Grooming & Stripping a Terrier

Terriers are lively, energetic dogs that have two types of coats: a soft, downy undercoat and a hard, wiry outer coat to protect them from the elements. Twice a year, around the spring and fall, the dog starts to shed its outer coat. To help the new coat come in and keep your dog looking clean and neat, hand strip its coat, recommends the American Kennel Club.

  1. Grooming

    • Brush your terrier daily with a slicker brush to prevent mats from forming in the coat and remove any dirt or debris from building up in the fur. Break up any matting of the fur with a spray of leave-in conditioner and your fingers. The outer coat of a terrier is hard and waterproof, which helps to protect it from the elements and keeps it naturally clean. With regular brushing, bathing is not necessary unless the coat becomes heavily soiled. If you do bathe the dog, use a gentle, soap-free shampoo. Brush the coat after it dries to distribute the dog's natural oils throughout it to keep it shiny.

    Hand Stripping

    • For show purposes, the American Kennel Club recommends hand stripping your terrier's coat. Stripping should not hurt the dog if done correctly. Use your thumb and index finger to gently, but firmly, pull out the dead hairs of the coat in the direction of the hair growth. Hold the skin taught above the area you are stripping. To help this process along, use a stripping knife to better grasp the hairs, holding it parallel to the dog's body. To strip your dog's entire coat at one time will take anywhere from four to six hours. Strip the whole coat every three to four months, tidying it between strippings in shorter grooming sessions.

    Clipping

    • The majority of professional groomers may opt to clip your terrier's coat, according to the Border Terrier Club of America. Clipping the coat does not remove the dead hair of the coat, but instead shortens it, which is why the BTCA does not recommend this method for grooming your terrier. Clipping can affect the texture of the coat, making it softer and less resistant to the elements. It can also change the color of the coat. If you plan on showing your terrier, a clipped coat is penalized by the show judges, with the exception of a slight coat tidying, according to the AKC.

    Considerations

    • Hand stripping your terrier rids it of the dead hairs on its coat so its new coat can grow in. Make this process more comfortable for the dog by sprinkling cornstarch or ear powder on the coat before stripping away the hairs to loosen them. Clean the dog's ears and pluck out any hairs in the ears by hand after sprinkling the insides with ear powder. Trim the dog's toenails with a pet nail trimmer, clipping off only the tips. Consult with your local breed club to properly shape and groom your terrier. Each breed has different rules for the "lines" of the coat, which determine how the coat appears.