Dog Grooming and Hand Stripping - Why Are They Necessary and How Often Should They Be Done?

Caring for a dog’s coat is not only about appearance. Regular dog grooming helps keep the coat, skin, nails and other areas of the body in good condition, while certain breeds require a specific coat-care technique - hand stripping.

But how do you know whether your dog needs grooming, hand stripping, or both? And how often should you take your dog to a groomer?

What is dog grooming?

Grooming is a set of regular care procedures tailored to the individual dog’s breed, coat type, age and specific needs.

Depending on the dog, grooming may include:

• washing and drying the coat;
• brushing and removing mats;
• removing dead undercoat;
• trimming or shaping the coat;
• nail trimming;
• cleaning and tidying the paws and other areas;
• other hygiene procedures when necessary.

Regular grooming also makes it easier to notice changes in the skin or coat in good time - redness, itching, dandruff, lumps, parasites or other problems that may require consultation with a veterinarian.

Why does a dog need regular grooming?

Just because a dog’s coat still looks good does not mean that grooming is unnecessary.

Long-haired dogs and dogs with certain coat types can develop mats without regular brushing. Mats pull on the skin, cause discomfort, reduce air circulation around the skin and, in severe cases, may contribute to skin irritation.

For dogs with a dense undercoat, regular brushing helps remove dead hair.

It is also important to understand that not every dog should or needs to be shaved. The grooming method should always be chosen according to the dog’s specific coat type.

What is hand stripping?

Dog hand stripping is a grooming technique in which mature, dead outer coat hairs are manually removed.

Once these hairs have reached the end of their growth cycle, they are removed so that new coat can grow in their place.

Hand stripping should not be confused with clipping or cutting the coat. When the coat is clipped, the hair is shortened, while with hand stripping the mature hair is removed.

Which dogs need hand stripping?

Hand stripping is most commonly suitable for wire-haired dog breeds whose coat structure naturally requires this type of care.

These include, for example:

• wire-haired Dachshunds;
• Schnauzers;
• many wire-haired terriers;
• Griffons;
• other breeds and crossbreeds with a coat suitable for hand stripping.

However, breed alone does not always determine the most suitable grooming method. A groomer should also assess the structure and condition of the individual dog’s coat.

Why is it better to hand strip a wire-haired dog instead of regularly shaving it?

The coat of wire-haired breeds consists of a coarse outer coat and a softer undercoat. When the outer coat is repeatedly clipped or shaved, the hair is shortened even though, at the end of its natural growth cycle, it would normally fall out or be removed through hand stripping.

If clipping is used as the only grooming method over a long period of time, the texture and appearance of the coat may change - it may become softer, duller and less characteristic of the breed.

For this reason, regular hand stripping is usually preferred for dogs whose coats are suitable for this technique.

There is, however, an important nuance: saying that a wire-haired dog should never be shaved would be too categorical. In certain situations, for example due to health, age or a very poor coat condition, the groomer and owner may decide that another solution is more appropriate.

Does hand stripping hurt the dog?

When performed correctly and on mature coat, hand stripping should not be painful for the dog.

However, it is important to:

• strip the coat at the correct stage of its growth cycle;
• use the correct technique;
• adapt the procedure to the individual dog’s coat;
• introduce the dog to grooming from an early age.

If someone tries to remove hair that is not yet ready to come out, the procedure may cause discomfort. For this reason, hand stripping is best entrusted to a groomer who understands how to care for the specific coat type.

How often should hand stripping be done?

There is no single interval that is suitable for every dog.

The frequency of hand stripping depends on the breed, the coat’s growth cycle, the desired appearance and whether a regular coat-maintenance cycle is being followed.

For many wire-haired dogs, a more complete hand-stripping session is performed approximately every 2-4 months, although the ideal schedule should be determined individually.

If the goal is to maintain an even, breed-typical coat at all times, a more regular rolling coat approach can also be used, where mature hairs are removed gradually.

How often does a dog need grooming?

The frequency of dog grooming also depends on the coat type.

Some dogs require professional grooming every 4-8 weeks, while others need it less often. However, regular coat care at home should continue between visits to the groomer.

A good approach is not to wait until the coat has already become matted or overgrown, but to establish a grooming schedule that is suitable for the individual dog.

How can you tell that it is time to visit the groomer?

You should not wait until the coat is already causing problems before making an appointment.

Signs that grooming may be needed include:

• the coat is starting to mat;
• a noticeable amount of dead undercoat is accumulating;
• the coat has become difficult to brush;
• the nails have become too long;
• the coat is interfering with the dog’s everyday comfort;
• in a wire-haired dog, the outer coat has matured and is ready for hand stripping.

A regular grooming schedule also usually means shorter and more comfortable sessions for the dog.

Grooming is part of your dog’s health care

Professional dog grooming is not only about having a beautiful coat after the appointment. Properly chosen grooming helps maintain skin and coat hygiene, prevent matting and preserve the correct structure of the particular coat type.

Meanwhile, hand-stripping for wire-haired dogs allows for the removal of the mature guard coat and stimulates new coat growth.

Most importantly, the grooming method must be adapted to the dog, not just the desired visual result. If you are unsure whether your dog needs clipping, undercoat raking, or hand-stripping, the best way to find out is to