably like the Jack Pit outside of some primary physical characteristic differences.
Behavior Of The Bully Jack
The Bully Jack is another dog known to be very friendly, loyal, but demand attention and can be very owner dependent.
With a loving home and proper socialization, the Bully Jack is another fantastic crossbreed of the Jack Russell Terrier that you can choose to adopt.
Average Sizing Of The Bully Jack
| Bully Jack Terrier | Height | Weight |
| Bull Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier Mix | 12-18 inches | 35-45lbs |
American Bull Jack (American Bull Dog and Jack Russell Terrier Mix)
The last crossbreed you can get from the Jack Russell Terrier with a Pit Bull Terrier is the American Bull Jack, the American Bull Dog Terrier mixed with Jack Russell Terrier.
Behavior Of The American Bull Jack
From a behavior standpoint, the primary difference with the Bull Jack Terrier is the potential to be slightly calmer than your other two crossbreeds.
This is because the American Bull Dog is less demanding energy-wise than the Bull Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier.
However, keep in mind that the Bull Jack is still 50% Jack Russell Terrier, so it is still 100% possible that you adopt a dog that wants to burn some energy and get wild every now and then.
Average Sizing Of American Bull Jack Terrier
| American Bull Jack Terrier | Height | Weight |
| American Bull Dog/Jack Russell Terrier | 17-21 inches | 40-60lbs |
Jack Pits (Jack Russell Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier) Makes For A Loving and Spunky Dog
In my opinion, the Jack Russell Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier are two of the best dogs you can adopt, so having the opportunity to embrace and adopt a Jack Pit gives you the best of both worlds.
While they may be slightly more challenging when it comes to energy and exercise, they still make for one of the more entertaining, energetic, and personality filled members of the family.
With a loving home, discipline, training, and consistency, the Jack Pit can make for one of the best dogs your family could choose to adopt.
Be sure to provide these things for your Jack Pit and watch the relationship flourish and grow.
Luna and I wish you the best of luck with your Jack-Pit’s if you do decide to adopt and the journey you have ahead of you!
Ever Owned a Jack Pit or Have Any Intentions of Adopting a Jack Pit In The Future?
Do you currently own or plan to adopt a Jack Pit in the future?
Do you have any other recommendations you can share with the readers about the Jack Pit?
Be sure to share those thoughts, stories, and concerns by dropping a comment below.
As always, Luna and I appreciate you stopping by and reading today, and we will see you again next time.
