Bo-Jack (Boston Terrier & Jack Russell Terrier Mix): Info, Pictures, And Tips

Bo-Jack
Photo from @jack_918_s (IG)

Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier mix is commonly known as Bo-Jack. It is a small to medium-sized dog with a big personality.

He has a face of bulldog because of his ancestry and ears are point-shaped just like Boston Terrier. Jack Russel used to be a hunter while Boston Terrier was kept as a fighting dog.

Their offspring Bo-Jack is a sweet, gentle, and fun-loving dog with a bundle of energy. If you intend to buy one, then keep in mind that they need a lot of attention and exercise.

Bo-Jack Origin and History

Bo-Jack is a relatively new breed, and there is not a lot of information available about when and how its breeding started. To have an idea about a Bo-Jack personality, we can always have a look at its parents: Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier.

Boston Terrier was bred as a fighting dog in the 1800s. This breed is well-known as American Gentlemen because they were first produced in America and were very gentle. Boston Terrier was originated in Boston, hence the name.

Jack Russell Terrier used to be a hunting dog, and they originated in 1819. This breed got famous because of their hunting skills and was used for flushing out the foxes. The most important quality of Jack Russell Terrier was that they could flush the foxes without harming them. 

Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier Mix Info and Facts

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Appearance

The mix between Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier looks more like a Bulldog or a Boxer than a Terrier; it is because of their ancestry.

Their head is small and rounded, and they have a short or medium snout, just like a bulldog. Bo-Jacks have triangular ears which can be pointed or drooping. Usually, their eyes are as bigger as their smile.

Bo-Jacks have a stocked and muscular body with short legs and a long tail. Their coat is short and smooth with a plus of weatherproof. The coat can be in different colors such as white, tan, gold, brown, and black.

You are going to love their expressions if you decide to buy a Bo-Jack. His funny face is going to be a great addition to your home. 

Size and Weight

Bo-Jack can be a small to medium-sized dog. They can grow up to 9 to 16 inches in length. Keep in mind that they are going to be a little bit bigger than your average lap dogs but they make a perfect cuddly pet dog.

Their weight is similar to other small dog breeds out there so you can easily carry them.

There can be a big difference in the weights of males and females of Bo-Jack. The average males can weigh up to 25 pounds while females can weigh as little as 10 pounds.

Personality and Temperament

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If you are thinking of getting a Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier mix, then you should know that they have high energy and high needs.

Love and lots of time from you will be their weakness. The good news is they are easy to train and can be a suitable pet for first-time owners.

Bo-Jack is a sensitive and emotional dog. Their nature can make them upset on small things like a difference in your vocal sound. Never use harsh treatment of punishment for your dog.

If you often stay outside of the home because of work or any other reason, then Bo-Jack is not the dog for you. They are not suitable to be left alone in the house. They desire to be with people and might develop destructive or aggressive behavior if left alone for long periods.

Bo-Jack is an intelligent dog breed. A high level of curiousness is its quality. You might find them chasing small things and animals.

They look forward to learning about everything. It will be best if you start their training at a primary stage to control their habit of chasing things.

Bo-Jacks are incredibly loyal and always ready to please you but there is another side of Bo-Jack as well. Anxiety can occur in them if they are treated in a wrong way or left alone for long periods.

This anxiety will make them destructive. They will start to chew things and might jump on everything and everyone. Love, care, and proper training will help them get rid of such habits.

Make sure you fulfill their demands of high energy. They are extremely active and requires daily exercise and walks to keep them healthy and fit.

Bo-Jacks can be extremely friendly with children and love to play with them while they can be wary of strangers but will be happy to see familiar faces.

If you are looking for a protective dog, then they can be retained as guard dogs for their personality.

Lifespan

The Bo-Jack can live around 12 to 15 years on average. It is an average lifespan of small size dogs. But you can always get the most out of your dog’s life by taking care of his mental and physical health.

A proper and balanced diet with regular medical checkups will ensure a healthy life of your dog.

What the Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier Mix Needs?

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Bo-Jack is a lovely and full of energy dog. One thing for sure is that he requires your time and attention.

If you are planning to buy a Bo-Jack pup, then make sure to spend time with him. His training is quite easy but he needs a reasonable amount of time daily for exercise.

Training Requirements

Jack Russell Terrier and Boston Terrier mix is an intelligent dog. This dog can be easily trained as he is eager to learn and always wants to please its owner. However, there is an independent side of Bo-Jack as well that can make them stubborn at times.  

Bo-Jack requires a patient and focused trainer. An experienced owner is a plus but not necessary. You need to keep the training periods small and exciting to keep their attention. Their strong will can make them do things by their way.

Bo-Jack intelligence comes in handy when you are training them. They are a rapid learner and with the right approach, it can be a piece of cake to train them.

Positive reinforcements should be used wherever possible. You can always give treats to your dog as a reward, although Bo-Jack can be motivated by a game of fetching a ball and pulling a rope.

Their habit to wander and explore the world should be minimized by training. They are notorious for following their nose and can go to many places where they should not.

Introduce them to new situations, animals, and people from an early age to discourage the habit of running around. 

Tips To Train Your Bo-Jack

  • Bo-Jack is a quick learner. Their intelligence will help you to train them quickly.
  • Use treats and positive reinforcements as reward-based training.
  • Their training duration has to be kept small. Long training sessions can make them bore and lose interest.
  • Be patient while training; they can be independent and have a strong will, which can cause a problem in training.
  • They can be owned by first-time owners but should be focused and consistent with training.
  • Early socialization is required for a Bo-Jack to make him friendly towards strangers and small animals like cats.
  • You might want to get professional help if they develop a habit of barking or destroying stuff.

Exercise Requirements

Boston Terrier was initially used to be a fighter but nowadays, he is among the most popular pet dogs in the United States. Fortunately, there is no sign of aggression in them now.

Jack Russell Terrier can be hyper but is mostly fun and loveable. The Bo-Jack has the best part of personalities from parents. They are highly energetic and to keep them healthy, you must give a lot of time for their exercise.

Bo-Jack should go out for exercise at least twice a day. You can use interactive games to keep their mental and physical health in check.

They would love to play games with you. A simple ball throwing and fetching game can keep them busy for hours.

Bo-Jack should always be monitored around small animals when they are outside. It is good to put a leash on them. Their hunting genes from parents can make them chase away small animals or might hurt them. Socialization from an early age can fade out this trait.

The Bo-Jack should be given 60 minutes of exercise and activities daily. They should walk or run around 8 miles per week to maintain their mental and physical health in good shape.

Tips To Exercise Your Bo-Jack

  • Take them out for a walk every day or twice a day to keep them in good physical shape.
  • They love to play games, so get some interactive games to keep them occupied.
  • Their energy level is high, be ready to spend time on a day-to-day basis for this purpose.
  • Because of their hunting skill, they can chase small animals when outside. Put them on a leash if it is necessary.
  • Lack of exercise can make develop unwanted behavior in your Bo-Jack. Do not underestimate the importance of exercise.
  • Bo-Jack can easily gain weight if they are not given time to exercise. Obesity can develop many health risks in your Bo-Jack and is highly dangerous for their health.
  • If possible, give them a secured and fenced yard where they can run and play to burn their energy.

Space Requirements

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Jack Russell Terrier and Boston Terrier mix is a small to average-sized dog that does not need a big space. He can easily fit in a small house or an apartment.

All you need to do is to make sure that he gets his daily amount of exercise and activity. His level of energy level demands regular exercise to keep his mental and physical health in check.

If you can, provide your Bo-Jack with a yard to play and run. They will want to spend time there. Make the yard secured and fenced. There is a high chance that your Bo-Jack will wander and might run off to explore his surroundings.

It is never a decent idea to have your Bo-Jack caged or in a small space. They are a compassionate and emotional dog breed that can develop anxiety.

Living alone, not getting enough space, and lack of exercise can push them towards destructive behavior.

You do not want your dog to develop this as they will bark and destroy stuff by chewing them. Always make sure the happiness of your dog as it is in everybody’s interest.

Food Requirements

Bo-Jack needs around 1.5 cups of high-quality dog food per day. Keep in mind that his diet will change according to his age. You should adjust the sizes of his meals.

It is always best to get guidance from your vet. They will explain and recommend specific food requirements for your dog. Every dog is different and who knows your dog might need less or more food than average.

Giving them only high-quality dog food should be your priority. Dogs should never be given the food which is consumed by humans. They are not built like us and cannot digest everything that we eat.

Many people use human foodstuffs as a treat for the dog. This practice is highly dangerous and can be unsafe for your dog’s health.

There is a chance of obesity in your Bo-Jacks. You will need to monitor his diet to avoid this health risk. He should be given food over different times of the day.

You should never provide him with all the food at one time. Good quality dog food and daily exercise will minimize the risk of obesity in your dog.

Keep treats in hand for your Bo-Jack while training to keep him motivated and engaged. They should be used to retain the interest of your dog in training. Do not overfeed them. Always use treats in a moderate way to maintain good health.

Cleaning and Grooming Needs

Good news, Bo-Jack is a low maintenance dog breed that does not need professional grooming. Their coat is hard and short, which should be brushed with a wired brush or hard bristle once or twice a week.

This is to remove any loose hairs and keep the dirt off his coat. Brushing will spread the natural oils all over their coat.

Their coat is waterproof, and they do not need to be washed or bathed as often. It is best not to use shampoo too often on Bo-Jack.

They have natural oil in their coat, which is necessary to keep their skin and coat healthy, and shampoo will remove this natural oil.

Ears should be check and cleaned at least once per week. Any dirt should be removed and wiped off to keep bacteria away. Try to brush their teeth a few times a week. Nails should be clipped whenever necessary.

Pros and Cons of Jack Russell Terrier and Boston Terrier Mix

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Here we have some information about Bo-Jack that can help you to make up your mind if this dog breed is for you or not. Carefully read all the pros and cons of Bo-Jack; it might help you to make your decision.

Pros

  • Bo-Jack is adorable and one of the cutest dogs out there. Their facial expressions will melt your heart.
  • Their coat shedding is minimal and does not require a lot of time or effort on their grooming. Bo-Jack’s grooming can be done at home and does not need professional help.
  • They love to play and are great with kids and babies.
  • They are always looking to please their owners. They will make a perfect family dog.
  • Bo-Jack is always wary of strangers and will always alert you. They make a good watchdog.
  • Bo-Jack is extremely and loyal and affectionate towards his owner and family.
  • Bo-Jack does not need big space and can be kept in an apartment or inside the house.
  • They are the right breed for first-time owners. However, their independent nature can cause some problems in training.

Cons

  • They are extremely active dogs and require a good amount of your time for exercise and activities.
  • They are highly sensitive and emotional. Bo-Jack can get upset with small things.
  • Their digging habit might not be good news for you. They love to dig when they are out in the yard or outside.
  • They can chase small animals especially cats because of their hunting genes.
  • Bo-Jack should not be left alone for most of the time. They can develop separation anxiety and become aggressive and destructive.
  • They can gain weight because of poor diet or lack of exercise.
  • Bo-Jack can develop a habit of jumping on everything and everyone. Training is required to stop this behavior.

Prices and Expenses of Bo-Jack

Bo-Jack is a perfect dog if you look at the price only. It is an easily affordable dog and your wallet will not take a hit because of this dog.

If you adopt your dog from a shelter house, then it will cost you a minimum fee which they usually charge. It might be hard to find Bo-Jack in a shelter house as it is a relatively new breed.

If you are thinking of getting a Bo-Jack from a dog breeder, then it will cost between $300 and $500. It is exceptionally cheap, even for a mixed breed.

Jack Russell Terrier can cost you between $500 and $800 while Boston Terrier will be around $600 to $900. Bo-Jack makes a great alternative to those purebred dogs. High-quality dog food for Bo-Jack should cost you around $30 to $50 per month.

Always keep in mind the expense of grooming and cleaning. You will also pay charges for vaccination and some regular visits to the vet. Do not try to save money on your dog’s food or cleaning stuff.

He would be one who will suffer from cheap and low-quality products. Make sure you take care of him just like a family member.

How and Where to Get One?

Always try to find a pup or dog in shelter houses. This is the best way to get a dog as you will get a pre-trained and home ready dog in most cases, and the dog will get home and family. It is a win-win situation for everybody.

You will not have to pay a hefty bill as shelter houses typically charge a small adoption fee of around $200 to $600.

Secondly, you can always look for local breeders. Make sure you check the references before you buy a dog from a breeder. Your breeder must provide a health history of dogs involved in the process of breeding.

Try to meet one of the parents of the pup to get an idea about their personality and temperament. If you are unable to find dog breeders in your area, then check with your vet. He might provide you some recommendations.

One more thing before you buy a dog is to check its history. Ask your dog breeder if any of the parent dogs have been used as a fighting dog. If one of the parents was used in fighting, then the offspring will definitely have an aggressive nature.

You might want to check if the breeder has enough knowledge in breeding dogs. Check if he provides dogs with enough space and cleanliness.

Common Health Issues of Bo-Jack

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When it comes to Bo-Jack, there is not a lot of data available about its health risks. But we can always make an educated guess by looking at its parents.

If your Bo-Jack inherits its genes mostly from Boston Terrier, then he might be prone to heatstroke. You might have to provide greater care for him in extreme temperatures.

Your Bo-Jack might develop some eyes problem because of the appearance of their eyes.

Here are a few other health threats your Bo-Jack might face in his lifetime:

  • Deafness
  • Eye Disease
  • Eye proptosis
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Respiratory problems
  • Skin infection in face wrinkles

Always be assured that your dog is vaccinated, and if you sense something unusual, then take your dog to the vet immediately.

While you cannot guarantee a perfect life for your dog, keeping his mental and physical health in order might protect him from numerous health risks.

Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier Mix Breeding Process

Boston Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier are both small in size. Their breeding could be done either by natural way or canine artificial insemination.

Don’t forget to make sure that both parent dogs are purebred. Only purebred dogs can ensure the personality and temperament in the offspring from parents.

The medical history should also be check before breeding dogs to be satisfied that they do not have any disease which can transfer to the pup.

Breeding through the natural way can be done when the female dog is in heat. A female dog can be in heat twice a year, and it is the time when breeding can be started.

Bloody discharge and swollen retinal area are key signs for a female to be in heat. A male dog will always get aroused and attracted to females at this time.

If the female dog is ready, she will let the male dog mount her. Otherwise, she will try to hit the male dog to push him away.

There is a chance for male dogs to be hurt in this process, and they should always be closely monitored. A female dog’s heat can last from 9 to 11 days. In this stage, the breeding process can be started.

Breeding dogs is not for everybody and should be done only by the vets or experienced dog breeders. If you are thinking of breeding a dog by yourself, then you should get help. It is a complex process that involves a lot of consideration and care.

Final Thoughts

Bo-Jack is an excellent dog with a lovely personality. It rarely creates a problem for first-time owners. Bo-Jack is a cost-effective dog and makes a perfect family pet with children and the elderly.

There might be some needs of Bo-Jack that you should fulfill such as providing love, attention, and enough daily physical activities.

They will be destructive if you leave them on their own for most of the day. Overall they are easy to train and adorable.

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