Hand stripping in Colorado Springs by hand
Chelsea hand strips wire coated terriers herself. It's slower than clipping, and it keeps the coat looking and feeling the way the breed should.
Terrier hand stripping
stripping is
A wire coated terrier grows a harsh outer coat. Once those hairs are done growing, they die and are meant to come out. Hand stripping pulls the dead hairs out by hand, the same way they'd shed on their own, so a fresh harsh coat can grow in underneath. Chelsea works by hand with her fingers, finger thimbles, stripping knives and a pumice stone, choosing the tool for the coat and the spot on the dog.
Terrier hand stripping
clip it
Clipping cuts the hair at the surface. That's quick, but on a wire coat it leaves the dead hair in and shows off the soft, lighter undercoat. Over a few clips, the coat usually turns softer, fluffier and paler. Stripping keeps the color rich and the texture crisp, and the coat lies flat and neat. Clipping is still a fine choice for a family pet if you want easy upkeep. We'll do either one well. We just want you to know the difference before you choose.
Terrier hand stripping
strip
The wire coats we see most are Miniature and Standard Schnauzers, Westies, Cairn Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers. Other wire coats can be stripped too. Call and tell us your breed and we'll talk about what your dog's coat needs.
Terrier hand stripping
a mix
Some owners want the whole coat stripped. Others like a mix: the body stripped to keep the color and texture, with the face, legs and feet neatly scissored. We also card the softer undercoat with carding tools to keep the coat tidy between full strips. Tell us the look you want and how your dog does on the table, and we'll plan it with you.
Terrier hand stripping
how often
Hand stripping takes a lot longer than a clipper groom, because every bit of coat is worked by hand. Most terriers need it every 8 to 12 weeks, depending on how fast the coat grows. A coat that's been clipped for years can take a few visits to come back to a true wire texture.
Terrier hand stripping
coat back
If your terrier has been clipped for years, the coat can usually be brought back to a true wire texture, but it doesn't happen in one visit. The harsh outer coat has to grow back in and be stripped a few times before it looks and feels right. We'll be honest about how long it might take for your dog, and you can decide if it's worth it to you.
Terrier hand stripping
visits
A wire coat is easy to live with. Brush once or twice a week with a slicker brush and run a comb through the beard, legs and furnishings. When the coat starts to look open and fluffy instead of tight, it's almost ready for the next strip.
Terrier hand stripping
costs
Hand stripping is priced by the hour, at $95 an hour, because the time depends so much on the dog and the coat. Tell us your breed and when the coat was last done when you call, and we'll give you an idea of the time.
Questions
questions
Does hand stripping hurt?
No, not when the coat is ready. Dead hair comes out easily, and most terriers sit through it calmly. We take breaks whenever a dog needs one.
How often does a terrier need stripping?
Usually every 8 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly the coat grows. We'll tell you when your dog's coat is ready for the next one.
Can I just clip my Schnauzer or Westie?
Yes, and many owners do. The coat will slowly get softer and lighter in color. If you want to keep the true wire coat, hand stripping is the way.
Who does the hand stripping?
Chelsea, our National Certified Master Groomer, strips the coats herself.
- Address
- 3336 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4 PM
