stripping?

Question

Does anyone have experience with stripping a coat? I usually have my Schnauzers shaved down, but am interested in stripping, especially on dark ones, how often is this done compared to shaving down? Is it painful for the dog and if it is a puppy when do you start?

Answer 1

I've been a groomer for 20 years. Hand stripping is an art in itself. It is usually only done on show dogs entering the ring. Is it painfull? Yes, it can be. In theory, hand stripping only pulls out the dead undercoat creating a shorter look on the back as compared to the legs, which are scissored, or "posted". However, an inexperianced groomer or owner can pull "live" hair along with the undercoat, and that does hurt, just like pulling your own hair. Also it is very time consuming. I mean it one heck of a job for a groomer, and especially an owner. As far as how often it's done, it depends on how short you like to keep the coat, and how fast the coat grows. Every dog is different when it comes to coat growth. If your not showing the dogs, i recommend a schnauzer clip using a #5 blade on the back, a #10 on the head, face and ears, (except the beard and eybrows of course, and scissoring the legs, just to neaten. #10 on the private areas as well, and in the pads of the feet. A #5 on the back gives the same length as hand stripping would, and it's much easier, and not painfull at all. Also, hand stripping by a groomer is very expensive. Most don't like to do it for the reasons i mentioned. You can tell the groomer what blades you want used on your dogs, they will know what your talking about, and if they don't, FIND ANOTHER GROOMER!! These are common blades used everyday by every groomer out there. My advice?? Don't go for hand stripping unless you are showing the dogs. It's not worth it.

Answer 2

If it's done properly it shouldn't be painful to the dog. I do use clippers in the sensitive sanitary area, though. Hand stripping involves pulling out the dead, fuzzy undercoat and leaving the glossy guard hairs in place. This promotes the retention of proper texture and color. Sometimes, even after numerous shavedowns, a coat *can* be restored. It will take many sessions for this to manifest, though.

For a puppy, the easiest time to start is when the adult coat starts to come in. You do want to get the baby used to grooming before that, though, so I'd be sure to start getting him used to scissors, sanitary clipping, and brushing ASAP, especially around the face.

Timewise, stripping is a commitment that CANNOT be put off. It needs to be done every 3-4 weeks, like clockwork. This is non-negotiable. In contrast, you can go up to 8 weeks or more with the shavedown. As far as time commitment for the actual sessions go, it takes longer for a stripping session than a shaving one (and sometimes, for the sake of your hands and your dogs sanity, it will be a two-day affair). Also, unlike shaving, it is always a work-in-progress. You're not going to get a perfectly finished hairdo after just one session.

If you have the time and commitment to keeping up a hand-stripped coat, this is the way to go. It preserves the texture and color and looks amazing. But if you decide to go this route, make sure you have someone show you (if you're going to do it at home yourself) or set up a standing appointment with a quality groomer. Just a warning--it will cost you a lot more money to pay a groomer to strip than to shave, but it's well worth the price in my opinion. GOod luck with you schnauzer babies!

Answer 3

You mean *HAND-STRIPPING*!!

You're probably TOO LATE,if you've been clippering! You've already RUINED the coat!!!! Very few coats are able to recover from years of clippering! Some only take a couple of times.

You could TRY it.....let the coat grow out for at least 2-3 months & ONLY take the longest"guard-hairs"! It's ***NOT*** like "plucking" your eyebrows! The coat that's stripped is DEAD!!!

Pups can stripped at ...oh...8 wks.-ish-when you can see sort of a "halo" effect on the coat.THOSE are the hairs that are pulled! Pet stuff can be stripped 2-3 times a YEAR. Dogs that are being shown need "rolling" weekly.
Once you have you have a good coat started,it's VERY easy to maintane-just lay the dog across your lao while sit & watch the "boob-tube" w/a trash bag at hand.Just pick through the coat & ANYTHING that comes loose NEEDS to be tossed.
A perfect coat will be abour 1/3 coming-in,1/3 IN & 1/3 going out.

Answer 4

We show beagles, so a lot of stripping goes on here. Alway consider what is it that you are trying to accomplish by stripping. For instance on ours we strip to make the hair at the base of the neck lay flat, it will "bristle" if you clip it. But,, this in no way suggests that the whole dog needs stripping.

As you can see in the pic he is obviously clipped on the chest even tho' stripped at the base of the neck
http://www.hunt101.com/img/317248.jpg

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Answer 5

It is worth doing if you are showing the dog.If not forget it.
It is time comsuming and if the dog is not used to it it can make them nuts. It takes lots of parctice to get good at it and it is very hard on your hands.
I hand strip for one of my friends when she is showing her wire haired dachshunds. It takes about two or three days to do one really nice they are a work in progress.
You always touch up before going into the ring.
If this is just a pet I would clip for the ease and it lasts longer.

Answer 6

if your dog has been clipped, then the coat is allready ruined. this is done in a process of different parts of the coat being stripped at different times. it is done for showing. it can be painful if the dog wan not trained from an early age. consult a proffesional groomer who has experience in stripping terriers or your breeder if they do too.

Answer 7

I've heard that Furminator is supposed to work pretty good.