Cocker Jack

15-25 lbs
12-14"
United States
Cocker Spaniel
Jack Russell Terrier

The Cocker Jack is a small to average sized dog that is the result of crossing a Jack Russell Terrier and a Cocker Spaniel. This new breed is friendly and active, a perfect blend of the two parent dogs. The boldness of the Jack Russell Terrier is tempered by the reservedness and softer Cocker Spaniel characteristics. The Cocker Jack is ideal for a family, although supervision is needed with younger toddlers who can sometimes play a bit rough and may unintentionally hurt your small dog. These dogs are loyal and affectionate, devoted to their human family. They can be a bit reserved around strangers, but when they warm to them, they become welcoming and friendly.

purpose Purpose
Companion, Agility, Watchdog
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Cocker Spaniel and Jack Russell Terrier

Cocker Jack Health

Average Size
Male Cocker Jack size stats
Height: 12-15 inches Weight: 18-28 lbs
Female Cocker Jack size stats
Height: 12-14 inches Weight: 15-25 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Cataracts
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Minor Concerns
  • Allergies
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Epilepsy
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • CT or MRI scan
  • Blood Tests
  • Full Physical Examination
  • Ocular Tests
  • Biochemical Profile Tests

Cocker Jack Breed History

The Cocker Jack doesn’t have a lot of data about its entry into the hybrid breed history books so the easiest way to analyse your Cocker Jack's likely characteristics is to look at the past of the parent breeds. The Jack Russell is a proud and plucky little dog. They were originally bred to hunt foxes who had gone underground during a hunt. The breed originated in Devon, England in the mid-1800s. The Reverend Jack Russell who founded the breed preferred a longer legged terrier that could keep up with the hounds so he created a longer legged type known as the Parsons Russell Terrier, of which the Jack Russell Terrier is a smaller version. Looking at the Cocker Spaniel's history, their history is entwined in hunting as is the Jack's. The name spaniel means Spanish dog and it is believed that they began in Spain. In 1881 the American Spaniel Club was formed and included many types of Spaniels. Over time, the breeders split into separate organisations as differences among the spaniels were defined. It took many years of work before the American Kennel Club finally recognised the American Cocker Spaniel as a distinct breed. The Cocker Spaniel became a favorite in the show ring and breeders moved away from breeding them for hunting and more towards traits that would win in the show ring. The Cocker Spaniel has a sweet temperament and is affectionate and loves his family. They are known to have a sensitive nature, which means they need gentle and kind handling to bring out their best. The Cocker Jack is therefore blessed by two sets of genes producing an active, affectionate and totally lovable dog.

Cocker Jack Breed Appearance

The Cocker Jack dog can vary considerably in appearance depending on what parent dog it takes after most. They can have the typical Spaniel look with the longer silky hair, the floppy often feathered ears, and the fluffy tail. Or they can take after the Jack Russell Terrier and have the short smooth hair, the smooth folded ears, and the straight pointed tail. Whichever it may be, they will have the most appealing face with large oval eyes with dark rims. The head is rounded in shape, with a long muzzle that is in proportion to the head. A black nose with wide set nostrils and a happy smile defines the face. The body is sturdy and strong, with short study legs and small rounded paws.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Cocker Jack eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Cocker Jack nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Cocker Jack coat
Black
white Cocker Jack coat
White
brown Cocker Jack coat
Brown
cream Cocker Jack coat
Cream
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Cocker Jack straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Cocker Jack Breed Maintenance

The Cocker Jack dog is a low maintenance dog having a coat that is easy to keep clean and looking good. Brushing twice a week with a firm bristle brush will remove any loose hair and bathing only when needed will keep the coat in good condition. Remember to use a special dog shampoo when bathing, as human shampoos are too strong and may cause allergies. Other maintenance tasks include keeping inside the ears clean and checking regularly to see there is no build up in debris or infection. If there is you will notice an unpleasant smell coming from the ear and your dog may paw at his ears and whine. A quick trip to the veterinarian will help to clear the infection up. Clean your Cocker Jack's teeth regularly. You need to start this practise when your dog is young to get them used to it. At first, make the brushing short in time and reward your dog with hugs and lots of praise for their efforts. Soon your dog will come to love their regularly grooming sessions and see it as a way to get more attention from you.

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Brushes for Cocker Jack
Comb
Comb
Clipper
Clipper
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Cocker Jack requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Cocker Jack Temperament

Cute, fun, affectionate and happy comes to mind when discussing the Cocker Jack. They are active little dogs, but will fill your lap the moment you sit down. The Cocker Jack does well at training, but it may just take a lot longer and require more of your patience as they can have a slight stubborn streak. Short sessions at first will help their focus, and try and make it fun for them with lavish praise and the odd treat. This dog may be slightly snappy with young toddlers as they don’t react well to tail pulling or ear chewing, but to mitigate the risk have the puppy grow up with the children and teach both dog and kids to respect each other. The Cocker Jack will love to play, and enjoys a bit of space to explore, therefore a well fenced yard is ideal. Some dogs tend to dig everywhere so be aware of this early on and try distraction to keep them from developing that habit. They are best with a strong but kind owner who establishes themselves as the pack leader. All things considered, the Cocker Jack is a lovable small dog who will win your heart and be a devoted little companion.

Cocker Jack Activity Requirements

Depending on how much your Cocker Jack dog takes after its parent breed, the activity level can vary quite a lot. Some dogs can be full on like the Jack Russell, whereas others can be more mellow and laid back like the Cocker Spaniel. But whatever the case, your Cocker Jack will need a daily walk to keep them fit, and will enjoy the freedom to play and socialise with other dogs at the dog beach or park. At home, a fenced yard is ideal for these dogs.  They can live in an apartment if they get enough exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy. The Cocker Jack is fine in either hot weather where swimming will help keep them cool, or in colder climates where they may need a dog coat when out walking. They should have approximately an hour walk daily to keep them agile and fit.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes
activity minutes

Cocker Jack Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.75 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Cocker Jack Owner Experiences

Dottie
3 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We got Dottie when she was 5 or 6 weeks old. She NEEDS her humans and hates being alone. She is shy around new people.She plays with our 3 cats and is so fun to watch.
4 years, 6 months ago
Charlie
5 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Very friendly.No problem with living with the cat.The only thing is he looses lots of hair. It goes everywhere.
6 years, 2 months ago
Nikos
15 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tennis ball retrieving
Best dog ever. Very healthy and affectionate. He was a great puppy, house trained very easily and did not chew on much but his toys. He will be a lap dog until the end and at fifteen his only health problem is arthritis, I believe due to lifetime of very hard play, running, pouncing, chasing and retrieving. Everyone has thought he was a black lab puppy throughout his long life.
6 years, 1 month ago
Obi
5 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Retreiving
Hiking
Ball
Agility training
Very energetic dog, loyal, loving, great watchdog, happily lives with a cat, plays endlessly with a ball. Easy to train and enjoys agility. Can be shy with stangers and protective of his pack. Low maintenance.
6 years ago
Charley
5 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is still a puppy, but boy does she keep us on our toes. One thing that I am not fond of is that she will always chew on our shoes, although we bought her, her own toys...Not sure how to train her not to do that, if you have any advise, please. Overall, she is a very friendly and lovable pup, my little fur baby...
5 years, 11 months ago
Peanut
10 Weeks
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He is a very affectionate puppy. Loves his food. Good with cats. Good with toilet training.
5 years, 11 months ago
Lucky
10 Years
3 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Very sweet dog, but scared of strangers which resulted after she was attacked by a much bigger dog when just a puppy. Fiercely protective of the family and very smart when it comes to getting food on the counter.
5 years, 9 months ago
Clio
3 Months
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking and running
Great dog, super fun to be around and loves attention. Lap dog 100%
5 years, 8 months ago
Lexi
3 Years
1 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Loyal, great watchdog...loves me
5 years, 8 months ago
Angeles
10 Years
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling .walking.and watching him run .
I love it I'm never had a problem I couldn't fix with him .
5 years, 5 months ago
Emme
6 Months
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
she is very fiesty! The only issue we have encountered with her is some aggressivenss with her food and bones, still is a bit bitey with feet and pant legs when you walk by her
5 years, 4 months ago
Hope
7 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She’s very affectionate and happy but she is very excited and good bite peoples faces
5 years, 1 month ago
Juliet
1 Year
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Juliet is a very friendly and lovable cocker spaniel. She likes giving kisses on our cheeks or ears. She has a special place on my father's lap for her afternoon nap after play time. When i arrive home from work, it's time to throw ball again. She also likes to entertain herself by throwing the ball(or half chewed) up in the air if no one gives her attention. We love her endlessly and has a very special in our hearts ♥
5 years, 1 month ago
Kya
15 Years
4 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She has been a good dog, mostly very quite, has a lot of energy and likes people and other dogs.
4 years, 10 months ago
Shylo
11 Years
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She has been a wonderful dog. She is great with the kids and very loving.
4 years, 9 months ago
Sage
4 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Love her!she is fun and sweet. She loves to sleep on my lap. Gets along well with my other pets.
4 years, 5 months ago
Ninja
6 Months
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
After reading everyone else's experience I agree with everything my cocker/Jack is totally typical of what everyone said,from being clever to getting food on counters to loving afternoon naps on my lap,very affectionate and loyal although a bit hectic he fits right into our mad house.
4 years, 4 months ago
Oreo
12 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Very loyal and humble..Very protective of children..
4 years, 1 month ago
Kazoo
5 Months
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Fetch
Tug-of-war
Walk
I have an energetic Cocker Jack that is loyal, protective, and incredibly affectionate. He's quite the velcro type but stays calm when he wants to company by himself. He's also a handful at times as he wants to play all the time so in order to get him balanced and tired, I make sure to take him out on walks twice a day. I'm really learning a lot from him, in terms of responsibility and sticking to a routine, which makes him such a wonderful friend and family member in our household.
3 years, 12 months ago
Joey
9 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Long woodland walks
Beach days
We've had joey from a pup. He's the most loyal, affectionate little dog we've ever had the pleasure of owning. He's great with my kids, the youngest being 7. Only problem we do have with him is his front legs, he keeps sprianing them if he over does his walk. He's also not very good with the bigger dogs breeds (little man syndrome)
3 years, 11 months ago
Nela
10 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Nela just passed away from a splenic tumor :( but she was super healthy and lively up until a few days before her passing. She was a very snuggly dog in the house, but a strong beast during walks and hikes, who could run us in circles. She didn't get along well with larger dogs or puppies, but liked dogs her size or smaller. She also didn't love toddlers as a young dog, but grew to tolerate them more as she aged. She could hold her bladder for 10 hours (overnight) and not even beg to go outside in the morning! Always looked for the sunbeam or fireplace or blanket to snuggle next to/under.
3 years, 10 months ago
Martha Mary
1 Year
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Martha is a beautiful, cute friendly dog, she has a cheeky temperament and loves to play and be cuddled.
3 years, 9 months ago
Willow
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Swim
Walk
Willow is adorable - such a chilled out little lady at times, but equally totally hyperactive at others. She is very inquisitive and has typical Spaniel tendencies when it comes to tracking a scent. She is fiercely loyal to me & very protective - she will stand off against other dogs to ‘protect’ me and barks when anyone walks past our house. She definitely prefers the company of humans to canines. She definitely resembles Jack Russell more than Spaniel. We don’t know much about her history as she was a rescue dog, but we fear she was used or breeding & was maltreated as she will court if you stand over her. I would recommend this breed to anyone looking for a loyal companion when walking who isn’t afraid to turn into a lap dog should the opportunity present!
3 years, 9 months ago
Pickle
8 Months
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Pickle is an absolute joy. She's fun, friendly, energetic and cuddly.
3 years, 8 months ago
Penelope
8 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She definitely takes after the cocker spaniel. She has medium to long blonde hair and resembles a miniature cocker. She is lively at times and full of energy but she definitely knows how to take naps throughout the day. She’s territorial and barks often when she hears noises coming from outside the house. She does not like cuddling but she will sit on the same couch, bed, or any other place where a human is in close proximity.
3 years, 7 months ago
Alexa
7 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Alexa is a lovable, active dog.She is very smart and learns quickly, but is stubborn when it comes to re-training. She loves to run, is very fast, and extremely agile. Alexa loves to cuddle and to be loved on.
3 years, 6 months ago
Lola
11 Weeks
3 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Ball playing
Walks
Lola is the most sweetest girl. She is very gentle with my 15 month old son, and loves going for walks. Once home she loves a good feed and cuddle.
3 years, 5 months ago
Archie
10 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Throwing ball
Hide & seek with his tennis ball
Fell walking
Woodland walks
swimming
Super friendly & loving. Very sociable with other dogs. Good with other animals too. Archie took quite a lot of training as a puppy, but is highly intelligent, very obedient & eager to please. Even at 10 years old he is very energetic & agile & tireless on walks. Loves water & swimming.
3 years, 5 months ago
Spock
2 Years
9+ People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Train
Walk
Trick
Pool
Spock is a very sweet loveable dog who is very proactive of my baby and stuff she likes. She takes care of them and has never hurt them. She is a great family dog.
3 years, 4 months ago
Sadie
7 Weeks
6 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fun so far were a week in she is only 7 weeks old but so sweet
3 years, 4 months ago
Bruno
2 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Eating 😉
playing with other dogs
Frisbee
Digning for mice
Tracking and all kind of nosework
Bruno is tuf and soft at the same time. Always bold and most of the time with his attention on us indoor as outdoor. He has an enormous passion for all kind of game and sometime he’s a bit out of control. Absolutely kind to other dogs.
3 years, 1 month ago
Patch
10 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing
Cuddling
We have had our dog Patch since being a puppy and he is adorable, when he was young he wasn’t the easiest to train but persistence pays off. He loves going out for walks and adores human attention, he is fine around other dogs but only those of a similar size. Unfortunately as I write this Patch is poorly and I am taking him to the vets tomorrow to find out what is wrong with him, he is being sick with traces of blood so not a good sign however I think he may have torn something when eating a chew bone ( fingers crossed it’s nothing serious ) He suffers with hip dysplasia and is on medication for that daily but he’s a wonderful little dog and we all love him to bits x
3 years ago
Nhani Mamé
9 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is so sweet and amazing
2 years, 11 months ago
Bailey
15 Weeks
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Bailey was really easy to house train and to train to sit, wait, give pores etc but recall was harder! He loves every dog and every human. Off lead if he’s another dog, he bounces over to it like a very fast kangaroo! He’s then submissive and rolls over in front of them snd then starts to play! He’s fast running, and full of energy! He’s so friendly and loves cuddles and likes to sleep curled up with someone. Really short haired and everyone comments how he’s such a lovely looking dog. Often mistaken for a pointer. Great with kids.
2 years, 10 months ago
penny
14 Months
4 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
running about and chasing balls
we have had penny for 3-4 months she has been lovely to everyone exempt our cat she normally gives a little bark when she hears the cat but other then that she is quiet and she loves eating her treats and wet food she is a bit jumpy at moments. on walks we normally walk down to the local field when she sees other dogs she normally pulls to try and get closer. she also does not like birds or squirrels she makes a funny noise every time she sees one.
6 months, 3 weeks ago
Theo
6 Years
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Skiing
Learning new tricks
Hiking
cuddle
Everyone thinks that Theo is a puppy, even though he is now 6 years old. He is a lovely mix of both breeds, to the extent that he enjoys cuddling under blankets on the couch, a trait he likely inherited from the Jack Russell part. He also enjoys watching birds in the sky and sniffing/hunting outdoors. He takes his time to smell around, and we can spend 15 minutes on a short walk that would typically take 5 minutes. Typically, we go for 3-4 walks a day, each lasting 15-30 minutes. This is a dog who loves people, animals, cuddles, walks, relaxation - a very versatile dog! He needs a lot of mental stimulation, so we give him a treat ball that he works on for 30-45 minutes, and then he's done for the day.
2 months, 3 weeks ago
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