The Long-Haired Jack Russell Terrier is a relatively rare type of Jack Russell dog. His unique appearance slightly sets him apart from his regular counterparts.
Let us break down the differences and similarities between the Long-Haired Jack Russell and the dogs commonly seen in the breed.
What Is a Long-Haired Jack Russell Terrier?
The Long-Haired Jack Russell Terrier is one of the breed’s three coat types. When born, Jack Russell puppies can have smooth, broken, or rough coats.
Rough-Coated or Long-Haired Jack Russells have fur that sticks out in different directions. The length of their coats is around 1 to 2 inches long. Out of the three coat types, he has the longest hair.
On the other hand, Smooth-Coated Jack Russells have short, straight hair that grows in one direction. The Broken-Coated variety is a balance between the two.
Are Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers a Separate Breed?
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What Does the Long-Haired Jack Russell Terrier Look Like?
Similar to other Jack Russell Terriers, the coat colours of the Long-Haired variety may come in solid white or predominantly white with black, tan, or brown markings.
How Big Are Full-Grown Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers?
Jack Russell Terriers were primarily bred to hunt down small prey such as vermin, foxes, and raccoons. Thus, all of them are small dogs, including the Rough-Coated Jack Russells.
They can grow up to 25 to 38 centimetres (10 to 15 inches) tall at the withers and weigh between 6 and 8 kilos (14 to 18 pounds).
The body of any Jack Russell Terrier is proportionally longer than tall with a rectangular build. The dog breed is endowed with a slim but muscular physique, which makes him hardy and quick on his feet.
Do Kennel Clubs Recognise Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers?
Regardless of the breed’s coat type, Jack Russell Terriers need to conform to certain criteria, such as the ones below, for them to be considered up to the breed standards:
- The coat colour should be composed of 51% white
- The coats should be dense and hard, not silky or woolly
- The coats preferably must be all-natural with minimal trimming
- The entire body including the belly and underside must be covered in fur
Are Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers Rare?
Long-Haired Jack Russells are quite rare and less commonly seen than Short-Haired ones.
Most fanciers of the breed tend to gravitate toward the latter since the Smooth-Coated variety has lower grooming maintenance.
Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers require weekly brushing with a wide-tooth comb. Excess hair around their face, genital area, and feet need a little trimming every 8 to 10 weeks.
Every twice a year, their coats should be stripped of dead hair. Since it is a complicated and tedious process, it would be best for a professional groomer to handle it.
Bathing Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers must only be done once a month or when they are very filthy.
Frequent washing is not ideal as it could dry out their skin and make their fur brittle, which can lead to excessive shedding.
Are Long-haired Jack Russell Terriers Heavy Shedders?
Are Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers Good Family Dogs?
Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers bond well with kids when appropriately introduced. Whilst these small dogs do not have an aversion to strangers, they will alert their owners if unfamiliar people present as a threat.
With proper training and socialisation, they can become reliable watchdogs.
Training-wise, Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers are highly intelligent and quick to learn. However, their liveliness may lead them to lose focus and get into mischief.
Thus, keep training sessions short since it allows them to concentrate better. Motivate them with positive reinforcement and avoid doling out harsh punishments, which can make training a scary activity for them.
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How Long Do Long–Haired Jack Russells Live?
Long-haired Jack Russells live up to 13 or 16 years if given proper care. Because they were bred for hunting, they are hardy canines by nature.
However, no dog is impervious to health issues. These pooches may develop hereditary problems commonly affecting the breed such as:
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
It is an orthopedic disorder prevalent in terriers and small-breed dogs. The gradual degeneration of the femur causes this medical condition to crop up.
If not given timely treatment, LeggCalve-Perthes disease will eventually result in lameness.
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome
It is a progressive congenital neuromuscular disease that induces grave muscle weakness in dogs as young as 12 to 16 weeks.
In some cases, dogs affected with this disease develop a resistance to treatment. If the health issue becomes more severe, the vet may suggest euthanasia.
Congenital Deafness
Research indicates that the dominance of white colour in dogs’ coats is linked to inborn loss of hearing. However, more studies needed to be carried out to pinpoint the gene responsible for causing this ailment.
Choosing a trustworthy and ethical breeder lowers the risk of owning a Long-Haired Jack Russell Terrier that is prone to hereditary issues.
Make sure their dogs including the sires and dams are health-tested, which prevents producing sickly offspring. Before bringing home your choice of puppy, ask the breeder for the pup’s health certificates so you know that he is free from diseases.
FAQs About Long-Haired Jack Russell Terrier
1. What Are the 3 Types of Jack Russells?
The 3 types of Jack Russells are classified according to their coat type, namely Smooth-Coated, Rough-Coated, and Broken-Coated.
Smooth-Coated Jack Russells have short, straight hair. Rough-coated varieties, also known as Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers, possess longer hair that grows in different directions.
Lastly, Broken-Coated Jack Russells have fur that is a mix between the first 2 coat types.
2. Is a Long-Haired Jack Russell Purebred?
Yes, the Long-Haired Jack Russell is purebred. Although he looks slightly different from regular Jack Russells, his personality, temperament, and certain aspects of their physical traits are no different from theirs.
3. Can You Shave a Long-Haired Jack Russell?
Whilst you can shave a Long-Haired Jack Russell dog, it is not recommended, especially if you intend to let him join in kennel club competitions. Otherwise, he will be at risk of disqualification. Reserve shaving for serious circumstances such as medical reasons.
4. Are Long-Haired Jack Russells Good Pets?
Generally, Long-Haired Jack Russells are good pets. They are more suitable for active people due to their high energy levels.
These small canines are capable of watchdog duty. But they need to receive proper training and socialisation so they can precisely single out individuals who pose a danger to their owners.
Conclusion
Long-Haired Jack Russell Terriers are sometimes mistaken as a separate dog breed. However, they are purebred dogs that take on a slightly different appearance from regular Jack Russells.
Most of their traits are similar to most Jack Russell Terrier dogs, but they have higher grooming needs due to their long coats.
Take this into consideration if you ever want to own a Long-Haired Jack Russell Terrier as a canine companion.
Read our article about “5 Fascinating Jack Russell Facts“ to get to know the breed better.
