How to Groom a Wire-Haired Parson Russell Terrier?

Parson Russell terriers, formerly known as Jack Russell terriers, come in rough- and smooth-coated varieties.

Grooming your wire-haired Parson Russell terrier is more time-consuming than challenging. It is accomplished by hand or with the use of a stripping comb, sometimes referred to as a stripping knife or stripper. The procedure is painless when done correctly and should be repeated at least twice a year with maintenance in between. For pet Parson Russell terriers, it is acceptable to clip sensitive areas rather than stripping to avoid discomfort.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Stripping comb
• Dog shampoo
• Towel
• Firm-bristle grooming brush

1. Bathe your Parson Russell terrier with a dog shampoo, if necessary, and dry thoroughly before grooming. Parson Russell terriers should be bathed only two to three times a year.

2. Comb the coat in the direction it grows -- against the direction of growth will cause pain -- with the stripping comb. This can also be done using your hands in a method called, "hand stripping," in which the same procedure is followed, but you use your hands instead of a comb to pull the hair out.

3. Continue combing out the hair until a soft, smooth look is achieved. This effectively clears out all the dead wiry hair from the undercoat, allowing fresh hair to fill in. Your Parson Russell terrier's coat should be stripped at least twice a year.

4. Run a firm-bristle brush for dogs over the coat at the end of the stripping session. This will pick up any remaining hairs and give the coat a smooth, finished look. Brushing should be repeated weekly between strippings.

Tips & Warnings

• Bathe your Parson Russell terrier only when necessary with an appropriate dog shampoo.

• Remove long hairs that do not lay with the coat in between stripping sessions.

• It will take a few stripping sessions to achieve the desired look. Your terrier may look bare or naked after its first stripping session.

• Do not clip the coat of a wire-haired terrier. This severs the hollow hair follicle and prevents any new growth from coming in. It will also ruin the texture of their rough coat.

• If you take your Parson Russell terrier to a professional groomer, make sure you are clear about the final result, as some groomers will take "stripping" as shaving the dog bare.

References

• American Kennel Club: AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Parson Russell Terrier
• Pet Planet: Parson Russell Terrier
• Dog Breed Info Center: Parson Russell Terrier
• TLC Grooming: Hand Stripping