Hand Stripping

Rose Madder · 08-28-2010, 01:08 AM

Hey, I've been researching Brussels Griffon for a bit now, and have long decided it is the breed for me. I have also done quite a bit on reading on how to groom a wiry-haired dog, but I am confused on something. Do you HAVE to hand strip a dog? Or is hand stripping just a practice of maintaing the dog's coat for showing and performance? Any info is appreciated! I haven't found a place where it says you have to hand strip or not yet.

**Cali** · 08-28-2010, 01:12 AM

I am not completely sure on this but I THINK that some of them you must hand strip for skin health... Like I said though I'm not 100% sure
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Rose Madder · 08-28-2010, 01:39 AM

I'm not sure either for this breed or any breed. In both books I read about Brussels Griffons, they both had helpful information on HOW to strip, but nothing on if it was required. All I gathered was it helps maintain the correct and desired coat for showing.

animalcraker · 08-30-2010, 05:24 PM

Yes and no. If you're going to be showing then yes you absolutely need to hand strip the coat. If it's just a pet then you don't need to strip, but shaving and not striping the coat will ruin the coat texture.

tankstar · 08-30-2010, 09:02 PM

what animal cracker said.
If you are showing then yes they have to be hand stripped. if no showing then you can shave them down, it will "ruin" the coat, but it wont matter since you will not be showing if you do it that way

Mischief · 08-30-2010, 10:03 PM

or you could opt for the smooth coated variety and not have to worry about stripping or grooming

Rose Madder · 08-31-2010, 12:39 AM

Hehe, but I love the rufflyness of the rough coat. I think I might try a hand strip and see how that goes, but it is nice to know that I dont HAVE to. Where does that hair go though if you dont strip it? The dog simply doesn't shed it out? I know brushing will get some out though.

animalcraker · 08-31-2010, 02:18 AM

When you're striping you remove the undercoat and leave the gaurd hairs. With Terriers those the top coat of gaurd hairs is usually shorter than the undercoat, that's why it's necesary to strip to get the proper coat type. If you don't strip then the undercoat grows out and the gaurd hairs aren't able to develop the harsh texture that they need to protect the pet. The result or not striping is that you end up with a wooly coat; which is fine for pampered pets, not so great for working dogs that depend on the coat for protection. Striping is not that difficult to learn and your breeder should be able to teach you on how to do it. Though as a warning striping can be uncomfortable and some dogs will not tolerate it at all; until you are comfortable doing it I would recommend having your breeder or experienced groomer help you do it.