The Blue Heeler has become a very popular breeding dog when creating fascinating new mixes.
For example, some breeders are now setting it up with the Jack Russell to make a cute, fun-sized dog that may fit into many lifestyles.
Understanding more about these different options should help you choose the right dog for your needs and get the best results when raising them.
Appearance
The Blue Heeler Jack Russell Mix should typically look like either, such as the rather small Jack Russell or the more medium-sized Blue Heeler.
Some may end up a little between the two, with looks, shapes, and sizes that mirror both.
For example, you might end up with a Cattlejack (this mixes nickname) with a rather compact, Jack-Russell-style body with a Blue Heeler tail and head.
Similarly, you might end up with the perked ears of the Jack Russell or the dropped ears of the Blue Heeler, depending on the parents and their genetic predisposition.
For example, if the Blue Heeler parent tends to have more aggressive genes, their look may be more prominent in the Cattlejack result.
One thing that’s nice is that both dogs have a double-coat, creating some consistency there.
A double-coat includes a shorter and more water-resistant outer coat and an inner coat with a finer and more dense interior.
However, there may also be some Cattlejacks with a broken coat or a smooth and rough coat that is a bit more like the Jack Russell.
Both should provide your Cattlejack with a nice style and look and produce an attractive overall style.
Coat Coloring
So, while a Cattlejack may combine different elements of the Jack Russell and Blue Heeler to create a rather cute (and unpredictably shaped) dog, their colors are often pretty specific.
It all depends on the parents, as the Cattlejack is likely to grab or share features from both of these breeds.
It’s not surprising to see an all-white Cattlejack, though this should be a concern: we’ll address this later.
It’s also not unusual to get a white and black, white and tan, or even tricolor style from a Cattlejack.
Again, it is important to pay attention to the parent dogs to get an idea of what to expect.
If the parents have fairly similar coats, you can expect a pretty consistent puppy.
However, there may be lingering coat colors within a dog’s breed that cause different colors and styles to develop.
Overall Size and Weight
A Cattlejack should typically be about the size of a typical Jack Russell or Blue Heeler.
Some may also be in between, depending on the overall breed.
Expect a height of between 14 and 18 inches and a weight of 20 to 35 pounds.
While there’s no real standard size, as this breed is still so new as to be rarely tested, most breeders are noting sizes and weights of around these levels.
Like many dogs in this size range, the Cattlejack can have a long lifespan.
For instance, they may live up to 16 years at their oldest, though some may last longer.
Generally, size and weight tie heavily into this life.
Smaller and lighter dogs likely live longer, meaning that Jack-Russell-sized Cattlejacks may live longer: even more than the projected 16 years.
Neither of these breeds is heavily prone to obesity, either, though that varies on a dog-by-dog basis.
If your dog tends towards a more food-driven personality, it may quickly gain weight.
However, the Jack Russell and the Blue Heeler also tend toward active lives.
As a result, they may get a lot of exercises and live longer, depending on other health issues.
Temperament
The Cattlejack is typically a fairly friendly dog with a few things you need to be concerned about when raising them.
It should adapt easily to some apartment environments, as long as you’re careful about how you handle them.
Both the Blue Heeler and Jack Russell are runners, meaning their mix is particularly prone to flights of fancy.
A big backyard may help rein them in a little.
Just as importantly, both are surprisingly great watchdogs and will raise a ruckus if they notice anything out of the ordinary in your home.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not stranger friendly.
Once a new person is in their home and they have some time to interact with them, they can be very welcoming to new people.
As a result, it’s a good idea to let them sniff someone before interacting.
However, it is also important to point out one thing about this breed that must be noted: their nipping tendency.
They aren’t biters or aggressive: far from it. Instead, they may nip at people when playing and may even chase you in jest.
Some younger children may find this a very upsetting situation, so make sure that you take the time to explain this to them before introducing them to children.
Generally, they’re both very kid-friendly after you introduce them and let them meet the kid.
However, there is one issue with these dogs that may make them troubling: their high prey drive.
For example, both these breeds love chasing animals and may be very hard to settle with cats or even other dogs.
The Cattlejack is no different, and you must be careful when mixing them in this way.
All that said, they are very friendly, courageous, independent, and fun dogs that should be a very enjoyable addition to many homes.
People who should avoid them include older people with less energy or those without a lot of patience.
If you’re out of the house many hours every day, the Cattlejack will suffer, which makes them a challenging dog for some people.
They are both highly intelligent breeds that should adapt very well to obedience training and many unique situations.
You need to give them at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to keep them active.
Otherwise, they’ll likely have an excess of energy that can make them hard to handle.
Even a half-hour walk every day or ball throwing should help here.
Health Concerns
Both the Blue Heeler and the Jack Russell are prone to a few unique health problems that may affect this mix.
Understanding these issues is critical because they may vary depending on which breed your dog gains its primary traits.
For example, a Blue Heeler-style Cattlejack is likely to have more of their health problems, though this can naturally vary depending on each individual pup.
A Blue Heeler may be prone to problems like cataracts, hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, primary lens luxation, Von Willebrand’s disease, pupillary membrane, and some heart problems.
Talking with your veterinarian about these problems is wise, as they can check your Cattlejack for these issues early and make sure that they get the care that they need to stay healthy.
However, the Jack Russell may also have some health issues, like frequent dental problems, glaucoma, Cushing’s syndrome, obesity, deafness, liver disease, epilepsy, and allergies.
They also share a few conditions with the Blue Heeler, which can make them even more prone to these issues. It is essential to give them healthy meals, including one or two bowls of food, depending on their vet’s suggestions.
Minimize their snacks, ensuring that they’re less than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
You should also brush their teeth at least three times a week to help fight various tooth decay.
Jack Russells are particularly prone to tooth decay, so keep their teeth clean to avoid problems.
Also, brush their coat about once a week, clip their nails twice a month, and screen their vision hearing if they have all-white coats.
All-white dogs are more likely to experience deafness and blindness, so keep this fact in mind when raising your dog.
Is The Cattlejack Your Dream Dog?
If you want a high-energy and compact dog with a lot of smarts who is going to make you laugh with their antics, the Cattlejack is the right option for you.
They are definitely a bit on the high maintenance side but can be worth the time investment if you are willing to spend time with them and train them properly.
Though their independent streak is quite high and can be hard to handle, the right approach can make them an excellent dog for many homes, especially those with large and fenced in backyards.