A Border Jack is a busy, active dog that is affectionate with their family. Although they do get along well with children, they tend to be a better fit for older children. Border Jacks tend to have an exuberant and rambunctious personality that can overwhelm younger children. At the same time, they do not tend to tolerate rough behavior, which could cause problems with young children who have not mastered motor control when it comes to interacting with animals.

Even well-socialized, they can be wary and cautious of strangers, including other dogs. How quickly they warm up once introduced will vary dog to dog, but well-socialized Border Jacks do tend to warm up once introduced, especially if they want to play. Border Jacks also have a high prey drive, and you may need to work on managing prey drive in dogs to direct this into appropriate outlets.

A lot of socialization and training early and often can help the more closed-off Border Jack open up and also curb any herding tendencies they may be showing. This is particularly important with other dogs and pets in the household. Border Jacks have a better chance of doing well with other animals they have been raised with, but their prey drive can still be a challenge.

A Border Jack is a highly adaptable dog breed. Although they are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they do adapt well to apartments as long as they get the mental stimulation and exercise they need every day. They are high-energy dogs, so you will need to dedicate a lot of time each day to exercising them, regardless of where you live.

They tend to do well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. Because they are high-energy dogs and highly intelligent, they have a lot of energy to expend and also get bored easily. This means they don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. As with any dog, they can become destructive if they are bored or do not get enough exercise.

Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? They can be, but it’s not a guarantee. A mixed-breed dog can inherit health conditions common to one, both, or neither of the parent breeds. For the Border Jack, potential health conditions to be aware of can include hip dysplasia, deafness, Collie Eye Anomaly, cataracts, Cerebellar Abiotrophy, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Border Jack puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. Also, you can ask about any tests that have been done and to see any results or health clearances they may have for their dogs.

Although the Border Jack is intelligent and picks up on things quickly, they also get bored easily and can be quite stubborn. That, plus their high energy, can be difficult for novice dog owners to handle alone.

As such, puppy training classes are recommended. Obedience classes can be a great idea even if you don’t necessarily need them for help with training. Not only do they help strengthen the bond you have with your puppy, but they also often provide opportunities to socialize a puppy.

A Border Jack will shed moderately year-round. Their coat will need to be brushed a few times a week, at least. If they inherit the longer Border Collie coat, you may want to brush them more often to remove tangles and prevent mats. Bathing is on an occasional, as-needed basis. In addition to coat care, you will also need to care for your Border Jack’s nails, ears, and teeth.

Cutting your dog’s nails once or twice a month keeps them from growing too long and causing issues. If nails aren’t wearing down as much between trims or your dog’s nails just grow really fast, you may need to trim them more often. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning your dog’s ears as needed can help prevent ear infections.

And, practicing good dental care for dogs, like brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, helps prevent painful dental diseases later in life. This is important for every dog, and particularly important for small dogs who are more prone to developing dental diseases later in life.

The Border Jack is a high-energy dog breed. Although daily walks plus playtime and extra activity can be enough for this dog, you are likely to wear out before they do. And, they will likely always be up for more activity if you are.

Trips to the dog park, swimming with your dog, walks, and more are all good low-impact activities when they are younger. Once they’ve finished growing and their joints are done developing, then you can move to more high-impact activities like running with your dog, playing frisbee, going hiking, and training for dog sports. These dogs tend to be particularly well-suited to agility and flyball.

A fully-grown Border Jack usually stands 16-22 inches tall and weighs 22-32 pounds.

Border Jacks generally live for 12-15 years on average.

Border Jacks can be great farm dogs when trained properly. With one of the best dog breeds for farms as a parent on the Border Collie side, this isn’t surprising. What might be surprising is that Terriers can make good farm dogs, too. Instead of herding, they usually excel at ratting and pest control, which is what many were originally bred for doing.