The Power Of Hand Stripping

There are many breeds out there that have—or are supposed to have—wiry coats, such as Schnauzers, Westies, Scotties, Cairn Terriers, and Welsh Terriers, just to name a few. These coats can become soft and dense when they are clipped. The proper way to groom these dogs, even as family pets, is through hand stripping. Let me explain why!

Hand Stripping:

When we hand strip the coat, we are gently pulling out the dead, loose topcoat. This makes room for the new, healthy coat to come in, keeping the color brighter and the hair strands stronger. The topcoat is supposed to be wiry and coarse. This texture helps natural oils spread evenly along the skin, preventing buildup in one area that can cause skin issues like dandruff. Allowing them to have their natural coat also protects their skin from weather elements; it creates a barrier where rain will mostly roll off the coat instead of soaking in. Mud also won't cling to the skin as quickly! Hand stripping aids the natural process of shedding so the undercoat doesn't get trapped. Ultimately, stripping prevents the hair follicles from clogging, which can otherwise lead to skin irritation, dandruff, and itchy skin.

When you book with us, simply click on "House Call Premium Groom" for your pet's weight and select hand stripping. Once you request an appointment, we will check to see if we can fit you into our route before confirming. If you are on our route, we will confirm right away! If not, we will reach out to see if there are any other days that could work for you.

Ozzy a Cairn Terrier who gets hand stripped every 3 months

Clipper Work:

When you use clippers on these breeds, the main benefits are that it is generally cheaper and quicker. However, even with quality shampoos, your pet's coat will eventually dull out and become softer and fluffier. Clipper work is when we take our blades—or guard combs attached to a blade—and actively cut the coat. This means the long, dead hair that is supposed to be pulled out stays in the follicle, causing the new strand coming in to curl. The undercoat is unable to shed properly, and oils can start to build up, causing irritation and dandruff. Your pup will get dirtier faster, and when it rains, they will come inside soaked.

Yes, they will still look cute in their haircut and smell good for a time, and they will certainly feel plush and soft! But if you really think about their needs and keeping their skin and coat at maximum health, clipping is not the way to go.

Trixie Clipper cut to a short breed standard

As your groomer, I will always respect your choice to clip or hand strip. But if your breeder didn't educate you on proper skin and coat health, or if you haven't had time to do the research, I will gladly educate you in person on the reasons why stripping is beneficial. One thing to keep in mind when getting a dog that should be stripped is whether you can afford the upkeep of professional hand stripping. If it's a stretch for your budget, that is perfectly okay! I can teach you how to stretch the time between grooms so you don't need us to come out as often, helping you manage the cost of grooming.

I hope you found this read educational and feel more empowered to have your pup stripped! We look forward to seeing you on our books in the near future. Feel free to request an appointment online by clicking "Schedule Now."