The best brush for a Jack Russell
The right brush for a Jack Russell depends on which of the three coat types they have. A smooth-coated Jack Russell needs little more than a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt to lift loose hair, while broken and rough-coated dogs benefit from a slicker brush or grooming rake that gets down to the undercoat.
Working out which coat you have
Jack Russells are recognised in three coat types — smooth, broken and rough — and it genuinely changes what grooming tool does the job well. A smooth coat lies flat and close to the body with a glossy finish, a broken coat has slightly longer, wiry hair especially around the face and legs, and a rough coat is longer and wiry all over.
All three sit on top of a dense undercoat that sheds steadily through the year, with a heavier drop in spring and autumn. That undercoat is really what a brush needs to reach, rather than the visible top coat alone.
Smooth coats: a rubber curry brush or mitt
For a smooth-coated Jack Russell, a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt worked over the coat lifts loose and dead hair while giving the skin a gentle massage most dogs enjoy. It is a quick, low-effort routine that suits how short and close the coat lies.
A short, soft-bristled brush works as an alternative and is gentler around bony areas like the hips and shoulders, which some smooth-coated terriers can be a little sensitive about.
Broken and rough coats: a slicker brush or rake
Broken and rough coats need something that reaches the denser undercoat underneath the wiry top hair, which is where a slicker brush or a grooming rake earns its keep. Regular brushing here does more than tidy the coat — it prevents the matting that wiry hair is prone to, particularly behind the ears and around the legs.
Hand-stripping is the traditional way to maintain a correct rough or broken coat long-term, removing dead hair by hand rather than cutting it, though a good brushing routine at home covers most owners' needs between anything more involved.
How often to brush
A couple of times a week is enough for most Jack Russells, rising to daily during the spring and autumn moults when the undercoat sheds more heavily. Regular short sessions are easier on both of you than an occasional long one, and they double as a chance to check the skin and coat for anything that needs attention.
Whichever coat type your dog has, brushing outdoors or over an easily swept floor saves a good deal of hoovering, particularly during a heavy shed.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Ancol Ergo Wooden Handle Slicker Brush
A stainless steel slicker brush on a wooden handle, for short, long, wiry and curly coats
From£6.99
Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades
High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.
From£37.99
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb: a SGL grooming comb for combing the coat
£8.79
Ancol Ergo Soft Bristle Brush
A soft bristle brush for dogs, for gentle grooming around the ears and face
£7.79
Ancol Ergo Grooming Glove
A rubber grooming glove for dogs, for removing loose hair on wet or dry coats
£9.79
Wahl Pet Grooming Scissors with Finger Rest
Stainless steel finishing scissors with ergonomic offset handles — perfect for tidying around eyes, ears, mouth, and paws.
£5.49
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Slicker Brush for Dogs — Detangling & De-shedding
An ergonomic slicker brush with anti-scratch pins that works through tangles and removes dead hair from top and undercoat.
From£9.99
Groom Professional Curved Soft Slicker Brush
A professional-grade curved slicker brush with soft pins, designed to groom delicate and soft-coated pets without discomfort.
From£8.99
Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb
A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.
From£8.99
Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush
A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.
£25.99
Common questions
- Do smooth-coated Jack Russells shed a lot?
- Yes — a smooth coat can be deceptive, because despite looking short and neat it sheds steadily year-round with heavier drops in spring and autumn. Regular brushing with a rubber curry brush or mitt keeps loose hair off furniture rather than eliminating shedding altogether.
- Should I clip a rough-coated Jack Russell?
- Clipping tends to soften a wiry coat's texture over time and can make it lose some of its weatherproof quality, which is why hand-stripping is generally preferred for showing or maintaining the correct texture. For a pet at home, regular brushing and an occasional trim is a perfectly reasonable lower-maintenance approach.
- How do I stop my Jack Russell's coat matting behind the ears?
- Check and brush that area specifically a couple of times a week, since it is one of the spots broken and rough coats mat first. A slicker brush or a fine comb worked through gently catches early tangles before they tighten into a proper mat.
- Is a de-shedding tool worth it for a Jack Russell?
- It can help during the spring and autumn moults when the undercoat sheds heavily, particularly on broken and rough coats, but it is not something you need for daily use. A regular brush suited to the coat type covers most of the year fine on its own.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.