The Jacktese is a friendly, lively combination of the Jack Russell and Maltese breeds. It is a hybrid breed, which means it is not recognized by kennel clubs or fancier associations, and it is quite a rare find. However, this mixed breed makes a good pet choice for active owners who want a dog to take with them on adventures but also that will be loyal and affectionate.
The Jack Russell and Maltese are quite different characters, which means that the hybrid can lean towards one or the other or, more likely, it will adopt some characteristics of both parent breeds.
Read on to find out whether the Jack Russell Terrier Maltese Mix is the right choice of dog for you and your circumstances.
Height:
10 – 16 inches
Weight:
12 – 18 pounds
Lifespan:
10 – 12 years
Colors:
White, black, brown
Suitable for:
Active owners who want a loyal dog
Temperament:
Loyal, affectionate, lively, fun, energetic
The Jacktese is a Jack Russell Terrier Maltese mix. As with any mix, it is difficult to predict which parent breed the resulting hybrid dog will be more like. It could be a carefree and affectionate Maltese or a lively, energetic, and somewhat headstrong Jack Russell. Similarly, the dog might have the short wiry coat of the Jack Russell or the smooth, medium-length coat of the Maltese.
Both parent breeds make good pets for the right owners, but they are different, and it is difficult to predict exactly what kind of dog you will get from this hybrid.
Jacktese Breed Characteristics
Jacktese Puppies
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The Jacktese is a hybrid breed. It is not officially recognized which means it is not an expensive breed to buy, but it also means that it can be difficult to locate breeders that have Jacktese puppies. When speaking to potential breeders, ask what generation the Jacktese is.
First generation means that the puppy has been bred directly from Jack Russell and Maltese parents. Second generation means that it has been bred from two first-generation Jacktese parents, or one Jacktese parent and either a Maltese or Jack Russell.
Meet the puppy and try to meet at least the mother before you buy. The puppy will rely on its mother for early social and behavioral cues, so you can learn a lot about the puppy’s potential characteristics by meeting the mother. The puppy itself should be alert and interested when you meet it, rather than nervous and hiding away.
Because this is a mix rather than a purebred dog, you may find Jack Russell Terrier Maltese mixes in shelters. Adopting is always encouraged, but it can be difficult to get an accurate history or exact details of the dog, which does deter some potential owners. If you are adopting, meet the dog a couple of times before you formally agree to adopt. If you have other dogs, try and have them meet the Jacktese before you take them home. It is possible to slowly introduce most dogs, but there may be some cases where the dogs do not get along at all.
Image Credit: Left: (Jack Russell ) Anna Pozzi – Zoophotos, Shutterstock Right: (Maltese) michaelheim, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Jacktese
This hybrid could take on some or all of the temperament traits of either parent breed. Or, more likely, it will fall somewhere between the two breeds.
The Jack Russell is a plucky, lively, adventurous dog. It is highly alert and always looking around for something to chase. It loves to play and wants to do everything its owner does, especially if that involves getting out and about. The Jack Russell is not usually a good choice of dog breed for inactive owners. As well as being energetic, the Jack Russell is a loyal breed. It can be a bit yappy, however, so while its size is well suited to living in an apartment, the noise may mean this isn’t practical.
The Maltese is a lively dog, although not as energetic as the Jack Russell. The breed is a companion dog and this is obvious in the way that the Maltese greets everybody. It is friendly and sociable and gets along with people and other animals.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑🧑🧒
The Jacktese can be a very good family dog. It will enjoy going on adventures with the whole family and will always be up for a game with the children. When it is time to settle down, the Maltese means that the Jacktese could turn into a lap dog that just wants to curl up and sleep on its owner’s lap.
This is a small breed, however, and you will need to teach children not to grab and not to handle the dog too aggressively or it could cause injury.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Both parent breeds tend to get along with other dogs, although the Jack Russell is said to have small dog syndrome, which means that it will take on much bigger dogs if it feels threatened or fancies a challenge.
The Jack Russell can get along with cats, but it should never be left around smaller animals. The Jack Russell has a very strong prey drive which means it will attempt to hunt smaller animals. The Maltese is less likely to give chase, however, so it does depend on which parent breed your Jacktese takes after.
When introducing a Jacktese to any existing pets, make the introductions gradually. Take things slowly. If you are introducing dogs, take them out for a leashed walk first. When you do introduce them in the house, make it a short meeting and keep them both restrained.
If you are introducing your Jacktese to a cat, put up a stair gate and let them meet on opposite sides. When the cat investigates, it will give them both a chance to smell one another and get used to the other’s presence before they finally meet nose to nose.
Things to Know When Owning a Jacktese:
The Jacktese may take after the high-octane Jack Russell or the more sedate Maltese. In any case, it can make an ideal pet for the right owner, but it does take some care and maintenance to ensure it stays fit, healthy, and happy.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
You can give commercial dog food to a Jacktese, which means feeding either dry or canned food, or a combination of both. If feeding dry food, expect to feed around 1.5 cups of kibble per day. You may need to feed slightly more or less than this according to activity level, weight of the dog, and other factors.
If feeding wet food, follow the feeding instructions on the packaging. If your vet has recommended feeding a certain food or a certain amount of food, always follow these guidelines above any others.
Obesity and excessive weight can be major problems for dogs, so whether you feed dry food, wet food, or a combination, ensure you don’t overfeed. Consider the treats you give and reduce the amount of food you give accordingly, as well.
Your dog should always be given unfettered and unrestricted access to fresh drinking water.
Exercise 🐕
Both parent breeds are lively, although the Jack Russell is even more energetic and demanding of exercise than the Maltese. All dogs need exercise and although these are small dogs, you should expect to give at least one hour of walks per day, and ideally 90 minutes or more. From the Jack Russell’s perspective, you should take it everywhere you go to give it the opportunity to exercise physically and mentally.
The energy levels of the breed mean that it can do very well in some canine sports, including agility.
Training 🎾
Both parent breeds are considered reasonably intelligent. But, while the Maltese will generally do what it can to please its owner, the Jack Russell is more headstrong and stubborn. It is still a trainable breed, but these characteristics mean you will have to be especially persistent and consistent with your training efforts.
Sign up for puppy classes. They teach some basic commands but, more importantly, they show you how to effectively train your dog. They also provide you with a safe and sympathetic environment where you can work with your dog around other dogs. Training your dog at home is a good way to get the basic commands down, but when you take the dog out in the real world surrounded by distractions, training is very different. Puppy classes offer some of the distractions to help you both learn.
Jack Russells are naturally yappy dogs, so one of the first things you will want to teach the breed is to shush. However, it is a natural reaction to certain situations so you may never be able to stop your dog from barking completely.
Puppy classes are also a good way to start socializing a young dog. Socialization is important, It teaches dogs that they do not need to fear new situations. It also introduces them to different groups of people and different animals so they won’t be nervous or reactive when they encounter them later in life.
Grooming ✂️
Your Jacktese can either have the short, coarse coat of the Jack Russell or the medium, smooth coat of the Maltese. The Jack Russell doesn’t really require much in the way of grooming although it may need the occasional bath, especially if your Jack Russell likes to swim in rivers and wade in puddles. The Maltese does require some regular brushing, so if your Jacktese has the Maltese coat, aim to brush two or three times a week to prevent the coat from getting matted and uncomfortable.
Trim nails when you can hear them clicking on hard floors. This will usually occur every 2 months. If your dog walks on concrete and other abrasive surfaces, it may not need its claws trimmed as often. If it only gets out on grass, nails may need cutting more frequently.
You will also need to brush your dog’s teeth. You should do this at least three times a week, but ideally every day. Dental disease is very common in dogs, and it can lead to pain and make eating difficult if the teeth are not cared for properly.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Jacktese is a generally healthy dog, but it may be prone to some of the hereditary conditions of either parent breed.
Minor Conditions
Hydrocephalus
Dental Disease
Shaker Dog Syndrome
Serious Conditions
Obesity
Patellar Luxation
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Epilepsy
Male vs Female
Male dogs tend to grow a little bigger and heavier than females, and certainly, in the case of the Jack Russell, the male can be more difficult to manage. The female tends to be more level-headed, but still has a high prey drive and may be looking for ways to escape the yard. However, training and individual characteristics play a more significant role in the temperament of a dog.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Jacktese
1. They Go By a lot of Different Names
Hybrid breeds often have different names, with most being a combination of the two parent breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier Maltese Mix is called the Jacktese but may also be known as the Jack Malt, MalJack, Jackatese, Maltejack, or Maltijack.
2. The Maltese Is One of the Smallest Breeds
The Maltese belongs to the toy dog group, which is the smallest category of dog breeds. It grows to a height of 15 inches and a weight of around 15 pounds. Crossing it with the Jack Russell means that the Jacktese will grow a little bigger than the Maltese, but it is still a small breed. Your Jacktese might reach 18 pounds and 16 inches. The exact size the dog reaches depends on whether it has the physical characteristics of the Jack Russell or the Maltese.
3. They Have a Strong Prey Drive
Jack Russells are excellent ratters. They were bred to locate rats and then hunt them. The hunt would take them through buildings, down alleys, and even into tight holes and spaces. This is why Jack Russells are such keen and skilled diggers and is also why they have such a high prey drive.
Although dogs and even cats tend to be safe from the hunting instinct because they are too large to remind the Jack Russel of rats, smaller animals are at risk.
Final Thoughts
The Jacktese combines two popular dog breeds in the Jack Russell Terrier and the Maltese. The resulting hybrid is a small breed but it will be full of energy and enjoy spending time outdoors exercising. It makes a good pet for adventurous and active families, but it will also enjoy spending time at home in the evening.
The Jacktese is a reasonably intelligent dog but if it has the headstrong temperament of the Jack Russell, it can prove more challenging to train. Be persistent, start when the dog is young, and try to turn training sessions into fun games to ensure good training. Ensure you master recall and consider teaching the shush command, especially if you live close to neighbors.
The Jacktese will get along with human and animal family members, although shouldn’t be left with small animals because of their high prey drive.
Featured Image Credit: Left: (Jack Russell ) Kimrawicz, Shutterstock Right: (Maltese) David Herraez Calzada, Shutterstock
