The Jack Russell Terrier coat comes in three different types – smooth, broken, and rough. Regardless of coat type, Jack Russells will shed moderately year-round and a little heavier as the seasons change.
The smooth coat is short and dense and requires weekly brushing. A grooming glove and/or a soft round brush are good types of dog grooming brushes to have on hand. The rough and broken coats need to be combed weekly with a brush or comb, but are kept mostly natural. Bathing is on an as-needed basis, which may be more often than you think since Jack Russells tend to be active outdoors and may get dirty often.
In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Jack Russell Terrier’s nails, ears, and teeth. Trimming nails once or twice monthly is usually enough to keep them from growing too long and causing issues. Checking ears weekly, and carefully cleaning them as needed, can help prevent ear infections.
As a small dog breed, the Jack Russell is even more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. This makes good dental care for dogs early and throughout your dog’s life even more important. Daily brushing and cleanings at the vet, when needed, are a good start.