[fairlilac]

Does anyone know of a groomer who does hand stripping in the metropolitan area of Philadelphia? Needed for my 2 Norwich Terriers. Thanks. Linda

[arcycat]

Hi!
Does anyone know of a really good source to learn how to strip a Westie? So far the books I have don't seem detailed enough for me to do it right.
Thanks for any help.

[Poohbear]

I have a long haired JRT, and I have just clipped, before. Of course, I have heard of stripping, but thought what the hey, so how do you actually do it? This spring took her to the groomers, and had the smooth cut. My man hated it, said she looked anorexic. He wanted a beard of sorts, and the longer hair that is normal for her. Okay, I bought a clipper at wal-mart, and this fall with my daughter's help, we buzzed her. yeah she has the little beard, and is longer on the legs, but even watching the DVD I could not get the results I expected. She is to put it mildly, scruffy.
So how do you actually strip? Just take the knife, and saw? Nowhere have I seen how to use the knives. I wouild appriceate (sp) help!

[westie4me]

Hi

I am in Ontario, Canada and want to either learn or find someone that hand strips westies for show. Thanks

Kim

[marksiwel]

Originally Posted by arcycat

Hi!
Does anyone know of a really good source to learn how to strip a Westie? So far the books I have don't seem detailed enough for me to do it right.
Thanks for any help.

Just dont. If you want it done go to a pro. The real question is this, why do you want to do that to your dog?
If he isnt a show dog, and he is used to the clippers, why change?

Its also really $$$ to do. Just clip his back. Quick, Easy, Painless, and its like what 25-30? Maybe 40.

[marksiwel]

Originally Posted by Raggs

If someone wants to learn how to do their dog, don't stop them. Coming from a groomer (me) we love it when people take care of their dogs at home, it helps us out. I've had countless people bring their dogs into me that want them hand stripped but don't bother doing it at home themselves. Groomers are magicians and we don't have magic wands. We can't do stripping all on our own if we only see the dog once every few weeks.

My suggestion is to find a groomer who will teach you how to hand strip and then practice at home. Good luck.

Coming from a Groomer (Myself) I dont think people are often told of the downsides of putting their dog who has been Clipped for YEARS and then suddenly thrust into the postion of having someone with a Blade and then intent to rip thier hair out, is a good idea.

If you want to do it. Learn from a Pro, thats good advice. But I still feel the need to question why you would want to.

I bet Cows Milk tastes better if you milk it yourself, but I'm happy with my 2%

[Sealy you later]

I recently acquired an 18 month old Sealyham Terrirer that had been shown. She had always been hand stripped and was used to it. I could tell a significant difference in her coat and the coat of the Scotties I had previously owned that had always been clippered. For example, she sheds dirt like a dream. She can roll in a mud puddle and be perfectly white within 2 minutes. That stiff top coat makes all the difference. Also, the condition of her skin seems to be much better than the other terriers I've owned.

I had never groomed a dog in my life, but I was determined to learn. I ordered DVDs that the ASTC had available and bought all the tools. Finding someone in my area who knew how was a problem. I finally located a wire fox breeder who has been kind enough to share her experience with me.

I understand that it can be tough to go from years of clippering to stripping. In fact, some say the hard coat may never come in. But for someone with a pup or a dog that has always been stripped, I say go for it! If I can do it, anyone can. It is the way those coats were intended to be groomed and it provides a great bonding opportunity for you and your dog.

[De-Shedding Service]

Hand-Stripping is a process by which the top coat is pulled in order to allow for a better wire coat to grow in. For show, many dogs are hand stripped because it makes the hair go back flatter and smoother.

Hand stripping is a simulation of the stripping that is caused when wire haired terriers run through the brush. Bushes pull some of their coat out while they hunt. If an animal grabs onto the dog, the coat will be tugged out. The skin will remain more protected than it would with a soft coat.

The result is hair that lies flat to the body. Why is this desirable? Well, with terriers, you want the wire hair to act as armor. It protects the skin. The undercoat absorbs dirt, takes in water like a sponge, and leaves the skin unprotected from wind blowing it up. This armor keeps the dog drier and protects from wind and from the sun. It performs as a general shield.

Hand stripping is a process that should NOT be performed by somebody unless that person knows how to do it. The hair must be prepared to come out. Different areas are ready during different times. It is also VERY easy to break and ruin the top coat hair. It is also VERY easy to irritate the skin.

As long as you are not showing your dog, the hand stripping doesn't have to be done to an extreme. Hand stripping can be a very costly way to groom a dog because of the time it takes into doing it properly and the care that goes into it.

I specialize in hand stripping and de-shedding as well. I practice in NY. If you have any further questions, feel free.

[pathaave]

De-shedding, I have read your post on here and I am very very interested in hand stripping my welsh terrier who is 4 months old. Are there any books or videos I can order to help me learn how to do this? I have tried that furminator and it has made his coat very uneven and not sure I like it at all. I also have one stripping knife its a coarse one, I haven't used it yet, I got it at petsmart, they didn't have a fine one. Please let me know how I can learn how to pluck or strip my baby...
Thanks
Pat

[thegroomingpad]

Its not only westies, scotties, border terriers etc that get stripped, Schnauzers also can get stripped, I do a few in the shop and they look great, when done regularly. As for the husky, its just undercoat, lots of grooming should help, but they do molt usually twice a year anyway and if they live in, it can be all year round due to the articifial heat.
The Grooming Pad
Ann