Stripping is a grooming method used on dogs with 2 coats, where the thinner, undercoat is plucked in order to promote the thicker, wiry outer coat to grow in. The benefit of stripping the undercoat is that the wiry outer coat lies flatter against the body protecting the skin better. The wiry coat is also better at repelling dirt and provides better water proofing. If you've felt the coat of a wire-haired foxy, compared to a smooth-haired foxy, you'll know what the difference in texture feels like. Not all breeds of dogs have two coats but in the ones that do, stripping is an option for grooming.
Take a close look at the hair on your Westie's back, you'll see interspersed between the fine thinner hairs, wiry ones. It is this coat of hair that stripping aims to promote. You'll notice that the wiry hairs are thin at the base and then thicken out. This is why using clippers to groom your Westie doesn't promote the growth of the wiry coat. Only the thin part of the wiry hairs remain after clipping. However, when stripping is used, the wiry hairs persist while the dead, thinner hairs of the undercoat are pulled out.
If your Westie was working in the fields and bramble hunting out vermin, as they were bred to do, this would happen naturally. As their fur catches on thickets and bushes, it would pull out the thinner, weaker hair that makes makes up the the under coat.
I have never seen stripping being performed, but from what I have read, it can be done either using one's fingers or using a special stripping knife. When done with fingers, the thinner hairs are gripped between the thumb and forefingers and plucked out. When a stripping knife is employed, the coat is folded over the knife and then the knife is jerked to pluck out the undercoat hairs. A range of knives are used to blend the back coat into the skirt.
Stripping your Westie should be done by someone who knows what they are doing. It is not just a matter of plucking out random hairs. There is a particular pattern in which it should be done, and should only be done on areas where the hair is "ready". Experienced coat strippers will be able to identify which areas are ready. Other factors that are important are the preparation of the coat, the direction in which to pull at the hair, and avoiding skin irritations and infection of the hair follicles. If done correctly, it should not be painful to the dog, or at least until they become familiar with the sensation. Because stripping is labour intensive, it will cost more than regular grooming with clippers. It is probably important to commence stripping your Westie at a young age to get them used to being handled in this way. I can't imagine Maggie, who is now almost 3, being willing to sit through a stripping session.
Because of the time, effort and cost of stripping, and likely discomfort to the dog, most Westie owners don't have their Westies stripped unless they are going to be showing them.
What is Stripping?
Hi Susan,
Stripping is a grooming method used on dogs with 2 coats, where the thinner, undercoat is plucked in order to promote the thicker, wiry outer coat to grow in. The benefit of stripping the undercoat is that the wiry outer coat lies flatter against the body protecting the skin better. The wiry coat is also better at repelling dirt and provides better water proofing. If you've felt the coat of a wire-haired foxy, compared to a smooth-haired foxy, you'll know what the difference in texture feels like. Not all breeds of dogs have two coats but in the ones that do, stripping is an option for grooming.
Take a close look at the hair on your Westie's back, you'll see interspersed between the fine thinner hairs, wiry ones. It is this coat of hair that stripping aims to promote. You'll notice that the wiry hairs are thin at the base and then thicken out. This is why using clippers to groom your Westie doesn't promote the growth of the wiry coat. Only the thin part of the wiry hairs remain after clipping. However, when stripping is used, the wiry hairs persist while the dead, thinner hairs of the undercoat are pulled out.
If your Westie was working in the fields and bramble hunting out vermin, as they were bred to do, this would happen naturally. As their fur catches on thickets and bushes, it would pull out the thinner, weaker hair that makes makes up the the under coat.
I have never seen stripping being performed, but from what I have read, it can be done either using one's fingers or using a special stripping knife. When done with fingers, the thinner hairs are gripped between the thumb and forefingers and plucked out. When a stripping knife is employed, the coat is folded over the knife and then the knife is jerked to pluck out the undercoat hairs. A range of knives are used to blend the back coat into the skirt.
Stripping your Westie should be done by someone who knows what they are doing. It is not just a matter of plucking out random hairs. There is a particular pattern in which it should be done, and should only be done on areas where the hair is "ready". Experienced coat strippers will be able to identify which areas are ready. Other factors that are important are the preparation of the coat, the direction in which to pull at the hair, and avoiding skin irritations and infection of the hair follicles. If done correctly, it should not be painful to the dog, or at least until they become familiar with the sensation. Because stripping is labour intensive, it will cost more than regular grooming with clippers. It is probably important to commence stripping your Westie at a young age to get them used to being handled in this way. I can't imagine Maggie, who is now almost 3, being willing to sit through a stripping session.
Because of the time, effort and cost of stripping, and likely discomfort to the dog, most Westie owners don't have their Westies stripped unless they are going to be showing them.
Regards,
Barry