Hand-stripping |
What is hand-stripping?Hand-stripping is a traditional grooming technique used to maintain the proper coat texture for many wire-coated or flat-coated breeds. Stripping tools are used to pull out dead hair, allowing new hair to grow through correctly, resulting in a harder coat that is more brilliant in colour. Which breeds can be hand-stripped? Some of the more popular breeds that can be hand-stripped are:
Hand-stripping or Clipping? Many people prefer their wire-coated dogs to be clipped as it is quick and less time consuming. However, if the dog is shown or if you want a more traditional looking coat then hand stripping is strongly recommended. As mentioned, stripping will maintain the proper texture and colour of the coat. Continual clipping can result in a loss of colour and a softer ‘downy’ coat. Once a coat is clipped, it can be difficult, if not impossible to regain its original texture. Please bear in mind that hand-stripping is a labour intensive procedure and will be more expensive then clipping. How often should a dog be stripped and from what age? As a general rule, dogs can be hand-stripped from six months. Each breed will require a different interval between strips. Typically, hand-stripping will be on a less frequent basis then clipping. In some instances, your dog will require a ‘tidying’ groom inbetween hand-strips to keep the coat neat. Please consult your groomer for advice. Does hand-stripping hurt? No. Not if it is done correctly and at the right time. A professional groomer will only hand-strip a dog when the hairs are ‘dead’ and ready to be removed. At this time, the hairs will come away easily without causing the dog any discomfort. |
