How to Groom a Long Haired Jack Russell Terrier

How to Groom a Long Haired Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier breed has a double coat of thick hair that requires to be taken care of regularly. Also referred to as the Parson Russell Terrier, the dogs may have rough, smooth or broken coats. The rough-coated or long haired Jack Russell terrier has longer tresses than the smooth-coated terrier, and have surplus trace hair on its head, legs, body and face. The hair is crude to shield the breed from the elements, and silky, curly or soft hair is taken to be a fault. However, the long haired Jack Russell Terrier requires some grooming to appear their best all the time. Here are various ways you can use to groom your dog:

Brushing

Brushing is one of the most vital feature of grooming a long haired Jack Russell Terrier. Its main aim is to aid the dog grow a hard and water repellent coat. You can start by combing your dog's whole body with a wide-toothed comb. You can also engage in daily brushing using a slicker brush when your dog blows its coat. This kind of brush includes a rubber cushion rooted with metal pins that help to remove the undercoat hairs soon as they become loose.

Stripping

Besides brushing, you can also strip your long haired Jack Russell Terrier twice a year to groom him. This is best done when the terrier is blowing the coat. Use a stripping comb to strip all the hairs off and examine every section to make sure that all dull hairs have been plucked. You can also use a stripping knife, but if you are uncomfortable doing this, consult an expert groomer for instruction and advice.

Bathing

According to the Jack Russell Terrier Club, shampoo is detrimental to the long haired Jack Russell Terrier as it mitigates the hair. Instead, the dogs benefit from dry shampoos. You will mix equal fractions of cornstarch with child powder and then work the mixture into your dog's coat. After that, brush the coat carefully. However, if the dog is very dirty and needs a full shower, use top-quality dog shampoo manufactured especially for long haired dogs.

Trimming

Jack Russell Terrier breeds requires little trimming. You can trim the slack hair on your dog's face using blunt scissors. However, avoid trimming more than required. Leave the whiskers and eyebrow hairs around his mouth and remove enough to poise the face uniformly on both sides. It is also a good idea to trim around the genitals to enhance hygiene, and the excess hair in between his toes. Thinning scissors can be used for the job.

Conclusion

The grooming process for a long haired Jack Russell Terrier is more delicate and time-consuming than grooming a short-haired Terrier. One point to keep in mind is that you should never cut a Terrier's hair. This is because cutting his hair alters the coat texture, turning it softer, whereas a Jack Terrier's coat should be wiry and firm. Another important point is that grooming should always be performed on a table. This is to save you from having to bend to meet your dog. You will also be comfortable while doing the job.