Does Your Dog Have Stiff Hair? Discover The Stripping Technique!

When we have to decide which dog to adopt, we think “a short-haired one won’t leave hair lying around and is easier to comb, but the long-haired ones are so beautiful…”. What a dilemma! However, beauty always prevails and in the end we choose one with long hair even though we have seen many beautiful short haired dogs. For this reason, today we talk about Stripping. Do you want to know what it is? Read on.

The idea of ​​sinking our hands in its thick fur prompted us to choose our dog. When they are puppies, it doesn’t seem to be that difficult, but as they grow, we realize that their coat is not only long, but also hard. How to style it? Easy: discover the stripping technique.

What are wirehaired dogs?

Wirehaired dogs are those that do not shed, such as Schnauzers, Poodles and even Dachshunds. Although there are some breeds that, despite being wire-haired, are easier to comb than others, it will always be problematic to keep this type of coat soft and tidy.

For this reason, the Stripping technique was designed, of which we will tell you everything you need to know.

What is the stripping technique?

Stripping will not only help you keep your dog’s coat more beautiful, but it will also help you take care of the health of his skin. The name, Stripping, means “to pluck the hair”.

The problem with wirehaired dogs is that they don’t shed. As a result, dead hair can clog the hair follicles and cause infections and other diseases that are harmful to the animal. Also, it may prevent new hair from growing.

For this reason, it is necessary to shed the dead hair so that the new one can grow and the skin breathes. Not tearing this layer of hair has the following consequences:

• Loss of softness
• Pore ​​infection
• Loss of color and shine of the coat
• Reduction of the layer of coat called guard, which protects the dog from cold and heat
• Increased knots and accumulation of dead hair

How is the stripping technique done?

We must consider that, just as we are advised not to shampoo before going to the hairdresser, in the same way it is recommended not to bathe the dog for several days before the appointment to carry out the Stripping.

Even after the treatment, it will be necessary to wait a few days before bathing the dog, so that the skin can breathe and the pores are purified. After stripping,  the pores will be open, so bathing the animal could allow soap to enter and thus cause an infection. 

The first thing you do is tear off the cover hair that is already dead. For this purpose, there are special thimbles equipped with a kind of hook to grab the hair and tear it. Professionals know how to use them without hurting the animal, fear not.

Later, you will see if there is a layer of undercoat that overlies the outer one. If this is the case, it will be necessary to use a kind of comb called a coat-king, which must always be used by a professional, as its excessive use could weaken the animal’s hair.

The cost of this technique ranges from € 50 upwards, since, perhaps, it will make you doubt a little. However, you can also make it at home.

How to do stripping at home

Remember not to wash your dog. Then, move the hair with your hands so that it remains facing upwards and take the strands from the bottom by sliding your fingers upwards. Dead hair should come off easily.

We will pass along the hair a special stripping knife in order to remove the excess hair. It is not necessary to do it in a single day, you can repeat the operation for several days in order to gradually remove the entire dead hair.

The only downside to stripping at home is that if there is excess undercoat, it will be very difficult to remove it without the necessary tools and without knowing how to use them to succeed and not harm the animal.

If you thought there was nothing you could do for your pet’s coat, try stripping.