WESTIE WALKERS - for Westies and Friends of Westies

Most groomers will not handstrip westies as it takes a long time. I also find that not many groomers know how to groom the head and tail properly.

If you get your westies from reputable breeders especially those who show their westies, they should be able to show you how to handstrip or do it for a fee. It is important that you go to someone who knows what they are doing. Handstripping is best for westies as the coat remains harsh and tends to stay cleaner. You can contact the Westie Club of QLD at:

http://www.westiesqld.org.au/

They can refer you to westie exhibitors who groom westies!

I have two Westies which are almost 6mths old. I live in Brisbane. Can you please put me in touch with someone that knows how to clip them.

the coat king will not damage there coat as an adult dog it is designed to remove the dead coat. You do need to make sure you have the correct size to ensure you are not cutting into the hair and you should always brush in the direction of the coat to avoid cutting the hair.

I am shortly going to be picking up my new pup, and although the breeder will be a help with grooming (i have experience grooming long haired breeds) I will be learning how to handstrip, and Im trying to get some ideas before i start. What age can you start stripping, and how often, I have seen some places say every six weeks and others every six months. Also can you use a stripping comb ie the mars coat king if you are stripping for a show coat or is this only ideal for a 'pet' strip Thanks

Hello All,
We are new to Westies. Can you please tell me if the Mars Coat King can be used on a Westie we intend to show or is hand stripping the only way. If so can anyone recommend a Westie Groomer on Bris. nth side. We had an unfortunate experience several months ago when we took our girl to the pooch parlor for her first Westie cut. We explained that we were preparing to show her yet when we collected her she was clippered. This experience put us back several months.

I've been stripping Lily since she was a small puppy, in fact she's never been clipped. She also stretches out when getting stripped mainly when I'm doing the base of her back. I used to use a stripping knife until I discovered the Mars stripping comb - its amazing! Its very easy to use and doesn't appear to cause her any discomfort. It also keeps her outer coat harsh. I tend to use it all over her about once per fortnight and just use a slicker brush in-between.
I purchased mine on the Gold Coast at the pet shop in Harbour Town for around $30. It doesn't have replaceable blades. But you can also get them online: http://marsgroomingproducts.com.au/

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

Hi Qldsalty - the main reason behind hand stipping is to keep the westies harsh outer coating which is what they are suppose to have. Once you start clipping you clip away the harsh coat leaving the soft undercoat only. The only reason I can think of why groomers would prefer to clip is that it is easier and lets face it - the westie groom isn't the easiest of grooms. Once you start clipping you will find that their coats become curly or wavy when in fact their fur should be fairly straight. My groomer does a bit of both for my boy as I like the harsh outer coat. Plus the benefit of keeping the harsh outer coat is less bathing the dog as dirt will just fall out. Hope that helps you out