Jack Russell Terriers are lovely, high energy and highly intelligent dogs that thrive in an active home.
If you have adopted a Jack Russell Terrier, you might have noticed that your adorable dog is virtually everywhere, often leaving a trail of fur behind.
In this post, we’ll answer the question “do Jack Russells shed ?” and discuss some ways to deal with your Jack Russell Terrier shedding concern.
While it is not possible to stop Jack Russell Terrier shedding, you can manage your pup’s grooming needs and minimize the amount of hair you have to remove from your upholstery every day.
Why Does My Jack Russell Shed So Much?
Unfortunately, Jack Russell shedding may become a major problem if you don’t know how to deal with it.
However, you need to realize that Jack Russell Terriers need to shed in order to keep their coat healthy. So while you have to deal with the Jack Russell shedding issue, this is just a small price you have to pay for owning such a great pet.
But Do Jack Russells Shed? The reality is that all Jack Russell dogs do shed. Generally, the shorter the fur, the more he will shed. The shedding will sometimes be more pronounced as the seasons change.
About The Coat
There are different types of coats that you can expect with this breed.
A smooth coat is usually the shortest, the rough coat is the longest type of coat while broken is anywhere between the two. Apart from the length, such coats have the same texture, and all of these are vulnerable to shedding.
Jack Russell Terrier shedding is also experienced by the short-haired types. Therefore, shedding is expected with any coat type.
Dealing With Jack Russell Shedding
Most dogs are either seasonal shedders or year-round shedders.
If you are asking “do jack Russell terriers shed ?”, then you will want to know that Jack Russell Terriers shed throughout the year. They have up to seven layers of hair, so one of these layers will be actively shedding at any time.
There’s nothing you can do about Jack Russell shedding as it is a natural process.
However, there are some things you can do to minimize the amount of shedding experienced, so as to prevent an unpleasant problem.
1. Contact Your Vet
Take your dog to the vet for a general check-up.
Vitamin deficiencies and poor nutrition can lead to excess shedding. Therefore, be sure to contact your vet to rule out the possibility that poor nutrition is causing your Jack Russell Terrier to lose hair.
Your vet may detect a skin condition that is contributing to the excess shedding or recommend a better diet for your dog.
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2. Bathing
You can enhance the health of your puppy’s coat by giving him a regular bath.
However, Jack Russell Terriers don’t require daily baths. The skin will become too dry if you give them too many baths within a short period of time.
At the same time, it is important to ensure your dog smells fresh at all times. Therefore, it is recommended to bathe him once every two to three months. However, if your dog is very active outdoors and likes to roll around in dirt, you will need to clean him at least once per month.
Keep in mind that baths encourage the shedding process. If you are trying to stop the shedding, bathing will not make that happen. However, you can reduce it.
Giving your puppy a regular bath before using the right grooming equipment on him can help break down dirt and grease. Once you dry and comb his hair, the loose fur will reduce.
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3. Use the Right Grooming Tools
Once you have bathed your dog, use a towel to dry him. If you own a short haired Jack Russell Terrier, it is not a good idea to use a blow dryer since it can end up burning them if the heat is too much. Blow dryers are meant to be used for long-haired pups.
After drying your pooch, you should brush your canine friend. Use a stiff bristled dog brush or a rubber brush and not any brush.
Here’s how to go about it.
Use a rubber brush to remove dead hair and large material from your dog. Avoid tugging or pulling on his hair. Finally, use a stiff bristled dog brush to get rid of dirt and fine hairs.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner to clean your carpets and give your home a tidier look if there are hairs strewn all over.
4. Give Your Dog Proper Nutrition
Proper nutrition is necessary to reduce Jack Russell Terrier shedding.
Make sure you feeding your dog with the right amount of high quality dog food to minimize shedding and also help you dog live a healthier and longer life.
Feeding your Jack Russell Terrier with high quality dog food containing carbohydrates and proteins can help enhance coat health and reduce excess shedding.
Another thing that will improve the health of your dog’s coat is to add fish oil to his diet. These tablets will help make his coat smoother and stronger for a long period of time.
Dogs with shedding problems can also benefit from vet recommended food supplements.
One supplement that is highly recommended for Jack Russell Terriers with shedding problems is NaturVet Brewer’s Dried Yeast Formula. These tablets are a good source of Omega 3, 6 and 9 along with B-complex Vitamins. This formula can help stop excess shedding and enhance the health of your dog’s coat and skin.
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5. Make Sure Your Jack Russell Terrier’s Diet Has Enough Moisture:
Another important piece of advice is to ensure that your dog’s diet has enough moisture. In addition to providing your dog with fresh drinking water, you need to provide him with enough moisture.
If a Jack Russell Terrier’s diet comprises dry dog food only, their coat will lack the necessary moisture, thereby making their hair to become brittle and to fall off easily.
Adding moisture-producing foods in reasonable amounts, such as carrots, apples, cantaloupe, green beans and lean meat, will help improve your dog’s moisture quotient.
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If you’re interested in adopting/buying a Jack Russell Terrier, you need to know that he will shed.
Jack Russell shedding is an integral part of owning these lovable dogs, so make sure you can do the necessary grooming and ensure your pet is well taken care of.
For a comprehensive guide to the most common dog health issues, be sure to check out the Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.
Featured Image Credit: Flickr/ Leonora (Ellie) Enking