Grooming a wire-haired dog

Some dog breeds – generally speaking all wire-haired breeds – need to be groomed by hand stripping the coat. In hand stripping the hair is not cut, but removed by stripping the old coat amongst the new one. By doing this you give some needed space for the new coat to grow. Frequent stripping is needed in order to keep the dog’s coat healthy and good-looking around the year.

How often hand-stripping the coat is needed?

The frequency of grooming required depends on the breed, type and unique characteristics of coat. For example, one dachshund might need to be groomed just few times per year while another one requires grooming every second month. Some professional groomers and breeders recommend coats to be stripped every 6 or 8 weeks in order to keep the coat healthy and neat all the time. In general, you can strip the coat whenever the old coat can be easily removed.

Hand-stripping the coat

The purpose of hand-stripping is to remove the old hair that grows no more. It’s extremely important NOT to clip the hair. It must be totally removed from the root. Hand-stripping is done always towards the same direction where the hair grows by taking few hairs between your fingers – usually forefinger and thumb – and by doing a prompt stripping pull. It’s recommended to keep the dog’s skin tight with the other hand to avoid stretching while pulling the hair.

Benefits of hand stripping

When done frequently, hand stripping ensures that coat is clean and healthy. Trash and snow doesn’t adhere as easily, and the dog feels more comfortable. In addition, you keep your home and surroundings clean from old and loosen dog hair.

Dog breeds that need to be groomed by hand

Jack Russell Terrier, rough coat
Parson Russell Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Border Terrier
Australian Terrier
Airedale Terrier
Irish Terrier
Fox Terrier
Lakeland Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
German Hunting Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Skottish Terrier
Griffons Belge
Brussels Griffon
Monkey Pincher
Miniature Schnauzer
Schnautzer
Giant Schnautzer
Wh Rabbit Dachshund
Wh Miniature Dachshund
Wh Dachshund
Kromfohrländer
Belgium Shepherd, laekenois
Wirehaired Dutch shepherd
Irish wolfhound
Skottish Deerhound
Wirehaired Germanpointer
Wirehaired Vizsla
Korthals Griffon
Rough-coated Bohemian-Pointer
Basset Fauve de Bretange
Petit Passet Griffon Vendeen
Grand Passet Griffon Vendeen
Glen of Imaal Terrieri