Dog Hand Stripping

If you have a Terrier, Schnauzer, or other wire-haired dog breed, you may have heard of hand stripping. If you’ve ever wondered what hand stripping is in dog grooming and what it entails, this article is for you!

Our Dog Buzz experts want to make sure that we share as much information as we can to assist you with deciding if hand stripping is the right option for your dog.

Hand stripping is a special type of dog grooming in which the groomer uses their hands to remove dead and loose fur from a dog’s coat, rather than using scissors or a blade to trim the fur. This results in healthier and more natural looking fur and also aids in preventing the fur from matting. 

Hand stripping is a good alternative for certain dog breeds, such as Airedale Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Schnauzers, Wire Fox Terriers, Wire-haired Pointers, Wire-haired Dachshunds, Affenpinschers, Brussels Griffons, Wire-haired Vizslas, German Wire-haired Pointers, etc. 

There are several options for how frequently dogs should have hand stripping done. Some owners choose to have it done only twice a year, during the spring and fall, while others choose to have it done much more regularly, such as every 6-8 weeks. This depends on the owner’s preference and the dog’s needs–having hand stripping done more often can sometimes serve to reduce hair loss and keep the dog more comfortable. 

Some more benefits that come with choosing hand stripping for your dog include healthier skin, an increase in the speed of hair growth and the preservation of your dog’s rich coat color. It’s a natural way to take care of your wire-haired dog’s coat, and can be a great option for many dogs. However, it also comes with certain difficulties. After the hand stripping, your dog’s skin can be quite sensitive, so it is best to refrain from introducing any bacteria to the skin for about a week and allow the follicles to recover. 

Once the skin has recovered, it is safe to return to your normal brushing and washing routine. Hand stripping can also take significantly longer than regular dog grooming, which can sometimes be too taxing for an older dog or dogs with certain medical issues, so there are cases where hand stripping would not be recommended.

Will you be trying out hand stripping at your next grooming appointment?