Hand Stripping

A small, fluffy brown dog sitting on a grooming table outdoors, with its tongue out and looking at the camera.

(Before…)

Hand stripping is the practice of pulling wire hair rather than cutting it, and is the method used to groom terriers for show. Any wire coated dog whose coat comes out easily can be hand stripped. It provides not only a natural finish and vibrant color, but also is healthier for the skin and keeps the dog cleaner. 

Pulling hair is possible because the wire coat has some unique features that are not found in other coat types. Guard hairs will grow to a certain point and then stop, but will not shed on their own. Instead, they must be pulled out in order to stimulate new hair to grow. Contact me if you are unsure if it is right for your dog. 

A small tan and brown dog standing on a stone step near a sliding glass door and a potted plant.

(…After!)

Services Included

  • Some dogs are stripped to maintain the health of the wire coat, others are stripped to maintain a certain style. Style maintenance requires more frequent grooming.

  • Due to the nature of wire coats to have body and pull out easily, usually most tangles can be worked out with a brush. Sensitive areas can be trimmed to ensure the dog’s comfort.

  • Ears are cleaned gently with a cotton ball, or flushed with ear cleaner to remove heavier buildup. Minimal plucking of ear canal.

  • Nail are trimmed to remove length and also filed to smooth.

  • Even pure hand strip dogs are too sensitive on the bottoms of their feet and in their groin area, so these spots are trimmed.

  • Removing the undercoat from a wire coat helps it lie flat and appear smooth.