A combination of two characteristic little dogs is surely going to bring you a lot of joy and adventures, but they are not without their flaws.
In this article, we will talk about what the dachshund terrier mix is in more detail and the pros and cons of owning one which will give you a better overall picture of what to expect when you bring one home.
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What Is A Dachshund Terrier Mix?
A dachshund terrier mix is a dog breed that consists of the dachshund and Jack Russell terrier.
This mixed breed can also go by the name ‘Jackshund’ which is quite adorable and recently has climbed in popularity.
If you are not very familiar, a dachshund is a small breed of hound dog that has very short legs and a long back.
The standard dachshund was bred in Germany to chase and flush out animals such as badgers, but there is also a miniature dachshund which was bred to do the same but for smaller animals like rabbits.
Dachshunds are only getting more and more popular as the years go by and in 2018 were ranked as the 12 most popular dog breed in the US, so they are likely to be much higher on the list in more recent years.
The Jack Russell terrier originated in England in the 18th century and are primarily white with brown patches but can vary.
They were used for hunting animals such as foxes as they have a very lively and tenacious personality.
It’s hard to say what this mixed breed will look like once it has fully grown as it is heavily dependent on its parents.
They can vary in colors, patterns, and hair lengths, but we do have a bit more of an idea of how big they will get, this is because both the Jack Russell terrier and dachshund are of similar size anyway.
11 to 14 inches tall is the average height for this mixed breed and will usually weigh around 30 pounds, these measurements make them a good choice for those who live in an apartment as long as you provide them with good exercise.
Pros Of Owning A Dachshund Terrier Mix
Let’s start off with the best things about owning a dachshund terrier mix!
Friendly And Loyal
Dachshunds and Jack Russell terriers are friendly towards others, but this does not mean that you shouldn’t give them plenty of socialization and training early on.
However, some will naturally be more wary of strangers and this is not necessarily a bad thing unless they resort to aggression – then it becomes a problem, and you will have to go through training exercises for them to get better.
Their small sizes allowed them to fit down small holes and to work beside us to go down to flush out small animals as well as chase and catch them.
Due to their long history of working closely with their owners, they are prone to bonding especially close to one person and will keep close to them throughout the day.
So if you are looking for a companion that will enjoy being in your company, then a dachshund terrier mix would be a perfect breed for the job.
They Are Very Cute
Their small size, tiny legs, and big eyes are enough to make anyone melt inside, it is almost like they are puppies forever which makes them very appealing to have as pets.
Their small size makes them easy to pick up and cuddle (if they are okay with it) and if you do not like the idea of large dogs knocking you over or pulling your arm out of the socket then the little dachshund terrier mix is the one for you.
Always Up For A Walk
If you are an active person and love to go on new adventures, then this little ball of fun is the perfect companion to bring along.
Even though they are quite small, dachshund terrier mixes are always up for exercise whether it’s a walk or a fun game of fetch.
Jack Russells have bags of energy and will need a minimum of one hour a day of exercise to be happy and healthy.
Dachshunds on the other hand will need around 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise. With these facts in mind, we can safely assume that a cross between these two breeds will need about an hour of exercise a day at least.
They Don’t Shed A Lot
The dachshund terrier mix is not hypoallergenic but only tends to shed seasonally instead of other breeds such as border collies and beagles that shed constantly throughout the year which your vacuum will be very grateful for!
Having a dog that sheds a lot means that you will have to keep on top of their grooming regime to help get rid of the loose and dead hair.
If your mix has inherited a long and wavy coat, then you will likely have to groom them more to prevent matting.
They Have A Long Lifespan
Depending on their genetics and how well they are looked after, the dachshund terrier mix has a life expectancy of between 10 and 16 years.
For the best chance of getting your dog to live a long and healthy life, there are some things that you can do which will have a big impact and give you many more years of love and companionship.
A healthy diet filled with nutrients and vitamins is essential for a long life.
Do your best to stay away from preservatives and do research on the best foods for your dog whilst remembering that giving your dog good food does not mean that you have to break the bank!
Other things such as daily physical and mental exercise will keep their body and mind active, also brushing their teeth and taking them to regular vet checks ensures that their health is in order.
Cons Of Owning A Dachshund Terrier Mix
Now that we have covered all the good parts about this breed, we should talk about the not-so-good parts.
They Like The Sound of Their Own Voice
Sometimes, this mixed breed will forget how small and nonthreatening they are and will bark at almost anything to show it who is boss.
They will also bark out of excitement, frustration, and boredom just to name a few and if you don’t put a stop to it, it can snowball into a constant habit that will take a lot of work to break out of.
If you live in an apartment with neighbors nearby, you should seriously think about the consequences of having a dog that barks a lot as it can lead you to get noise complaints or even evicted if nothing is done about it.
Prone To Back Problems
Dachshunds are known for their long backs, after all, they are not called ‘sausage dogs’ for nothing, but this long back can lead to a lot of health problems down the road.
Even when mixed with a Jack Russell terrier, they will still have a longer back than average and the short legs also increase the risk of developing spinal issues such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
IVDD is treated with surgery which can cost thousands of dollars if you do not have pet insurance or are on a plan that can cover the costs.
IVDD is the most common spinal disease in dogs and is when the cushions between the vertebrae suffer from degeneration which then loses the ability to absorb shock away from the spine, leading to disc herniation and compression of the spinal cord.
This is why it is heavily advised to not let your dachshund jump off of things such as the bed or couch as it puts unnecessary strain on the spine and runs the risk of it being injured.
To help with this, you should get some ramps for around the house and train your dachshund terrier mix to use them instead of jumping.
Not only is it very important for their general health, but keeping your dog a healthy weight is vital for the joints because if they are overweight or obese, it puts a lot more pressure on them which their spine cannot handle.
As well as back problems, dachshund terrier mixes can also get breathing problems, heart disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, skin problems, allergies, and epilepsy.
You should take your pet to the vet regularly so that they can spot the early signs of any health issue that they are suffering from which will give them a much better prognosis.
However, bear in mind that a mixed breed is generally more healthy than a purebred but does not rule out the fact that it is still possible for them to experience any of these health problems.
Can Be Stubborn
These two breeds are already quite stubborn but when you combine them together, it makes for a very strong-willed character, but this is not the same for all of them as it depends again on the parents and what their personalities are like.
Some will naturally be more stubborn whilst others will be very eager to please, so it’s a bit of a gamble when getting a puppy as their personalities will not be fully developed yet.
If you have a dachshund terrier mix that is quite strong-willed, then you will likely have a harder time with training because they will be thinking about what’s in it for them, and if the reward is not good enough it’ll be hard to get them to follow the command again.
You will have to persevere and have some delicious treats on hand such as chicken or hot dogs.
Also, use lots of praise when they do something right and do not punish them with yelling or hitting as this is not only cruel but will make your dog nervous, confused, and possibly aggressive.
High Prey Drive
Since this mix is of two breeds that were bred to chase, especially the Jack Russell terrier – they like to chase after little furry things.
Because of this, you will have to put in more time on training them to not chase and to come back when called.
To stay on the safe side, if your dachshund terrier mix has a naturally high prey drive, it is best not to get one if you have a cat or other pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs that are not kept securely away at all times.
They Like To Dig
Since both breeds have long histories of digging holes to get after small game such as rabbits and rats, it only makes sense that the instinct is still in them.
Unfortunately, this means that your flower bed might get dug up with dirty footprints leading you straight to the culprit.
There are two ways to work around this issue. The first thing you can do is make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise because digging can sometimes be due to boredom and frustration.
If they are nice and worn out then digging will be much lower on the list of things they feel like doing.
Another thing you can try is buying them a little children’s sandpit. You can either fill it with sand or dirt, but sand is better as it is easier to brush off of their feet before they come inside.
Burying valuable toys in the sandpit for them to dig up will be very rewarding for your dog because it will make them feel like they are doing the job that they were bred for.
This will also make the sandpit much more endearing than the flowerbed.
Summary
To summarize, this mixed breed can be the perfect addition to the family for a lot of people out there, but to others, they may not be the best fit.
Their personalities can vary greatly on their genetics and upbringing but as a general guide, you should not get this mixed breed if you do not have the time or experience available to train them not to bark, dig, or chase as these are the most common aspects of their personalities that are not favored by many owners.
Other than this, the dachshund terrier mix is a great companion if you love a daily walk and will appreciate the big personality that they carry around in a small, adorable package.
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