Why does my Jack Russell have a curly tail and long legs? Is he mixed?

Hello. Max is a very cute puppy that has characteristics of a few different breeds. He does not appear to be a specific pure breed and does not appear to be 100% Jack Russel Terrier. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

It is unlikely that anything can be done especially in a dog which has finished growing but a review by an orthopedic specialist may be worth considering to assess for discomfort and management options. This is nit uncommon in jack Russell and many other small breeds such as shih tzu types

Romeo is a cutie!!! Certainly I believe those breeds could be present. There are ways available now to find out what breeds are found in his background. The product I recommend is the Wisdom Panel. You send in a check swab and the genetics are analyzed. You may look into this product or one similar if you are interested. Please feel free to post any further questions!

Unfortunately without seeing a picture of Yogi, I can't say what kind of breed he may be. You can request a consult with an expert online where you can share photos, or you can have a DNA test done on him. Wisdom Panel has home DNA kits that you can send it to find out his exact breed: http://www.wisdompanel.com

Yes, leg cramping is not common and is only identified in a few breeds of terriers (like Scottish Terriers). I recommend to have Henry examined by his veterinarian to make sure his neurological system appears normal and that his knee caps are fine. Best of luck.

According to the American Kennel Club's standards, Shih Tzu's should have a tail that curves over the back. However, as long as your puppy is able to move her tail normally, i.e. Wag it, move it side to side, make it stand up, then there are likely no neurologic abnormalities associated with this issue. I think that at 4 months it's likely that her tail won't change much, but as long as you're not planning on making her a show dog, and as I said above assuming no neurologic abnormalities, she should make a great pet. Talk to your vet on your next visit about your concerns. Especially if you're having trouble potty-training her, i.e. She's having trouble "holding it" for very long, there may be some concern for neurologic damage, since the nerves in that area perform multiple functions. Assuming she's progressing normally, I wouldn't worry about it too much, although you might touch base with the breeder, as this is likely something genetic. But lots of variations crop up during breeding - that doesn't mean they're "defects", just anomalies. You might also look into contacting the Shih Tzu club in your area. The AKC's site (akc.org) can help you locate one.

Hi there, Good question! This condition is called "prick ears". This is usually a permanent condition. The JRTCA considers this to be a conformational fault (i.e., the terrier is not eligible for registration). There is really nothing that can be done to get the ears to fall to their normal position (i.e., folded over). That being said, "prick ears" during the time period of 3 1/2 to 7 months of age may correct. During these months your Jack Russell Terrier is teething and for unknown reasons during this time frame the ears will do strange things, such as stand straight up, partially up and over to the side, etc.. Don't panic, the ears may go back after the teething process is over. If it does not correct however, by the time your JRT is about 8 months of age then it is likely going to be a permanent condition. You will just have to wait and see. Hope this helps. Best wishes.