Jack Russell Terriers are often only known as a dog with white colored fur and brown spots and the ability to jump incredibly high.
While that’s exactly what my Jack Russell Terrier is, that’s not the only kind of Jack Russell Terrier that exist or that you could potentially adopt.
Jack Russell Terriers and Jack Russell mixed breeds can have coats known as smooth coat, rough coat, or broken coat.
For the sake of this discussion, I want to focus on the coat I understand best because it’s the coat that my 4-year-old Jack Russell Terrier has.
In this brief overview and a short discussion, we will discuss the differences between smooth coat Jack Russell Terriers and other coat types, as well as the appearance, grooming needs, cost, and pros and cons of owning a smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier.
Ultimately, understanding your Jack Russell’s coat type and the specific needs that will come with that coat, will help you provide the proper care and the proper hygiene to keep your JRT happy and healthy.
Let’s start with a basic overview of the smooth-coat Jack Russell Terrier and then dive into the specifics.
Smooth Coat Jack Russell Terrier
The smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier is one of three coat types of the Jack Russell Terrier breed, the other two being rough coat and broken coat.
The smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier has a short, dense coat that is smooth to the touch.
They are typically small, standing between 10 to 15 inches tall and weighing between 13 to 17 pounds.
I currently own and raise a smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier and I would say the best way you can describe this coat for a JRT is smooth and shiny.
Assuming proper grooming is part of your regimen.
This is also the coat you will notice that the facial hair is shorter and more neat compared to the rough coat or broken coat Jack Russell Terriers.
The smooth coat is also the easiest coat (grooming and care-wise) you can choose to adopt when bringing home a new Jack Russell Terrier but we will touch on this more later in the discussion.
Colors You Can Adopt with a Smooth Coat Jack Russell Terrier
Overall, the smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier has a sleek and shiny coat that can be white, tan, black, or a combination of these colors.
Here is a more detailed overview of the coat colors you can expect with a smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier:
Tan and White: This color combination is very popular and is characterized by a white coat with tan markings on the head, ears, and tail.
This is also the color of my female Jack Russell (Luna)
Luna is a silky white with the typical brown markings you see with a good majority of Jack Russell Terriers.
Especially any of the Jack Russell Terriers that you may be familiar with from TV or movies.
Black and Tan: A smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier with black and tan coloring will have a black coat with tan markings on the face, ears, chest, and legs.
This is a little less popular when it comes to the coat colors you will see a Jack Russell Terrier, but smooth coats can still be a black and tan combination.
Tricolor: Some smooth coat Jack Russell Terriers may have a combination of white, black, and tan coloring, creating a tricolor effect.
The areas of the actual colors or markings on the dog will vary.
Grooming Needs of the Smooth Coat Jack Russell Terrier
One of the advantages of owning a smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier is their low maintenance grooming needs.
This is one of the luxuries I’ve enjoyed most raising my Jack Russell Terrier over the past 4 years.
She is one of the easiest dogs to care for when it comes to grooming needs.
Their short and smooth coat requires minimal brushing, with a weekly brushing session being enough to keep their coat healthy and shiny.
While doing the minimum is perfectly fine, I do recommend going
I do however recommend brushing as often as possible.
Brushing can be done as much as time permits.
Jack Russells do shed moderately, so regular brushing will also help keep the shedding under control.
Bathing is only necessary when they get dirty, and their nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from getting too long.
Unless your Jack Russell finds a way to get dirty, I’d recommend spreading baths out about every 4-6 weeks.
No more is necessary for the smooth coat Jack Russell and overbathing can lead to dry skin which in turn can lead to increased shedding and more problems than needed.
Cost to Adopt a Smooth Coat Jack Russell Terrier
The coat of a Jack Russell is not going to have any impact on the actual cost to adopt a JRT.
The coat is only a bi-product of the parent JRTs from the breeder you are choosing to work with.
The cost to adopt a smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier can and will vary depending on the breeder and location.
On average, you can expect to pay between $500 to $1,500 for a smooth coat Jack Russell Terrier puppy just like you could expect to pay for any coat of a Jack Russell Terrier.
When I adopted Luna, it was exactly 1000.00 and she is a smooth coat pure-bred JRT to give you a better idea of the pricing for this specific puppy.
Pros and Cons of a Smooth Coat Jack Russell Terrier
Smooth-coat Jack Russell Terriers, broken-coat Jack Russell Terriers, and rough-coat Jack Russell Terriers are all great dogs, but they each have their own unique set of drawbacks and positives you should be aware of prior to the adoption to ensure you are going to be capable of providing proper care.
Here are some pros and cons of owning a smooth-coat Jack Russell Terrier compared to other coat types:
Pros
- Low-maintenance grooming needs
- Less shedding compared to rough-coat Jack Russell Terriers
- Smooth and sleek appearance
Cons
- Not as well-suited for cold weather compared to rough coat Jack Russell Terriers
- May be more prone to skin irritations due to their shorter coat
- May not have as much protection against rough terrain compared to broken coat Jack Russell Terriers
- Pin-needle style shedding (harder to clean up)
When deciding on which coat type to choose, it is important to consider your lifestyle and preferences.
If you live in a warmer climate and prefer a dog with a sleek and shiny appearance, then a smooth-coat Jack Russell Terrier may be the right choice for you.
Additionally, if you plan to allow your Jack Russell to be outdoors often, it’s important that you protect a smooth coat JRT from the cold elements and even too much sun exposure.
Or at least, be aware that these are real concerns so you can plan accordingly.
The Takeaway
The smooth-coat Jack Russell Terrier is a great dog for those looking for a low-maintenance and sleek-looking companion.
That’s my take on the smooth coat JRT.
It’s been a breeze to care for Luna and as mentioned earlier, one of the lowest-maintenance dogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of raising.
Regardless of the coat type, Jack Russell Terriers are loyal, energetic, and playful dogs that make great companions for individuals and families alike.
Luna and I wish you the best of luck if you do plan on adopting a Jack Russell soon.