WHAT IS HAND STRIPPING & COST

Hand stripping is a grooming technique for dogs that is required to properly maintain a wirehaired coat. During the process, the groomer will remove dead hairs by hand, or in some cases with the use of a stripping knife, to restore the dog’s wire coat and leave room for fresh hair growth. Hand stripping is a painless and many dogs enjoy the experience, but it is best to keep your dog on a regular coat stripping schedule so they will become accustomed to visits to the groomer.

Groomers must be trained in the art of coat stripping to perform this type of service correctly, and not every groomer offers coat stripping on their menu of services. Harlem based pet groomers, Mia's Bathhouse for Pets now offers hand stripping by appointment only.

BENEFITS OF HAND STRIPPED vs. CLIPPED COAT

There are 3 major benefits to hand stripping vs. clipping.

1) Coat texture and coloring of the hair. When a coat is clipped, the dead top coat doesn't get removed from the roots, and a new coat is unable to come in. Instead, it loses its texture and color with each clipping.

2) The other difference is the frequency in which grooming is required. A hand stripped coat grows a lot slower than a clipped coat. Usually a stripped coat lasts 5-6 months or 2 times per year, before grooming is required again, whereas a clipped coat requires grooming every 8-10 weeks. To strip, a dirty coat is required, whereas to clip, bathing and blow drying before hand is vital.

3) Lastly, a stripped coat doesn't mat at all; a clipped coat mats easily, especially if the coat is very soft.

BREEDS THAT MAY BENEFIT FROM HAND STRIPPING

Breeds of dogs which need hand stripping to maintain a healthy wire coat include: Airedale Terriers, Affenpinschers, Boarder Terrier, Bouvier de Flanders, Brussels Griffin, Cairn Terriers, Fox Terriers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Jack Russell Terriers, Schnauzers, Wirehaired Dachshunds and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.

IS HAND STRIPPING NECESSARY FOR COAT HEALTH?

Hand stripping is necessary to maintain a wire coat, but it is not essential for the dog’s overall coat health. If you have a wire haired dog, and you choose not to opt for the strip groom technique, than you can have the dog’s hair cut or trimmed; however, the wire aspect of the coat will be lost and the coat may instead become very fluffy and soft with a downy type texture.

Book a hand stripping appointment with Margarita, Mia's Bathhouse's master dog groomer. Check out their grooming price list by breed here or call 212 694.8607 for information.