While some smaller dogs have long coats that need hours of parents’ attention, this isn’t the case with the Cojack dog. Brushing once or twice a week should keep their coat shiny and free of dirt. They’re not big shedders, but prospective parents with allergies should be aware the hybrid isn’t hypoallergenic.
Bathing isn’t necessary very often — only when they get particularly dirty or work up a serious smell. Nails should be trimmed every few weeks or when you hear them clicking against the floor. Ears should also be regularly cleaned and dried off to prevent infections, while teeth also need to be brushed several times a week.
When it comes to exercise, the Cojack needs more exercise than many other dogs of a similar size. This is because both parent breeds were prodigious workers at one point in time. As such, parents should aim for an hour’s activity a day — this can take the form of playtime and training as well as walks (around nine miles a week should suffice).
Cojack Health Risks
Like all dogs, there are some health conditions to which a Corgi and Jack Russell Mix is more predisposed — these are usually ones that tend to befall both parent breeds, as well. Here are the main ones that parents should be aware of:
Patellar Luxation
This is a joint issue that’s more commonly spotted in smaller breeds, like the Cojack. In layman’s terms, ‘Patellar’ refers to the kneecap and ‘Luxation’ is another word for
dislocation — essentially, a dog’s knee pops out of the joint frequently, leading to a distinctive hopping motion and plenty of pain.
As a fairly common ailment, vets can often successfully treat it, usually through a combination of medication, leg braces or surgery.
Heart Problems
There are two heart conditions more likely to affect the Cojack. One is Dilated Cardiomyopathy, which is when the heart muscle becomes enlarged and weak. This results in reduced ability to pump blood, arrhythmia and valve leakage.
For parents, this will manifest itself in various symptoms linked to lethargy, be that difficulty exercising, excessive panting or weight loss. In latter stages, this can evolve into a loss of appetite and collapse.
Unfortunately, Dilated Cardiomyopathy has no cure, but a vet can prescribe supplements and medication to alleviate the worst symptoms.
Another cardiovascular disorder sometimes diagnosed in Cojacks is Patent Ductus Arteriosus. This is the second most common congenital heart defect in dogs and is defined by the abnormal development of the ductus arteriosus blood vessel.
This is often diagnosed by a vet during early wellness checks on Cojack puppies and parents will rarely spot symptoms of their own. What they might see are the signs of congestive heart failure as a result of Patent Ductus Arteriosus — this is similar to those of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in that they include weakness, breathing problems and collapse.
If Patent Ductus Arteriosus is caught early enough, a vet will be able to perform surgery that will allow for healthy blood flow. This is a big procedure and a dog will require a long recovery period. However, they can expect to live a normal life once they’re back on their feet.
Deafness
Various types of terrier are prone to congenital deafness, so a Corgi Terrier mix might be unlucky enough to have it in their genes. Parents should be able to spot signs of hearing loss from their dog’s abnormal behavior and a vet can confirm the extent of deafness.
Just as with humans, there’s no known cure for deafness in dogs and the only thing parents can do is adapt to their dog’s inability to hear commands — that might mean learning hand signals for commands or using a vibrating collar.
Many health conditions are easier to treat if they’re spotted as early as possible — this is where the regular testing and examinations included in a wellness plan really come into their own.
What to feed a Cojack
For a dog on the smaller end of the scale, Cojacks have a hearty appetite and require a lot of food to replenish their energy levels after long walks. This should be as high quality as possible — this means plenty of protein from named meats and all the essential vitamins and minerals.
Avoid recipes that use bulky carb ingredients in large quantities, as well as vaguely named meat derivatives. Read our guide to understanding the ingredients on a dog food label here.
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