Jackapoo

The Jackapoo is a newcomer to the dog scene and for the moment they are not recognised by any of the major international breed organisations which includes The Kennel Club. They were developed by crossing a Poodle with a Jack Russell Terrier and as such Jackapoos may inherit some of both their parent breed's characteristics and traits. However it is luck of the draw as to how puppies turn out especially when they are first generation. With this said Jackapoos are known to be wonderful companions and family pets thanks to their charming looks and their loyal tenacious playful and affectionate natures.

They are a good choice for first time dog owners because Jackapoos are highly intelligent easy to train and they love to please. They are also known to be good around children which is why they have become popular family pets. However having “terrier” in their lineage Jackapoos have a high prey drive and as such care should always be taken when they are around pets and other animals they don’t already know.

The Jackapoo first appeared on the scene around twenty years or so ago when breeders decided to cross two pedigree breeds namely the Jack Russell Terrier and the Miniature or Toy Poodle. First generation puppies can inherit any of their parent breed characteristics and traits which in short means that puppies from the same litter can look very different to each other.

Because the Jackapoo is such a new hybrid more time is needed to see how the breed turns out in the future. They are not recognised by any of the major international breed organisations but fortunately local breed clubs have been set up in many countries with an end goal being to make sure Jackapoos are bred responsibly so they remain healthy and good-natured dogs.

Anyone wishing to share their home with a Jackapoo should research both parent breeds namely the Miniature or Toy Poodle and the Jack Russell Terrier in order to understand what kind of temperament a Jackapoo might have. When it comes to looks it really does depend on the parent breeds as to how a puppy may turn out and whether they look more like a Poodle with a curly coat or if they bear more of a resemblance to a Jack Russell Terrier with a wiry coat. Today the Jackapoo has made a mark on the dog world and have found their way into the hearts and home of many people thanks to their sweet natures and charming looks.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Jackapoo a vulnerable breed? No they have fast become one of the more popular hybrid dogs in the UK and the rest of the world
• Although not Kennel Club registered there are other organisation where owners can register their Jackapoos
• Jackapoos are renowned for being gentle and charismatic dogs by nature
• They are extremely clever and learn new tricks quickly which includes things like walking on their back legs
• Well-bred first generation Jackapoos tend to be healthier than second and other generation dogs
• They have inherited their prey drive from the Jack Russell and will go off hunting whenever they get the chance
• Gardens have to be ultra-secure to keep a Jackapoo safely in

Height at the withers: Males 25.4 - 38.1 cm Females 25.4 - 38.1 cm

Average weight: Males 5.89 - 11.33 kg Females 5.89 - 11.33 kg

The Jackapoo being a cross between a Miniature or Toy Poodle and a Jack Russell Terrier can inherit either of their parent's looks. In first generation crosses puppies in the same litter can look very different to each other with some of them throwing more to the Poodle whereas others look more like Jack Russells. However in general they are small to medium size dogs that boast having flat heads with moderately large ears that fall forwards. Their eyes are set nicely apart on the head with dogs always having a keen alert expression in them which is a trait inherited from their terrier and Poodle ancestry. They have compact well-muscled bodies with strong muscular legs and neat strong paws with firm pads and tough nails. Some Jackapoos have longer legs than others but whether short or long dogs have well-muscled strong front and back legs.

When it comes to their coats the Jackapoo can boast having a coarse or smooth coat that can be wavy or curly and short depending on which of their parents they have thrown to. The most common coat colours seen in the Jackapoos include the following:

• Black
• Tan
• White
• Blue
• Chocolate
• Brown
• Cream
• Golden
• Silver
• Grey

Gait/movement

When a Jackapoo moves they do so with great purposed and determination covering a lot of ground when they do. They have a bouncy gay gait with dogs always being on the alert and ready to chase anything that moves.

Faults

Responsible breeders would only use healthy parent dogs when breeding Jackapoos and would avoid using any dog with a bad conformation or one that is too small which could result in puppies suffering from health issues associated with bad conformation and size.

Males should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and tails must not be docked unless for medical reasons and the correct documentation has been provided by a qualified vet.

The Jackapoo has fast become known an being an excellent companion and family pet thanks to their kind albeit energetic natures. They are good all-rounders being great with children and other dogs more especially if they have been correctly socialised from a young enough age. The Jackapoo is also highly adaptable and is just as happy living in the country as they are living in an apartment as long as they are given enough mental stimulation and daily exercise that is.

Because of the "terrier" in them they are best suited to people who are familiar with the needs of a very energetic and clever dog because Jackapoos must be given a ton of daily exercise and they need to know who is boss in a household or they can quickly become unruly and that much harder to handle. They love being in a family environment and enjoy being included in everything that goes on around them. They form strong bonds with their owners and don't particularly like being left on their own for any length of time.

As such they are best suited to families where the children are slightly older and where one person usually stays at home when everyone else is out of the house. They are definitely more suited to people who lead active outdoor lives and who would like a smart energetic dog at their side. Once tired a Jackapoo is just as happy to relax on a sofa cuddled up next to an owner but only after having been given a ton of exercise.

They are loyal loving and enjoy taking part in lots of activities however Jackapoos are also known to have a bit of a stubborn streak in them which can make training them more of a challenge. They do tend to like the sound of their own voices which is a trait that needs to be gently curbed when dogs are still young so it does not turn into a real problem later especially if there are neighbours close by.

It's very important for these dogs to be well socialised from a young age so they grow up to be confident outgoing mature dogs. Their socialisation must include introducing them to lots of new situations noises people other animals and dogs once they have been fully vaccinated. It's also crucial for their training to start early too and it must be consistent throughout a dog's life. A Jackapoo is never happier than when they know their place in the pack and who they can look to for direction and guidance. If they don't know who is the alpha dog in a household they may quickly take on the role of dominant dog which can make them harder to live with and handle.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Jackapoos are the perfect choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and people-oriented loving nothing more than to please and to entertain their families. They are highly intelligent having inherited their "cleverness" from their parent breeds which means they are easy to train and quick to pick things up with the downside being Jackapoos are just as quick to pick up bad habits too.

What about prey drive?

Jackapoos are very social by nature but they have working and hunting dogs in their lineage which means they have a high prey drive. As such care should be taken whenever they are around smaller animals and pets they don't already know because the Jack Russell in them could well see them as "fair game" with disastrous results.

What about playfulness?

Jackapoos have a very playful and mischievous side to their natures. They love to entertain and be entertained which makes them all the more endearing to live with. Being such clever little dogs Jackapoos are quick to learn what pleases their owners but the naughty side to their personalities also means they are just as fast when it comes to testing any limits and ground rules that have been set just to see what they can get away with and for the fun of it.

What about adaptability?

Jackapoos are highly adaptable dogs and providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in they are just as happy living in an apartment as they are living in a house in the country although like most dogs they like roaming around a secure back garden whenever they can so they can really let off steam and get rid of all that pent up energy.

What about separation anxiety?

Jackapoos form strong ties with their families and dogs are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog's way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained. It can also lead to a Jackapoo barking incessantly to get attention.

What about excessive barking?

A lot of Jackapoos like the sound of their own voices a little too much which is something that needs to be gently nipped in the bud when a dog is still young being careful not to frighten them. Others will only bark when there are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on in their surroundings. However they are known to bark just for the sake of it although any dog that's left on their own for any length of time might take to barking incessantly as a way of getting attention.

Do Jackapoos like water?

Most Jackapoos like swimming and will take to the water whenever they can more especially when the weather is hot. However if anyone who owns a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them. With this said care should always be taken when walking a Jackapoo off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in and then needs rescuing.

Are Jackapoos good watchdogs?

Jackapoos having Jack Russell in them are good watchdogs and will quickly let an owner know when they are strangers about and when something they don't like is going on in their environment. With this said they would rarely show any aggressive behaviour but rather bark incessantly as a way of alerting their owners to a problem.

The Jackapoo has inherited their intelligence from both their parent breeds and they excel at all sorts of canine activities which includes flyball obedience and agility. However as previously mentioned they are known to have a stubborn streak in them when the mood takes them and can be quick to turn a deaf ear to a command which is why their training must be consistent right from the word go and why particular attention should be paid to the “recall” command.

The Jackapoo is a smart dog and a fast learner. The downside to this is they are just as quick to pick up bad habits as they are the good. As such their training must begin early and it must be consistent and always fair throughout a dog’s life so they understand what's expected of them. Jackapoos like being kept busy which is why they are so amenable to learning new things and why they enjoy taking part in canine sporting activities especially as they get lots of one-to-one contact with their owners when they are being trained and when they’re taking part in competitions.

The key to successfully training a Jackapoo is to make things interesting as possible and to avoid too much repetition. It's also a good idea to keep training sessions short which helps dogs stay more focussed on what it’s being asked of them bearing in mind that the more intelligent a dog is the faster they get bored bearing in mind that Jackapoos are extremely smart dogs.

They do not answer well to harsh correction or any sort of heavy handed training methods but they do respond extremely well to positive reinforcement which always brings the best out of these intelligent and quick-witted dogs especially when there are high value rewards involved. However it’s important not to give too many food rewards because Jackapoos are prone to putting on weight far too easily which could have a serious impact on their overall health and wellbeing.

Jackapoo puppies are incredibly cute and it is all too easy to spoil them which could lead to dogs developing small dog syndrome making them harder to live with because they are wilful and unruly. All puppies need limits and ground rules set out for them so they understand what is expected of them and their place in the "pack". The first commands a puppy should be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Jackapoos are known to be good around children thanks to their affectionate and playful natures. However any interaction between toddlers and a dog should always be well supervised by an adult to make sure playtime does not get too boisterous which could end up with someone being knocked over albeit by accident.

When dogs have been well socialised from a young enough age they generally get on well with other dogs they meet and if they have grown up with a family cat in a household they usually get on well together. However a Jackapoo would more than likely chase off any other cats they encounter in their environment. Care should be taken when they are around any smaller animals and pets because of the “terrier” in them.

The average life expectancy of a Jackapoo is between 12 and 15 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

The Jackapoo although generally healthy they are known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which are worth knowing about if you are planning share your home with one of these charming energetic dogs. The conditions that seem to affect the Jackapoos parent breeds and which a puppy might inherit include the following:

Jack Russell

• Deafness
• Late Onset Ataxia – DNA test available
• Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) sometimes referred to as Ectopia Lentis – DNA test available
• Canine Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) – DNA test available
• Posterior luxation
• Anterior luxation
• Patellar luxation
• Arthritis
• Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome which is sometimes referred to an Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head which typically affects dogs between the ages of 6 and 12 months old
• Cataracts

Miniature Poodle

• Addison's Disease - a condition that negatively impacts a dog's adrenal glands
• Cushing's Syndrome - a condition where a dog's adrenal glands overproduce cortisol
• Thyroid disease
• Chronic active hepatitis - a liver disorder
• Seizures - idiopathic epilepsy
• Hip dysplasia - test available
• Hypothyroidism
• Von Willebrand's disease - DNA test available
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Patellar luxation
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) - test available
• Achondroplasia
• Dental issues

Toy Poodle

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Distichiasis
• Hyperadrenocorticism
• In-growing eye lashes
• Epilepsy
• Legge Perthes disease
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) – Breeders should have stud dogs DNA tested
• Von Willebrands Disease (vWD) Type 1 - test available
• Ear problems
• Skin tumours
• Cataracts
• Cushing’s disease
• Bladder stones

What about vaccinations?

Jackapoo puppies would have been given their initial vaccinations before being sold but it is up to their new owners to make sure they have their follow-up shots in a timely manner with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A lot of vets these days recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them which means they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old but never any earlier unless for medical reasons. With this said many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

What about obesity problems?

Some Jackapoos gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered and it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline just in case they do. If a dog starts to put on weight it's important to adjust their daily calorie intake and to up the amount of exercise they are given. Older Jackapoos too are more prone to gaining weight and again it's essential they be fed and exercised accordingly because obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. The reason being that it puts a lot of extra strain on a dog's internal organs including the heart.

What about allergies?

Jackapoos are prone to suffering from allergies and it's important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if one flares up. Allergies can be notoriously hard to clear up and finding the triggers can be challenging. With this said a vet would be able to make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while they try to find out the triggers which could include the following:

• Certain foods that contain high levels of cereals
• Airborne pollens
• Dust mites
• Environment
• Flea and tick bites
• Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

Participating in health schemes

All responsible Jackapoo breeders would ensure that their stud dogs are tested for known hereditary and congenital health issues known to affect the breed by using the following schemes:

• Jack Russells - Late Onset Ataxia (LOA) – DNA test available Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) – DNA test available Canine Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) – DNA test available
• Miniature Poodles - Hip scoring for hip dysplasia Eye testing under the BVA/KC eye scheme which includes DNA testing for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and optic nerve hypoplasia DNA test for Von Willebrand's disease
• Toy Poodles - BVA Eye Scheme BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme Breed Club test - Sebaceous adenitis DNA test - vWD

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

The Jackapoo is not Kennel Club registered as such there are no breed specific breeding restrictions in place. However responsible breeders would ensure they only use health tested dogs in their breeding programmes to reduce the risk of puppies developing health issues associated with parent breeds.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

There are no Assured breeder requirements in place because the Jackapoo is not recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club.

Jackapoos need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for aJackapoo puppy

Jackapoo puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother the better although it should never be for too long either.

It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.

The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

• Puppies should be wormed at 6 months old
• They need to be wormed again when they are 8 months old
• Puppies should be wormed when they are 10 months old
• They need to be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you'll need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a Jackapoo puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore as follows:

• Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
• A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
• Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
• Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
• A well-made dog collar or harness
• A couple of strong dog leads
• A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home that's large enough for a puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise including Jackapoo puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out.

Keeping vet appointments

As previously mentioned Jackapoo puppies would have been given their first vaccinations by the breeders but they must have their follow up shots which is up to their new owners to organise. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However if a dog ever needed to go into kennels their vaccinations would need to be

What about older Jackapoo when they reach their senior years?

Older Jackapoos need lots of special care because as they reach their golden years they are more at risk of developing certain health concerns. Physically a dog's muzzle may start to go grey but there will be other noticeable changes too which includes the following:

• Coats become coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• Jackapoos can either become overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• Immune systems do not work as efficiently as they once did which means dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs change mentally too which means their response time tends to be slower as such they develop the following:

• They respond less to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a little pickier about their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog can feel disorientated

Living with a Jackapoo in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities but these are easily managed and should include taking a look at their diet the amount of exercise they are given how often their dog beds need changing and keeping an eye on the condition of their teeth.

Older Jackapoos need to be fed a good quality diet that meets their needs at this stage of their lives all the while keeping a close eye on a dog's weight. A rough feeding guide for older dogs is as follows bearing in mind they should be fed highly digestible food that does not contain any additives:

• Protein content should be anything from 14 – 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• Fibre content should be less than 4%
• Calcium content should be 0.5 – 0.8%
• Phosphorous content should be 0.4 – 0.7%
• Sodium content should be 0.2 – 0.4%

Older Jackapoos don't need to be given the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years because they are more at risk of developing kidney disorders.

Jackapoos usually boast having short close lying coats and as such they are low maintenance on the grooming front. A twice weekly brush is all it takes to keep their coats in good condition with a nice sheen on it. However many owners have their dogs professionally clipped which makes it easier to keep their dog’s coats tidy and looking good. They shed steadily throughout the year only more so during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent grooming is usually necessary to stay on top of things and to remove dead and shed hair from a dog's coat.

It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax builds up it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short prevention is often easier than cure with ear infections.

The Jackapoo is energetic and highly intelligent as such they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation for them to be truly happy well-rounded dogs. They need at least 40 to 60-minutes exercise a day with as much off the lead time as possible in a safe environment. If they are not given the right amount of mental stimulation and exercise every day a Jackapoo would quickly get bored and could even begin to show some destructive behaviours around the home which is their way of relieving any stress they are feeling and not necessarily because they are being naughty.

A shorter walk in the morning would be fine but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must with as much off the lead time as possible. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden so they can really let off steam. However the fencing must be extremely secure to keep these active high-energy dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence they will soon escape and could get into all sorts of trouble.

With this said puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing. This includes not letting a dog jump up and down from furniture or going up or down the stairs. Too much pressure placed on their joints and spines at an early age could result in a dog developing serious problems later in their lives.

If you get a Jackapoo puppy from a breeder they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy eaters but this does not mean they can be given a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day once in the morning and then again in the evening making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go and Jackapoos are prone to putting on weight far too easily.

Feeding guide for a Jackapoo puppy

Puppies need to be fed a highly nutritious good quality diet for them to develop and grow as they should. As a rough guide a Jackapoo puppy can be fed the following amounts every day making sure their meals are evenly spread out throughout the day and it's best to feed them 3 or 4 times a day:

• 2 months old - 66 g to 152 g depending on a puppy's build
• 3 months old - 75 g to 179 g depending on a puppy's build
• 4 months old - 78 g to 190 g depending on a puppy's build
• 5 months old - 78 g to 193 g depending on a puppy's build
• 6 months old - 71 g to 193 g depending on a puppy's build
• 7 months old - 64 g to 174 g depending on a puppy's build
• 8 months old - 56 g to 156 g depending on a puppy's build
• 9 months old - 56 g to 139 g depending on a puppy's build
• 10 months old - 55 g to 138 g depending on a puppy’s build

Once a puppy is 11 months old they can be fed adult dog food.

Feeding guide for an adult Jackapoo

Once fully mature an adult Jackapoo must be fed a good quality diet to ensure their continued good health. As a rough guide an adult Jackapoo can be fed the following amounts every day:

• Dogs weighing 5 kg can be fed 80g to 122g depending on a dog’s activity
• Dogs weighing 6 kg can be fed 92g to 140g depending on a dog’s activity
• Dogs weighing 8 kg can be fed 114g to 174g depending on a dog’s activity
• Dogs weighing 10 kg can be fed 135g to 206g depending on a dog’s activity
• Dogs weighing 11 kg can be fed 186g to 275g depending on a dog's activity

If you are looking to buy a Jackapoo you would need to pay anything from £250 to over £500 for a well-bred puppy. The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Jackapoo in northern England would be £19.26 a month for basic cover but for a lifetime policy this would set you back £42.41 a month (quote as of November 2017). When insurance companies calculate a pet's premium they factor in several things which includes where you live in the UK a dog's age and whether they have been neutered or spayed among other things.

When it comes to food costs you need to buy the best quality food whether wet or dry making sure it suits the different stages of a dog’s life. This would set you back between £15 - £20 a month. On top of this you need to factor in veterinary costs if you want to share your home with a Jackapoo and this includes their initial vaccinations their annual boosters the cost of neutering or spaying a dog when the time is right and their yearly health checks all of which quickly adds up to over £700 a year.

As a rough guide the average cost to keep and care for a Jackapoo would be between £40 to £70 a month depending on the level of insurance cover you opt to buy for your dog but this does not include the initial cost of buying a well-bred puppy bred from health tested parent dogs.

When visiting and buying any puppy or dog there are many important things to consider and questions to ask of the breeder/seller. You can read our generic puppy/dog advice here which includes making sure you see the puppy with its mother and to verify that the dog has been wormed and microchipped.

Jackapoos are a very popular breed both in the UK and elsewhere in the world which means that well-bred puppies command a lot of money. As such with Jackapoos there is specific advice questions and protocols to follow when buying a puppy which are as follows:

• Beware of online scams and how to avoid them. You may see online and other adverts by scammers showing images of beautiful Jackapoopuppies for sale at very low prices. However the sellers ask buyers for money up front before agreeing to deliver a puppy to a new home. Potential buyers should never buy a puppy unseen and should never pay a deposit or any other money online to a seller. You should always visit the pet at the sellers home to confirm they are genuine and make a note of their address.
• As previously touched upon Jackapoos have become one of the more most popular breeds in the UK. As such there are many amateur breeders/people who breed from Jackapoo bitch far too often so they can make a quick profit without caring for the welfare of the puppies their dam or the breed in general. Under Kennel Club rules a dam can only produce 4 litters and she must be between a certain age to do so. Anyone wishing to buy a Jackapoo puppy should think very carefully about who they purchase their puppy from and should always ask to see the relevant paperwork pertaining to a puppy's lineage their vaccinations and their microchipping
• Prospective Jackapoo owners should be very careful when considering buying an extra small puppy because all too often they suffer from very serious health issues and no responsible breeder would purposefully breed dogs so they are too small and should always ask to see parent dog's lineage and the results of health tests