Beagle Jack Russell Terrier Mix: Jack-A-Bee Breed Information

The high-energy hunter Jack Russell, mixed with the tracking skills of the Beagle, makes the Jackabee, also called the Jack-A-Bee and Beagle Jack. This adorable, mixed breed is a crazy but lovable digger. They are incredibly energetic and have short bursts of speed. Jackabees will launch themselves across your house and backyard.

The Beagle is often referred to as a hound dog. They have the expert ability to track scents for miles with their impressive nose. The Jack Russell has an intense hunting instinct and will rid your backyard of rodents if you let them.

The Jackabee shouldn’t be attempted by new dog owners, as the Jack Russell part of them makes for a very hard-to-train breed. The Jack Russell’s hunting instinct is so embedded in them that you won’t train them out of it. If you have other pets or small children, they need to be puppies even to have a chance of living with cats or other dogs.

Jackabees are small dogs that don’t require a lot of space and, despite their high energy, do not need a lot of exercise. Will this digger and hunter be the perfect companion? Let’s get to know this one-of-a-kind mixed breed.

Jack-A-Bee Parent Breeds

A “designer dog” is any mix between two purebred parents. For any mixed canine to be classified as a designer breed, the parents would have to be bred purely for generations up until the point of being bred with another breed. A true purebred dog will have puppies with the same characteristics and temperament as their parents.

The Beagle and Jack Russell mix creates the most lively of dogs. Because of their smaller size, the Beagle and Jack Russell are often compared to purebred family companions. Neither breed is prone to many health issues, extending their lifespans compared to other dogs. It’s very likely that they’ll have the most extreme temperaments and will need a lot of attention.

The Jackabee will have so many variants that it’s challenging to determine what they’ll look or act like. They won’t be quiet dogs, that’s for sure, but their energy level will vary depending on who they take after.

Beagle Overview

The Beagle dates back to England and was primarily used as a hunting companion. These pups have been around since the mid-1400s, and the name was used to describe the breed, which has excellent hunting, sniffing, and tracking abilities. The overall breed’s look differed depending on the game types it was expected to track. Uniform appearance did not fully conform until about two centuries ago.

Beagles were imported to the United States and have even been companions to former presidents. Beagles have been used in showbiz, but there are few more popular Beagles in history outside of the cartoon character Snoopy. They are still used by hunters for tracking purposes to this day but are widely thought of as lapdogs in the United States.

Beagles are medium-sized (sometimes smaller) and are often used as a working breed that can sniff out narcotics and illegal items at airports by law enforcement personnel. They enjoy working, especially due to their high energy requirements when they are younger. Beagles get along excellently with kids as family pets and will often tolerate pulling on ears and tugging at tails during playtime.

Beagles are affectionate and loving yet extremely driven workers. This dog breed can be considered even-tempered and the “best of both worlds” when considering a medium-sized pup to add to your family. They love their jobs and being around children. Beagles often live longer than 12 years and range between 20 to 35 pounds. They are famous mixed pups, and other popular mixes include the Beagle & Labrador Retriever, the Beaski, and the Aussie/Beagle mix.

Jack Russell Overview

The Jack Russell originated as a hunter in England, but as a bay terrier (they don’t kill prey) in the 1800s. They have a broad genetic makeup and come in various sizes, coat lengths, and styles. Their leg length was considerable disagreement among Jack Russell enthusiasts, so more than one type exists. Shorter legs are simply Jack Russell Terriers, while longer-legged are called Parson Jack Russell Terriers.

Once brought to the US, they were quickly used in the film, with “Moose,” who played “Eddie” in the show “Frasier,” and “Soccer,” who played “Wishbone.” Short-legged types are more popular for companionship, while long-legged ones are used in races. They are new additions to the American Kennel Club, though it did come with multiple protests.

As mentioned, there isn’t one Jack Russell Terrier. They can have a double coat, a flat coat, or a hard coat. They are short, even with long legs, and have overall low grooming needs. Jack Russells are very energetic but have small exercise needs with a high tendency to bark and a high tendency to dig.

Small, energetic, and happy little diggers, Russells require a lot of attention and the need to hunt. You won’t be able to train the hunting instinct out of this breed, so only bring them into your home if you have other pets as puppies. They are considered long-lived at 13-15 years and only reach 14 inches tall.

Beagle Jack Russell Mix

Similar to most designer dogs, the origins of this breed are unknown. No one really knows who created the Beagle mix with a Jack Russell. We do know they are a unique and unforgettable mixed breed. The Jackabee was likely bred around the time most designer breeds came to be, the ’90s and early 2000s. When looking up the history of the breed, it was likely that this mix occurred to create a breed that was expert hunters and trackers. Since the Jack Russell has an intense hunting instinct, the combined sense of smell from the Beagle will make them unstoppable hunters.

The Jackabee is a relatively new breed and hasn’t been studied in length like their purebred parents, but this mix will definitely be different and vary depending on their parent. Not only that, but the Jack Russell has a complex DNA stream. A long-legged Jack Russell could produce a short-legged one with a completely different coat from their parents.

Both the Beagle and Jack Russell are hunters to their core. They have an excellent sense of smell and will be great dogs for tracking humans and animals. The Jack Russell can’t have their hunter instinct trained or bred out of them, so, no matter what, they will want to hunt.

They can be challenging to train, and this needs to be emphasized. Jack Russells will be hunters, no matter how hard you train them. Although this has been mentioned multiple times, this can’t be said enough. Other than this, they still can be challenging to train. Do not attempt this breed if you haven’t had a stubborn breed before.

Temperament

The Beagle Jack Russell mix is a friendly but somewhat hyper dog. When trained and socialized properly they have a sweet personality. These dogs are better suited for older children, and they can get aggressive when they are frightened. They are affectionate and attached to their people but can get protective when they feel threatened.

Remember that any mixed breed can be unpredictable in temperament. However, this mix has two very opinionated parents, so expect a pup with a stubborn streak. The Beagle Jack Russell mix loves people they are close to but can be apprehensive of strangers and new people. They like cats and other dogs but do not tolerate smaller animals like rabbits, hamsters, and other rodents.

Appearance & Grooming

A Jackabee’s appearance will depend on the parents, but even knowing the parents won’t determine what they’ll look or feel like. The Jack Russell could have a smooth coat that’s sleek, short, and shiny or a rough coat that’s coarse, wiry, and longer. Or, they could have a broken coat, which is somewhere between both coats.

Coat colors from both the Jack Russell and Beagle are white, blue belton, white and chestnut, orange and white, lemon and white, tri-color, chocolate tri, white and chocolate or chestnut, and red and white.

The size of the Jackabee will vary, but they’ll fall between 15 and 30 pounds and could be as tall as 15 inches. Their ears will be floppy, and their snout could be small or medium-sized. The look of the Jackabee is different depending on whether or not the Jack Russell parent has short or long legs.

Jackabees come in three coat varieties, so their grooming needs will vary. They could be long-haired, short-haired, or medium-coated. If they are smoothed and short-coated, once per week is more than enough. If they are long, once per day.

Make sure to trim their nails frequently, as their large nails could easily scratch up the furniture. It’s also uncomfortable for large dogs to have their nails scrape across the ground. Brushing their teeth isn’t necessary but likely appreciated once your dog gets used to it.

Training

The Jackabee is a hyperactive dog that needs to be trained to calm down in front of company. They can’t be trained out of their hunting instinct. They are also difficult to train in general. Start young, take them to lessons multiple times per week at first, and be consistent.

Positive reinforcement is the best method for any dog. Do not scold them when they do something wrong, as your pup will grow to resent you and make it harder to train. Giving them treats or toys for a job well done will train them quickly.

Obedience training should be done as soon as possible so they can tell the difference between what you consider right and wrong. Dogs look up to their alphas for guidance and are less likely to disobey if they see you as an authority.

Small dogs have a small bladder, so it may be difficult for them to hold their pee for long periods of time. When they’re puppies, it’s better to have pads throughout the home so they don’t have accidents. Make sure to take your Jackabee out often.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Jackabee is a high-octane dog with a lot of energy, so it’s hard to believe that they don’t require much exercise. Still, you need to keep them on a leash, or they will run too fast for you to chase them. Be sure to be prepared for them wrenching the leach.

You’ll need to exercise them daily for a minimum of 40 minutes daily. It’s recommended to take them out for a walk twice daily. They are small and don’t require a lot of space, so even an apartment would be optimal for them.

Jackabees won’t do well staying outside for extended periods of time. They don’t have coats equipped for winter months either, despite them being outdoor workers. We always recommend not to leave them outside overnight, because they could get sick. Always get your pup a nice, warm place to stay – preferably in the bed beside you.

Health

As with most designer breeds, the Jackabee is less likely to have health problems due to the mix of two purebreds ruling out some health problems as they get older. This doesn’t mean they’re immune, so make sure to watch their weight and feed them a healthy diet.

Jack Russells are at risk for eye diseases, like dislocated lenses, Legg-Perthes disease, luxating patellas, blood clotting, and portosystemic shunts. Most of Jack Russell’s medical issues stem from their blood, so get multiple blood tests throughout their life.

Beagles are at risk for hypothyroidism, eye conditions, obesity, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, and factor VII deficiency. These issues also come in old age, so it’s best to take care of them while they’re young to prevent issues in the future.

Nutrition

Jackabees need a proper diet of mostly protein and fat with low carbs. A Jackabee mixed puppy should have a diet of 22% protein, while the adult should have 18%, according to the American Feed Control Officials. It’s also recommended to feed your Jackabess whole meats like fish, beef, and chicken.

Jackabees are also prone to obesity because of their small size, so feeding them smaller portions throughout the day, along with adequate exercise, will go a long way in improving your pet’s health.

As Family Pets

Jackabees are avid hunters and diggers, but are they the perfect pup for your family? There are several things you’ll need to consider before bringing the Jack-A-Bee into your home. They are not for everyone, but let’s look at what types of families they are perfect for.

• The Jackabee is lively, energetic, and attention-seekers.
• They love attention but don’t require much room.
• Grooming requirements are low to high. It might need to be brushed once per day.
• Jackabees shed a lot, so be prepared to vacuum frequently.
• Exercise requirements are small at about 40 minutes per day.
• Energetic and ready to please, you’ll need to play with them a lot.
• A personality that’s mainly stubborn and excitable.
• Health problems are minimal due to the mix, but watch for mobility issues.
• Find a breeder that can show you the parent’s health issues.

After thinking about this breed’s needs, do you think the Jackabee is the perfect companion for you? There are multiple options to find one, from going directly to a breeder to checking out local Jack Russell or Beagle rescue centers. 

Breeders & Puppy Prices

Finding a breeder that specializes in Jack Russell and Beagles may be difficult. A good breeder won’t be difficult to find, but keep in mind that this mixed breed is rarer than average.

A well-bred Jackabee could cost you upwards of $600, which is an excellent price for a small dog. The cheaper pups will likely not have papers for their breeding dogs, while the higher-priced ones will.

Always research the breeders you want to buy from, as you don’t want to be sold a sick puppy (unless you have the funds to make them better). Jackabees are not likely to have health issues due to their resilience. If you aren’t interested in buying from a breeder, searching for a rescue in your area is another option. Contact your local Beagle and Jack Russell clubs for local breeders and rescues.

Jackabee Rescues

Jack Russells are surrendered often because of their high energy and oftentimes, poor handling. Some owners are not aware that they digger often and can’t have their hunter instinct trained out of them. Be prepared for their nature. They are still sweet dogs with a lot of love to give, but they are hyperactive. If you don’t have the time for them, they will develop personality issues.

This option is cheaper, with the only negative not knowing the parents of the dog. Still, these pets will need loving homes and will be unforgettable companions whether they’re purebred or not. For the chance to find a Jackabee as a rescue, you can check out the Jack Russell Terrier Rescue or the Beagle Rescue for more information.

Final Thoughts

Jackabees are super sweet companions who love to run, jump, and play. They are hyperactive hunters who have an intense need to dig and find prey. Make sure that you’re ready for their energetic nature because they need you to keep up with them. Jackabees are also one of those breeds that could appear as almost anything. There are multiple coat and color combinations that they could be. If you have the time and patience for them, they’ll be your friend for life.