Hand Stripping. Hand stripping is removing the dead off the top coat by finger plucking or by a stripping knife. Dogs with wiry coats generally have a top coat that is wiry and a soft and short undercoat. This is strictly an aesthetic decision, although there are some benefits to hand stripping. Handstripping is the correct way to groom all harsh coated terriers, springer spaniels, cockers, setters, and other wirehaired breeds and mixes. Hand stripping is a process where the hair (including the root shaft) is plucked from the dog. Dogs must have a suitable coat, temperament and condition for hand stripping. As shampooing the coat before or after the process of hand stripping, can open up pores. They have 2 types of hair that make up their coat; the dull colored softer undercoat, and the rich colored wire top coat. Give us a try and let your dog's coat shine! Dogs who have a wiry coat, basically, those “rough-coated” breeds usually need hand stripping. This method is common in the Terrier and Gun dog breeds and maintains the colour and texture of the coat. Cost: Hand-Stripping and Hand-Deshedding Services cost more than a standard clip as the manual nature of the process requires multiple individuals for longer periods of time - the results far exceed what most groomers can offer and significantly reduce the number of trips per year. So when combined with a bath, hand stripping can encourage or lead to infection of your dog’s skin. Terriers are double coated. Handstripping Dogs Hand stripping should be done on a 4-12 weekly basis but will depend on the individual coat, temperament and condition of the dog. This is not as painful as it sounds, once the coat is long and dead looking, the hair will come out easily. Jennifer of Paws At Your Door Mobile Grooming is one of the few stylists that offers this specialized, highly technical service. The wiry hairs are typically rough on the end and soft near the base. Hand Stripping Basics by Laura Reeves, PHAGuest ColumnistAll coat types require specific grooming in order to keep the coat in top condition.