Huh? I have to do what to my dog?
Strip her coat with a knife?
What does this even mean?
I must say that I was clueless about hand stripping (or stripping in general) until I began reading about my Charlie's health and maintenance. Turns out that wiry terriers like Jack Russells have longer hairs that act as protection when they work in the field. Next to the skin there's the soft thick undercoat, but over this are the long hairs that give them that adorable, scruffy appearance.
These long hairs grow and die like regular dog hair, but they don't necessarily fall out. And if they aren't shed they accumulate along with the dust and debris that stick to them, and they not only look unattractive, they can lead to skin irritation in the dog, and aggravated allergies in their people. It's for this reason that we need to pluck the coat.
After reading about the process, I quickly decided that only reading wasn't going to be sufficient to give me the confidence I need to tackle this task. I therefore began scanning YouTube and the internet for videos using 'Jack Russell' and 'stripping' as keywords. And I was amazed at how little useful information there was.
I got better results however using 'terrier stripping' for my keywords and I've listed the videos I think are worth taking a look at, below. If you find others, please let me know. I'll add them to this page.
Strip her coat with a knife?
What does this even mean?
I must say that I was clueless about hand stripping (or stripping in general) until I began reading about my Charlie's health and maintenance. Turns out that wiry terriers like Jack Russells have longer hairs that act as protection when they work in the field. Next to the skin there's the soft thick undercoat, but over this are the long hairs that give them that adorable, scruffy appearance.
These long hairs grow and die like regular dog hair, but they don't necessarily fall out. And if they aren't shed they accumulate along with the dust and debris that stick to them, and they not only look unattractive, they can lead to skin irritation in the dog, and aggravated allergies in their people. It's for this reason that we need to pluck the coat.
After reading about the process, I quickly decided that only reading wasn't going to be sufficient to give me the confidence I need to tackle this task. I therefore began scanning YouTube and the internet for videos using 'Jack Russell' and 'stripping' as keywords. And I was amazed at how little useful information there was.
I got better results however using 'terrier stripping' for my keywords and I've listed the videos I think are worth taking a look at, below. If you find others, please let me know. I'll add them to this page.
Best of Show
How to Strip the Coat - Norwich Terrier
-- a longer video that discusses how to shape. Granted, it's about stripping a Norwich Terrier, but the principles no doubt apply. Again, this one does not show how to hold the knife, but the lady strips a good portion of this dog and it's good to see it done.
Tools for Handstripping - Lisa Leady (Lisa Leady on Handstripping, Groom Expo 2009)
-- talks about terrier stripping from a Groomers perspective. Talks about important things like how important it is to get equipment that's comfortable for your hand, and how to dull your knife so you don't cut the coat (or the dog!) instead of pulling it out. THE best advice for me was to use a pumice stone on-a-stick.
Grooming the Jack Russell Terrier for Companionship, Work and Show with Michelle Ward
-- good general advice on grooming, like using a mirror and how to shape feet hair, but no details on the stripping process
Tools!
Wonderful Michelle Ward suggested using a pumice stone on-a-stick and I'm here to say that it works!!! I just got mine and tried it and I was pleasantly surprised at how the pumice grabs the hair. I was soon on my way to pulling out dead hair.
Grooming the Jack Russell Terrier for Companionship, Work and Show with Michelle Ward
-- good general advice on grooming, like using a mirror and how to shape feet hair, but no details on the stripping process
Tools!
Wonderful Michelle Ward suggested using a pumice stone on-a-stick and I'm here to say that it works!!! I just got mine and tried it and I was pleasantly surprised at how the pumice grabs the hair. I was soon on my way to pulling out dead hair.Here's the 'weapon' I choose =>>
Let me note that the pumice is very soft and I'd say that between the little flakes that fall off the stone and the hair that accumulates, that you ought to do this with either outside or with a towel underneath your dog.
I will also note that the handle isn't necessary. I mean, how can you use it .and. grasp the hair with the same hand. No, you have to hold the pumice stone in the palm of your hand and use your thumb to clasp the dead hair.
Pam
I will also note that the handle isn't necessary. I mean, how can you use it .and. grasp the hair with the same hand. No, you have to hold the pumice stone in the palm of your hand and use your thumb to clasp the dead hair.
Pam
2 comments:
Thank you so much for putting all of this information in one place. I have a parson russell, who has a lightly broken coat. Though she doesn't need quite as much stripping as a heavily broken or rough coat, I would like to keep her coat as tidy as possible. I appreciate the advice on the pumice stone. I had been using a furminator, but it doesn't allow you to grab the hair with your fingers when you use it, and usually just pulls out the really short hairs.
I'm so happy you found this useful. I tell you that it took some rock turning to find these resources.
And now that Spring is here (or about here depending on where you live) we'll have to see how our little Jacks turn out. Charlie doesn't seem to be shedding much yet. Let me know what your experience is.
Pam~
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