How to Groom a Rough Coat Terrier

Several dog breeds are considered rough-coated, including the Jack Russell, Dandie Dinmont, border terrier and Irish terrier. These dogs shed minimally and instead need their coats stripped two or three times a year, to remove dead hair and allow new growth. You can pull out the hair with your fingers, or use a stripping knife designed for this purpose. There are two ways to strip the dog's coat. "Taking the coat down" removes all the dead hair at once. Whereas "rolling the coat" does a bit at a time -- pulling out long, straggly hair as you see it. The latter is the more commonly used method, because it's easier for both you and the dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Slicker brush
  • Shampoo
  • Stripping knife
  • Comb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the dog thoroughly with a slicker brush. Always brush before stripping your dog, and introduce the dog slowly to the process so he gets used to it.

    • 2

      Bathe the dog with a shampoo designed for rough-coated dogs. Towel dry or blow dry the dog, with a hairdryer on a low setting.

    • 3

      Place the dog on a table or a comfortable, flat surface. Use a stripping knife designed for rough coats. Ask your breeder or a professional to show you the best knife for your dog's coat type.

    • 4

      Begin at the back of the dog's neck. Hold down the dog's skin with one hand, and separate the long strands of hair with the other hand. Pull the stripping knife gently to remove the hair. If you use your fingers, follow the same process -- holding the dog's skin with one hand while your other hand pulls out the hair. Always pull in the direction the hair grows.

    • 5
      Rough terriers should have a beard and hair around their face.

      Most rough-coated terriers keep the hair on their faces, around the whiskers and eyebrows. Remove only as much hair as you need in these areas for the dog to look neat. Pull only a few hairs at a time.

    • 6

      Comb or brush your rough-coated terrier weekly, in between stripping, to keep the coat clean and stimulate hair growth. Pull the long hairs out as you see them, to reduce the amount of time you need to spend stripping the dog.