At Handsome Hounds we do offer Hand Stripping as a service.  Sue has 15 years experience in this specialised technique.

If you own a wire (or broken) coated gun dog, terrier or hound your breeder may have told you that your dog's coat will need hand stripping. There are several factors to take into account if you are considering getting your dog hand stripped as opposed to clipped or scissored.     

It is recommended that you read this page to gain a better understanding of what hand stripping involves and to help you decide if it is suitable for your dog. If you decide you would like to have your dog stripped then you will need to make an appointment for a consultation so we can assess your dog's coat prior to your grooming appointment.

What is Hand stripping?  

Wire coated breeds should have double coats consisting of coarse wiry top coat (the guard coat) and a soft undercoat. The hand stripping process involves plucking out the coarse guard coat by hand using a stripping knife or fingers. The removal of this top coat allows the new growth to come through keeping the correct colour and texture of the coat. If the coat is clipped or scissored as opposed to being hand stripped then the deep colours of the coat may become pale and the texture will soften.  

Can all harsh coated breeds be hand stripped?

No. There are several reasons why it may not be possible to hand strip your dog. If your dog is neutered, has been previously clipped, has a skin complaint or just does not have the correct coat type then hand stripping probably will not be possible.  

How often will it need doing?  

To keep a hand stripped coat correctly is an ongoing and time consuming job. Ideally the coat would need some stripping on a weekly basis. This is the only way to ensure the coat has the correct coarse texture at all times. This is a process is called 'rolling' the coat where only part of the coat is removed each session allowing the coat to grow in layers keeping the texture at all times. An alternative method is to strip the whole guard coat in one go, leaving nothing but soft undercoat. This is known as taking the coat 'down to the underwear'. It doesn't give the desired result as the coat should have a harsh protective layer at all times, but as it would only need doing 3 or 4 times a year is much more practical for most owners.

How much does it cost?  

To have your dog hand stripped is a lot more costly than clipping or scissoring.  We will be able to give you an estimate of the price at your consultation.    

Pictured here is a Border Terrier with about 4 months of coat growth.  The picture on the right is the finished result, with the whole of the guard coat stripped out right down to the soft undercoat. 

Please note we are no longer taking on any soft coated breeds (spaniels and setters) for hand stripping.