Why should you hand strip instead of clipping?

The reason hand stripping can be so beneficial compared to clipping is that it removes the entire hair including the root, rather than just trimming it back. Wire hair on dogs generally only lives from around six months, after which it dies off, so removing these dead hairs entirely frees up space for new, healthy coat to grow in its place.

As they die off, they become weak and loose enough that it’s easy and painless for dog groomers to remove them with their bare hands. Alternatively, some groomers prefer to use a serrated stripping knife to make the job a little easier, but this comes down to personal preference.

The pros of hand stripping

There are a number of reasons why hand stripping is favoured, by groomers, dogs and owners alike. For starters, it’s generally a less stressful process compared to clipping, as it doesn’t cause any anxiety for the dog in terms of feeling or noise. A more relaxed dog makes for a far easier and more enjoyable experience all round, and reduces the risk of groomers being bitten. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for some dogs to fall asleep while they’re being hand-stripped.

Most of the time, hand stripping generates better results in overall grooming as it brings healthy coat to the fore all across the body of the dog. And as mentioned earlier, taking away old, dirty fur can reduce health risks to the dog, as a build-up of dirt can easily lead to flea bites, allergies or skin irritations.