The Cav-A-Jack is a mix between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, resulting in a lovable and energetic pup with an affectionate personality.
Mix-breed dogs are extremely common and arguably becoming more common than owning and raising a purebred puppy.
Jack Russell Terriers are a dog breed known for having dozens of different mixed breeds.
All of them offer some unique personalities and desirable traits.
Understanding the differences between the mixed breeds will help you understand your options and how to care for your dog properly.
Today, we are going to focus on one of the most popular mixed breeds of the Jack Russell Terrier which is known as the Cav-A-Jack.
For some families, the Cav-A-Jack makes the perfect addition.
For others, it is best to continue reading so you understand the personality and temperament of this dog breed and decide if this is the dog breed for you.
During our brief discussion, we will cover everything from the personality of the Cav-A-Jack to the best practices you should implement for grooming.
The goal is to provide you with a clear understanding of the breed and educate you as much as possible before any potential adoption.
Let’s start with a basic overview of the Cav-A-Jack.
| Breed Names | Cav-A-Jack, Cavajack, Jackalier |
| Height (inches) | 10″ to 15″ |
| Weight (pounds) | 10 to 20 pounds |
| Color | White with black, brown, and/or tan |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Cost | $500 to $2,500 |
Cav-A-Jack Overview
The Cav-A-Jack is a relatively new designer breed that has been gaining popularity over the last few years.
As with most designer breeds, the origins of the Cav-A-Jack are not necessarily well-documented, and there is little information available about the breed’s specific history.
I think we can all agree that the Jack Russell Terrier is a desirable and extremely well-known and popular breed.
The same can be said about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
In the early 1990s, hundreds of mixed dog breeds began popping up when breeders began experimenting with creating new and unique hybrids by crossbreeding two purebred dogs.
The Cav-A-Jack is an example of this.
Cav-A-Jack is an intelligent, loving, and lively breed that takes on the best traits of both of its parent breeds, the Jack Russell Terrier, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
From those traits listed, I would say loyalty and liveliness are the two things you should keep in mind and the two distinct personality traits that will be mentioned again in this discussion.
Next, I want to cover some of the primary personality traits you will experience if you intend on adopting a Cav-A-Jack in the future.
Key Personality Characteristics Of The Cav-A-Jack
Affectionate: The Cav-A-Jack is known to be extremely affectionate towards their owners and thrive on human attention.
You will notice relatively quickly that this dog breed loves to snuggle up on the couch with its owners and are always up for a good cuddle.
This is 100% exactly how my Jack Russell behaves as well and one of my favorite traits about this dog breed.
Energetic: Being a mix of two energetic breeds, the Cav-A-Jack is full of energy and loves to play.
This may sound like a trait you desire but you should also realize that this is one of the traits that make this dog, not for everyone.
Not everyone has the time to meet the demands of this high energy level.
They require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them occupied and happy.
Keep this in mind if you intend to adopt.
Intelligent: Both parent breeds of the Cav-A-Jack are highly intelligent, and this trait is reflected in the Cav-A-Jack as well. They are quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement training.
My Jack Russell picked up on everything very quickly, but I also remained consistent and diligent with my efforts when training and raising her.
You need to do the same if you expect to use the intelligence of this dog breed to the highest level.
Sociable: The Cav-A-Jack is a social breed that gets along well with people and other pets.
They can be great with children and make excellent family pets if you take the time to properly socialize this breed.
Take the time to get your Cav-A-Jack comfortable with people, other pets, and situations.
Loyal: The Cav-A-Jack is a very loyal breed that forms strong bonds with its owners.
They are protective of their family and will always be there to provide comfort and support.
My Jack Russell is by far the most protective and loyal dog I have ever owned.
It’s important to note that this specific behavior or personality trait can also spark jealousy and some potential negative behavior traits.
Playful: The Cav-A-Jack loves to play and is always up for anything you are willing to offer.
Whether you want to take them to a local dog park or just a walk around the block, I assure you that the Cav-A-Jack is going to be right by your side if you want them to be.
You can also utilize this behavior for other great activities such as swimming, hiking or even a simple game of fetch.
The Appearance of the Cav-A-Jack
Cav-A-Jacks are not going to be all that different from either parent dog breed.
The physical characteristics of the breed will be very similar to my female 4-year-old Jack Russell Terrier (Luna).
The Cav-A-Jack is a small to medium-sized dog, weighing between 10 to 20 pounds and standing between 10 to 15 inches tall.
As a mix between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cav-A-Jack may inherit any combination of physical traits from its parent breeds, making their appearance somewhat unpredictable.
However, they are generally small and stocky with a compact body, and their coat is usually short and dense.
Grooming Needs of the Cav-A-Jack
The grooming needs of a Cav-A-Jack will depend on the type of coat they inherit from their parent breeds.
If the dog has inherited more of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s coat, it will require more grooming than if it inherits more of the Jack Russell Terrier’s coat.
My Jack Russell Terrier requires nothing more than a bi-monthly bath and brushing 1-4 times per week.
Super simple right?
In general, the Cav-A-Jack will require weekly brushing to keep its coat healthy and clean, and regular baths to keep it smelling fresh.
Regular grooming will also help prevent the matting and tangling of the fur.
Additionally, it is important to keep the dog’s nails trimmed and its ears cleaned to prevent infections.
Cost to Adopt a Cav-A-Jack
The cost to adopt a Cav-A-Jack can vary depending on several factors, including the breeder’s location and reputation, the dog’s age, and the dog’s overall health.
On average, a Cav-A-Jack puppy can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500.
However, it is important to note that there are additional costs associated with adopting a new puppy, including initial gear such as a crate, food, water bowls, and toys.
You should also never get cheap items such as toys for a dog breed like the Cav-A-Jack.
Without toys or something to occupy this dog breed, you are likely going to lose some possessions around the house or see some damage elsewhere.
This is a chewing-type dog breed in the early years so make sure to invest in toys and protect your home until you can trust your Cav-A-Jack unsupervised.
Exercise Needs and Energy Levels of the Cav-A-Jack
Exercise is one of the most imperative things to consider before adopting a Cav-A-Jack.
It’s a must and without it, you will not be providing the proper care for this dog.
Let alone keeping your Cav-A-Jack healthy and happy.
The Cav-A-Jack. is a highly energetic breed that requires regular exercise to maintain its physical and mental health.
The Cav-A-Jack loves to play and run around, so it is important to provide them with plenty of opportunities for exercise and playtime.
I’d set this bar at a minimum of 30-60 minutes per day.
A daily walk or run, as well as some time spent playing in a fenced yard, should be sufficient to keep a Cav-A-Jack healthy and happy.
Behavior and Temperament of the Cav-A-Jack
The Cav-A-Jack is a friendly and outgoing dog breed that loves to be around people.
If you take the time to properly socialize, you can expect the Cav-A-Jack to have a cheerful and lively personality that can brighten up anyone’s day.
However, they can also have a strong prey drive, which means that they may chase smaller animals if they are not properly trained and socialized.
As with any dog breed, early socialization is key to ensuring that your Cav-A-Jack is well-behaved around people and other animals.
I made sure to place a special emphasis on this when I adopted my Jack Russell Terrier because of all the advice I was able to find in advance.
Training and socialization should begin as early as possible to help your Cav-A-Jack develop into a well-rounded and well-behaved adult.
Intelligence Levels of the Cav-A-Jack
Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are known for their intelligence, and the Cav-A-Jack is no exception.
These dogs are quick learners and can easily pick up new commands and tricks with the right training.
However, their intelligence can also make them stubborn at times, so it is important to establish yourself as the pack leader early on.
I learned this the hard way and have had my Jack Russell test my patience more times than I can count.
Consistent training and positive reinforcement will help your Cav-A-Jack learn and grow into a well-behaved and obedient dog.
Is the Cav-A-Jack a Good Family Pet?
Overall, the Cav-A-Jack can make a great family pet for the right family.
They are friendly, outgoing, and playful, making them a great match for families with active children or other pets.
However, they may not be the best choice for families with very young children or small pets, as their strong prey drive can cause them to chase after smaller animals and without proper socialization can show possessive and jealous behavior toward young children.
However, I want to make sure I add a note to this discussion that the Cav-A-Jack can still be great with young children with that proper socialization and more importantly, supervision during the early days.
You can begin reducing the overall supervision as you become more comfortable with the dog.
In the beginning, it’s extremely important for everyone’s safety including the Cav-A-Jacks.
Life Expectancy of the Cav-A-Jack
The average lifespan of the Cav-A-Jack is between 12 and 15 years.
Like all dog breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and heart problems.
To ensure that your Cav-A-Jack. remains healthy throughout their life, it is important to provide them with proper nutrition, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care.
Regular check-ups with your veterinarian can help catch any health issues early on, giving your Cav-A-Jack the best chance for a long and healthy life.
The Takeaway
The Cav-A-Jack is an energetic mixed-breed dog that can make a great addition to the right family.
They are friendly, outgoing, and intelligent, and they love to play and interact with people and other animals.
They do require plenty of attention, exercise, and training.
If this is provided, you and the Cav-A-Jack could make the perfect fit.
Luna and I wish you the best of luck if you do intend to adopt in the near future.