Border Jack

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22-32 lbs
16-22"
United States
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Border Collie
Jack Russell Terrier
Border Collie Jack

The Border Jack hybrid likely originated in the United States within the past few decades, so there really isn’t much history available on the hybrid.  However, there is a rich history to be found in the parent breeds, the Border Collie and the Jack Russell Terrier (a.k.a. Parson Russell Terrier) . The Border Jack was bred for the agility sports and flyball as well as family companions.  The resulting hybrid is a medium-sized compact and strong bodied canine who possesses extreme amounts of energy which must be expended on a daily basis.  He can have the personality and appearance traits of either or both parent breeds, but his temperament is one of high energy, courage, loyalty and playfulness.  He will require moderate levels of grooming as he is a shedder.
Purpose
Agility, Companion
Date of Origin
Unknown
Ancestry
Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier

Border Jack Health

Average Size
Male Border Jack size stats
Height: 16-22 inches Weight: 22-32 lbs
Female Border Jack size stats
Height: 16-22 inches Weight: 22-32 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
Minor Concerns
  • Cataract
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Occasional Tests
  • Eye
  • Hearing
  • Hip X-Rays
  • Physical Examination

Border Jack Breed History

Since the Border Jack hybrid likely originated in the United States within the past few decades, the history of the hybrid is scant.  However, a rich history can be found on the parent breeds, the Border Collie and the Jack Russell Terrier.  The Border Collie originated in England and can be traced back to the first century when the invading Romans brought their own larger shepherding breeds to help to manage the flocks and herds.  Later, the breed was modified when the invading Vikings, bringing their own smaller spitz-like dogs to England, bred those with the existing breeds to get the smaller, stronger and more energetic Border Collie that we see today.  The Jack Russell Terrier can be traced back to the early 1800’s when, in Devonshire England, the young John (Jack) Russell (who later became a parson and hence the name of the breed, also called the Parson (Jack) Russell Terrier) stumbled upon an adorable Terrier bitch (thought to be a cross between a Fox Terrier and a Black and Tan Terrier). He was so taken by this delightful animal that he bought her on the spot and she is said to be the beginning of the new breed which he developed over his lifetime.  The Jack Russell Terrier was bred to hunt and flush out foxes and such from their lairs but without killing them.  Mr. Russell is thought to have utilized the Fox Terrier and perhaps the Beagle to obtain a taller Terrier breed without the “killer blood” of some other hunting breeds.  After his death, other breeds like Dachshunds, Corgis, assorted toys and Terriers were introduced into the breeding process, thereby eliminating the breed's ability to be recognized by the English Kennel Club despite its extreme popularity in the British Isles.  The Border Collie and the Jack Russell Terrier were later bred in the United States to create the Border Jack hybrid. The purpose behind this breeding seems to have been a desire to develop a breed which would have the quickness and agility to perform in sports flyball, a type of relay race in which dogs race over jumps, retrieve a ball and return.  This breeding combination produced a canine with significant skills to perform in these sporting areas.

Border Jack Breed Appearance

As a crossbreed canine, the Border Jack can inherit appearance traits from either or both of the breed parents.  Generally, the Border Jack’s body more closely resembles the Jack Russell Terrier with its narrow body and chest, small head and floppy ears that fall forward. Your Border Jack could have oval or almond-shaped dark eyes and they will give him an alert and intelligent expression. He will likely have a strong muzzle with tight lips and a scissors bite. His feet can be round or oval, compact, with moderately arched toes that point forward, thick and tough pads and nails which are of moderate length. Your Border Jack is of medium height (16 to 22 inches) and will weigh in from 22 to 32 pounds.

Border Jack Breed Maintenance

Your Border Jack is a moderate level shedder, so he’ll need moderate amounts of grooming and brushing.  This will reduce the excess hair in your home and will keep him clean and free of debris.  He should be brushed at least two times a week and only bathed when necessary.  Keeping up with the brushing routine will reduce the vacuuming you’ll need to do and will help reduce the irritants in the air for those in your household who suffer from asthma or other breathing problems.  Your Border Jack should have his ears checked and cleaned if necessary at least weekly to reduce the potential for infections.  He will need to have regular and routine eye examinations to monitor any of the eye problems which are known to afflict the parent breeds.  As with almost every other breed of canine, regular teeth examinations and cleanings will help to reduce the potential for periodontal disease which leads to tooth loss. 

Border Jack Temperament

Your Border Jack hybrid can take on the temperament of either or both of the parent breeds but rest assured that he will be courageous, loyal and playful first and foremost.  He loves his human family and will bond with them.  He is very good with children and older kids but, because he is so energetic and rambunctious, he should not be left alone with small children.  He is wary and cautious of strangers but this trait can be modified using early socialization techniques.  Early socialization should include not only humans but other dogs and cats as well. He is exceptionally intelligent, making training easier than some other breeds though may take more time since he is such a “busy” boy.  Since he has a “working” pedigree, be prepared to keep him well-exercised and mentally challenged. Keeping him well-exercised and mentally challenged will help to expend all of that energy and keep him from becoming bored and destructive.

Border Jack Activity Requirements

Your Border Jack has the propensity to have huge amounts of energy to expend.  He loves to run, jump, chase and play and can do so for hours.  He also loves to run with his human family … so, if you’re a runner, take him along!  He won’t complain or have any problems keeping up your pace and he’ll love you more for it!  For all of his energy needs, he is a canine which can live happily in an apartment, provided you are willing to provide him with ample exercise opportunities and play time activities.  He can live in any climate in both urban as well as rural environments, though extra protection may be required when outside in the colder climates.  He will also do quite well in a family home with or without a fenced yard, again, provided he’s exercised appropriately.

Border Jack Owner Experiences

Pistol Pete
9 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
hide and seek
Car rides
learning tricks
Running
Walks
Playing with others
So far he has a rather funny personality and will always snuggle up at night with you. He does tend to be at the heels a bit. He has to be the center of attention and is learning alot ot commands. He is a bit scared of things as we found him dumped and he has to warm up to other humans especially men.
1 month ago
Luna
4 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Car rides
Tug of war
Runs
Walks,
I've had my Border Jack Luna for about 4 years now. She is so full of energy. Never a day goes by where I can just lay around. She keeps me on my toes constantly. She always makes me laugh.
2 months, 1 week ago
buster
6 Years
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
lots of walking chasing the ball
he's been a bit lethargic and wont even get out of his bed when you go outside which is unusual. when patting him either behind his head or his back legs mainly the right he yelps and then just constantly whines it takes him a while to get out of his bed. i cant see anything. any ideas what might be wrong.
2 months, 2 weeks ago
Poppy
2 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Flyball
Running
Poppy is a very lively girl who I got from a local dogs litter. Her extreme trainability (she learns things within about 20 mins) and utter friendliness make her an amazing companion. I must admit, she does take on some typical border collie traits, nipping at kids ankles and running laps around the backyard, but they mostly get drowned out by her extreme love of flyball. I highly recommend this sport to not just other border jacks, but all dogs as it is fun and stimulating for dog parent and dog alike.
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Brownie
5 Weeks
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Biting a ball
Running around
My border Jack is about 5 weeks old, and is very cute. He is super playful, and when he plays, he sometimes bites my family members! He is very small, and is brown and white.
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Finnegan
6 Months
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Obedience classes
Agility training
Run
Frisbee
Fetch
Finn is an amazingly fun and intelligent dog. Each and every time we set out to teach him something new he catches on within a half hour or so. He’s quick to remember day to day what he has been taught. We have had him for three weeks and he has bonded tightly to us and is not apt to share our attention. We rescued him from an adult care home where he got little attention and training, and I suspect he was extremely bored and understimulated. He has a hard time with the cats, wanting to chase all the time so we always have him on a leash if they come onto the main floor. This may be a long process. He hasn’t spent time with kids yet but I suspect he will need to be leashed for the first number of visits. Great with other dogs, big and small, and can easily hold his own in the pack. Love him already!
4 months ago
snoopy
7 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Everything
the most fun loving and affectionate dog we have the pleasure of owning after rescueing from being dumped at 6weeks old
5 months, 1 week ago
Tessa
2 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tag
Service Dog Training
High Five
Chase
Agility training
Hike
Run
Shopping
I adopted Tessie when she was just over a year old. She came from a hoarding situation with over 600 dogs and we think she had very little contact with humans before she was rescued. Once in a shelter, after weeks of training, she was deemed unadoptable and was scheduled to be put down. Luckily, her foster mom took her in and we adopted from her. She was terrified when we first met her but I am a sucker for saving the damned. She is now mostly rehabilitated and doesn't mind humans but would prefer they stop reaching out towards her. Because of her breed, she is wicked smart, and after spending some time with my family's dogs she picked up on normal dog things like begging, "sit", drinking from the toilet, and belly rubs. She was learning so quickly and as I have RA and had developed severe panic attacks, we decided to train her to be my service dog. She now is public access trained and will jump up and lick my face during panic attacks, lay on me while I am anxious, and massage my back when I have muscle spasms. She has a kind of malleable energy where she can jump and run in circles for an hour, hike up the flatirons, or just lay in bed with me all day. Unfortunately, she is not the best with kids just yet. She isn't aggressive at all, but she does jump up and nip at their ankles to herd them. And if they run she wants to run too and play and bark; which I've found, does not look great to parents. She has never hurt anyone but she just doesn't understand they can't play like dogs. During her service dog time out and about, though, she doesn't seem too interested in them unless they come straight up to her or she is particularly unexercised. She is absolutely devoted to me, affectionate as can be, and hikes perfectly off leash. She is the best trained dog I personally know, and honestly, I don't put that much effort in. She is my best friend and I wouldn't ask for anyone different. 10/10 would recommend!
8 months, 1 week ago
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