Hand Stripping

Hand stripping is a grooming process that involves removing dead hairs from the coat by hand instead of clipping to keep the coat tidy and healthy. Usually completed twice a year in spring and autumn, it speeds up the natural process of growth and shedding.

True hand stripping is precisely that – the groomer plucks the outer guard hairs from the coat entirely by hand when the coat is blown. It is common practise however to use tools such as stripping knives and stones to help with the process.

WHAT DOG BREEDS CAN BE HAND STRIPPED?

Dogs with wiry coats tend to need hand stripping to groom to breed standard. This includes most of the Terrier group. Other breeds that require hand stripping include:

• Schnauzers
• Cocker Spaniels
• Irish Wolf Hounds
• Wire Fox Terrier
• Wire-haired Pointers
• Wire-haired Dachshunds
• Border Terriers
• Airedale Terrier
• Cairn Terrier

ABOUT WIRY COAT HAIR GROWTH

There are 4 stages to wire hair growth,

• Anagen Phase: This is when hair follicles move into the GROWTH PHASE.
• Catagen Phase: This is the TRANSITION PHASE when hair stops growing and the outer root sheath attaches to the hair.
• Telogen Phase: The RESTING PHASE when the hair is at a standstill and does not grow or shed.
• Exogen Phase: The FALLOUT PHASE where the hair falls out and a new hair grows

Once the hair is in the Telogen Phase then the dog is ready to be hand stripped, this is as the root follicle detaches from the dermal papilla allowing the hair to be pulled without causing harm or distress to the dog.

WHY IS HANDSTRIPPING THE BEST METHOD FOR WIREY HAIRED DOGS?

Hand stripping targets the older hairs that are in the exogen phase of growth. These older dull hairs are easy to pull out and by doing so they leave room for new stronger hairs to grow through. This ensures that the coat will have a fuller, shinier texture and a more vibrant colour

It’s recommended instead of clipping or scissor cutting because rather than removing old hairs these methods simply cut the old dull hairs. In doing so fresh new hairs don’t have the room to grow through. More importantly, by clipping your wiry haired dog’s coat you can prevent the coat growing properly and it may not be possible to handstrip in future.