What Is Hand Stripping And Is It Right For Your Dog?

Hand stripping is a specialist grooming technique used to maintain the natural texture, colour and condition of certain wire-coated dog breeds. Unlike clipping, which cuts the hair, hand stripping removes mature, dead coat from the root to allow new coat to grow through.

What is Hand Stripping?

Hand stripping is the process of carefully removing mature, dead hairs from a dog's coat by hand.

Certain breeds have a harsh or wire-coated outer layer that grows differently from many other coat types. Once the hair has reached the end of its growth cycle, it becomes mature and ready to be removed.

A professional groomer will gently remove these mature hairs in the direction of the coat growth, allowing fresh, new coat to grow through.

Despite the name, hand stripping doesn't simply mean pulling out hair. It requires knowledge of coat growth, breed type and understanding when the coat is ready to be removed.

Specialist tools may sometimes be used to help grip the hair, but the process should always be carried out carefully and with consideration for the individual dog.

How Is a Dog Hand Stripped?

Hand stripping is a detailed and time-consuming grooming process.

Before beginning, we will assess the condition and maturity of the dog's coat. Not every part of the coat will necessarily be ready to remove at the same time.

The mature coat is then carefully removed by hand, using professional tools and techniques, in small sections, working in the direction of hair growth. Different parts of the body may require different techniques depending on the breed and the desired finish.

Some areas may be hand stripped, while others may be tidied using scissors or other grooming techniques.

Because the coat is removed carefully by hand, a hand stripping appointment will take longer than a standard clipping appointment, usually anywhere from 2.5 - 4 hours.

Does Hand Stipping hurt?  

When carried out correctly, removing mature coat should not be painful for your dog.

The key is understanding when the coat is ready to be removed. Mature hair should release relatively easily from the follicle, whereas attempting to remove hair that isn't ready can be uncomfortable.

This is why hand stripping should be carried out by a groomer who understands:

• Different coat types
• Coat growth cycles
• Breed-specific grooming
• When a coat is ready to be stripped
• How to work at a comfortable pace for the dog

Every dog is different, and some may need time to become familiar with the process. We will always consider the individual dog's comfort and tolerance throughout the appointment.

What Are The Benefits of Hand Stripping?

  It Maintains Their Natural Coat Texture

Wire-coated breeds were developed to have a harsh, weather-resistant outer coat.

Hand stripping helps to maintain this natural texture by removing the mature coat and allowing new, harsh coat to grow through.

When certain wire coats are repeatedly clipped, they can gradually become softer and fluffier.

 It Can Help Maintain Coat Colour

Hand stripping can help maintain the deeper, richer colour of a wire coat.

With some breeds, regular clipping can cause the coat colour to become lighter or faded over time. Removing the mature coat allows new coat to grow through and can help preserve the dog's natural colouring.

 It Helps Maintain the Traditional Breed Appearance

Many wire-coated breeds have a distinctive appearance that is created through specialist grooming.

Hand stripping helps maintain the texture, shape and characteristic look associated with these breeds.

This can be particularly important for owners who want to maintain a more traditional appearance, although hand stripping isn't only for show dogs.

It Supports the Natural Coat Cycle

Removing mature coat allows new hair to grow through and can help maintain the coat's natural growth cycle.

For dogs with the correct coat type, regular hand stripping can help prevent the old, dead coat from becoming trapped and affecting the appearance and texture of new growth.

What Breeds Can Be Hand Stripped?

Hand stripping is generally suitable for dogs with a harsh, wire top coat and some Silky coats too.

Some breeds that may be suitable include:

• Border Terriers
• West Highland White Terriers
• Scottish Terriers
• Norfolk Terriers
• Norwich Terriers
• Lakeland Terriers
• Welsh Terriers
• Airedale Terriers
• Irish Terriers
•  Schnauzers
• Wirehaired Dachshunds
• And many more

Spaniels with a silky coat can also been stripped using different tools and techniques. 

However, not every dog within these breeds will have exactly the same coat.

Genetics, previous grooming history and individual coat type can all affect whether hand stripping is suitable. Some crossbreeds may also have coats that can be hand stripped.

A professional coat assessment is the best way to determine whether your dog is suitable.

Can a Dog Be Hand Stripped After Being Clipped?

This is one of the most common questions owners ask.

In some cases, a dog can return to hand stripping after being clipped once, but it isn't always straightforward.

Repeated clipping can change the texture of some wire coats. The harsh outer layer may become softer, and the coat may no longer respond to hand stripping in the same way.

Some dogs can successfully transition back to hand stripping, while others may not develop the same type of coat again.

The best approach is to allow the coat to grow and have it assessed by an experienced groomer. They can then discuss what may be possible and help you decide on the most appropriate grooming plan.

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