Textured hair only grows in when the previous hair is removed completely (from the root). Cutting or clipping the hair leaves the root in place, and new hairs grow in soft and ‘wispy’.

Soft hair is not ideal:

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• It creates a nightmare of mats and tangles that are difficult to manage.

• Your dog’s coat may lose it’s natural colour and appear faded or grey.

• Soft hairs retain bad odours and become difficult to clean.

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Often times new owners of wire-coated breeds will unknowingly damage their dog’s coat by clipping or shaving it.

 

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Will Handstripping Hurt My Dog?

This is the first and, understandably, the biggest concern of most of my new handstripping clients.

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The answer is no. It does not hurt, nor should it cause any pain or discomfort.

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Many of my client dogs fall asleep during the process.

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Wire haired dogs go through a natural cycle in which hair growth reaches a maximum length and is ready to be removed. We usually call this a “blown coat” At this point, the hairs are easily pulled out and cause no discomfort.

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Which Dogs Get Hand Stripped?

Any dog with a wiry coat that is easily removed can get hand stripped. This includes most Terrier breeds, as well as some sporting or hound breeds. Many mixed terrier type dogs also have a ‘strippable’ coat. 

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Based on AKC standards, here are the breeds that are hand stripped. 

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F = Fully stripped 

C = Combo – Stripped and Clipped / Scissored 

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Hound:

Dachshund – Wirecoat – F

 

Toy:

Affenpinscher – F

Brussels Griffon – F

 

Sporting:

German Wirehaired Pointer – F

 

Terriers:

Airedale Terrier – F

Australian Terrier – F

Border Terrier – F

Carin Terrier – F

Dandie Dinmont Terrier – C

Glen of Imaal – R

Irish Terrier – F

Miniature Schnauzer – C

Norfolk Terrier – F

Norwich Terrier – F

Parson Russell Terrier – F

Jack Russell Terrier – F

Scottish Terrier – C

Sealyham Terrier-  F

Welsh Terrier – F

West Highland White Terrier – F/C *some choose to strip the skirts, this is more proper but not always possible.

Wire Fox Terrier – F

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Working:

Giant Schnauzer – C

Standard Schnauzer – C

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Misc:

Portugese Podengo – F