Groomer who hand-strips in Maine?

[SecondEdition]

For my Cairn Terrier?

I refuse to clip her. It just wouldn't be right. And she looks adorable with her hand stripped coat. I've searched high and low...this is a last ditch effort. Anyone know of a groomer who does hand stripping in Maine? I've been going to a lady in New Brunswick, Canada who is great (2 hours from me now!), but when I move to a different part of the state she's going to be 5 hours away.... too far to go every 3 months. Heck 2 hours is too far.

Anyone?

[KateandKc]

What part of Maine are you moving to? I think Yankee Clipper does handstripping (in Rockland).

A good website is dognewsisgoodnews.com. They have a pretty extensive list of groomers you could call.

[simply kim]

Contact the Cairn Terrier club of America and see if they can direct you to a breeder/groomer/handler in your area that would be willing to help you or offer guidance and phone numbers. You could also attend a dog show in your area also and perhaps get some info that way.

[Nanerpus]

I don't have any suggestions for you on groomers as I live in NH, but FWIW, my Mom travels 2 hours away each month to have our English Cocker Spaniels hand-stripped and groomed, so I understand you not wanting to clip your Cairn!~ She also strips them and grooms them on a regular basis, but they get a full one each month and look SO cute!

Good luck!:D

[oldbutnotdead]

What is hand stripping for dogs?

[Bluey]

Some breeds of dogs have hair that dies but doesn't fall out, so you either clip it or hand strip it, a little bit like pulling a horse's mane to shorten it.

Most people with pets will just clip them, as it is easier on the dog and groomer.
Hand stripping preserves the hair quality as it is meant to be and for a show dog, the judge will be giving points for hair quality, so you want only to hand strip them.
Clipping with scissors or electric clippers will have new hair come in of lighter color and much softer.

Many terriers with wire haired coats need hand stripping.
For them it is a little easier than those other breeds with the longer coats that also need hand stripping.

Most any conformation dog club in your area can tell you who will hand strip dogs.
Some breeder/handlers will do it for an individual, although they are not professional all breed groomers.

[Marshfield]

I'm not sure where you're located, but one place to try is Paw-Zn-Around in Saco. Ask for Julie. I think the number is 207 283 6642

[oldbutnotdead]

So is hand stripping a more sophicated method of plucking out the tufts (ok, clumps) of loose undercoat on my German Shepherd Dogs? I am fascinated, and don't know why . . .

[Bluey]

So is hand stripping a more sophicated method of plucking out the tufts (ok, clumps) of loose undercoat on my German Shepherd Dogs? I am fascinated, and don't know why . . .

No, hand plucking takes the old, dead hair that in your GSD would be the guard hairs, not undercoat, although some undercoat may be mixed in there in some breeds.

[oldbutnotdead]

I have a lot to learn! Thanks for the explanations.

[chai]

I have never heard of this before. It sounds painful, or is the fur that is plucked already loose like my donkeys' fur that comes out in tufts during shedding season?

[DoubleClick]

I have never heard of this before. It sounds painful, or is the fur that is plucked already loose like my donkeys' fur that comes out in tufts during shedding season?


No, for the most part it is not painful. The hair that is being stripped out is dead hair. There are some areas on the dog that are more sensitive. I show terriers, so the stripping on them gets a little more intense than the stripping on a companion dog, so it can get a little ouchy on certain areas since the hair has to be SO perfectly groomed.