Grooming a Smooth-Coated JRT

For a smooth-coated JRT, start with a thorough, all-over brushing, followed by a rubdown with a well-soaked, tightly squeezed magnet cloth A magnet cloth (or, as it is sometimes called, a “magic magnet cloth”) is used for its ability to absorb and hold water. It is often yellow and is made of a washable cloth fiber that can be washed over and over again but not machine dried. Equine or tack stores often sell them for polishing horse’s coats. Some dog supply catalogs offer them in the grooming section. The cloth removes old hair and debris, giving a nice fresh look to the coat.

Then look the dog over for anything that may need attention:


teeth, eyes, nails, injury to the foot pads, fleas and ticks (comb him through with the metal flea comb for a thorough check), an unusual smell in the ears, and so forth. (Any unusual smell or matter in the ears requires the attention of a veterinarian.) Follow this routine weekly.


You will also want to brush the dog almost daily because the smooth coat sheds so freely. During the shedding season in spring and fall, take your dog outside to groom him. You can use a bristle brush to remove loose hairs so your home is less filled with the cactuslike hairs of the Jack Russell.

The Jack Russell Coat

The Jack Russell is a double-coated breed, which means he has a dense undercoat with a harsh overcoat that will protect him from the elements and the underbrush. The coat comes in three varieties: smooth, broken, and rough.


Smooth coats shed more freely than the rough or broken coats, but if you are uncomfortable finding white hairs year round on your clothing and furniture, be warned that this is unavoidable with a Jack Russell in your home.



Basic Supplies
Here’s what you will need to groom your JRT:
• Bristle brush
• Grooming scissors
• Horsehair glove
• Magnet cloth
• Stripping knives, fine and coarse
• Metal flea comb
• Nail trimmer
• Rubber hound glove
• Thinning scissors
• Trimmer knife
• Styptic powder
• Volcanic rock



To begin grooming your dog, place him on a table set at a height that will make the dog easy to work with and that is comfortable for your back. A professional grooming table is easiest for this purpose; it’s adjustable, has a nonskid surface, and comes with an extendable arm from which hangs a loop of leash (known as a noose) that you can use to keep your hands free for grooming.


Never leave the dog unattended for even a second while he is restrained in the noose. If you must stop grooming, have a crate ready in which to place the dog until you return.

Pet Food vs. People Food

Many of the foods we eat are excellent sources of nutrients— after all, we do just fine on them. But dogs, just like us, need the right combination of meat and other ingredients for a complete and balanced diet, and a bowl of meat doesn’t provide that. In the wild, dogs eat the fur, skin, bones, and guts of their prey, and even the contents of the stomach.


This doesn’t mean your dog can’t eat what you eat. A little meat, dairy, bread, some fruits, or vegetables as a treat are great. Just remember, we’re talking about the same food you eat, not the gristly, greasy leftovers you would normally toss in the trash. Stay away from sugar, too, and remember that chocolate is toxic to dogs.


If you want to share your food with your dog, be sure the total amount you give her each day doesn’t make up more than 15 percent of her diet, and that the rest of what you feed her is a top-quality complete and balanced dog food. (More people food could upset the balance of nutrients in the commercial food.) Can your dog eat an entirely homemade diet? Certainly, if you are willing to work at it. Any homemade diet will have to be carefully balanced, with all the right nutrients in just the right amounts.


It requires a lot of research to make a proper homemade diet, but it can be done. It’s best to work with a veterinary nutritionist.