Are you wondering whether or not handstripping is cruel or painful to the dog?

Almost all terrier breeds were originally bred to go under ground or through thick bushes to go after vermin. The wire coat is designed to be tugged out easily should the dog be grabbed by its prey during a hunt. In a way, the harsh wire coat acts as an armor to protect the dog from harm. It also protects the skin as the soft undercoat tends to collect dirt and absorb water like a sponge. Having the wire top coat keeps the dog dryer and protects it from wind and sun.

When you strip a terrier properly, the dead top and under coats are removed. Clipping does NOT remove dead coat, it cuts the dead coat over and over, but the dead coat is NEVER removed, it's like mowing a lawn. This means that dirt and moisture are trapped, and you get a dirtier dog. In some cases, it can cause itchiness in a more sensitive dog. There is a wire fox terrier I strip who had terrible scabby, itchy skin. Stripping fixed his skin issues because of the constant removal of the moisture trapping undercoat.It is actually healthier for the skin to have the dead coat fully removed period, but a lot of dogs do just fine with clipping.

It is true that not every terrier/Airedale can or should be handstripped due to difference in coat texture. This is where it is a groomer's responsibility to assess whether a terrier is a good candidate for handstripping or not. If I get a request for handstripping, I will assess the dog's coat before making the decision. Sometimes, I will only handstrip the jacket and then clip the rest of the dog because he/she is too soft everywhere else. Handstripping can be painful for a dog with a very soft coat (mostly undercoat, no top wire coat), in such case, I will insist on the dog being clipped. However, handstripping is not at all painful when done correctly on a dog with a proper coat to strip. I have two Airedales, and I only strip one because the other one has a very soft coat that stripping would be too painful for her.

To learn more about handstripping, please visit the link below:

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