Ever wondered how it feels to be a stripper? It feels great to have a satisfied customer and all it takes are some skillful moves and the right tools. This is definitely hairy business but it is worth all the time and effort. Don’t let your thoughts run wild as I am referring to stripping the hair off most wire coat dogs, definitely a necessary grooming necessity for all Cairns.
Unlike other breeds, Cairns have hair which does not shed (at least not much). The hair will just grow and once it stops growing, it becomes ‘dead’ hair which remains on the skin follicles until it is removed manually. Until this dead hair is removed, new healthy hair will not grow in its place. As a result, the hair becomes soft and unable to keep water and dirt off efficiently. A Cairn with a healthy coat would seem like he’s wearing a rain coat all the time. He just needs to give himself a good shake to dry off almost instantaneously.
Ever since we got our Cairns, they have been given some basic stripping sessions with a stripping knife and a Mars Coat King. I’ve also used my fingers to strip the dogs manually which is more effective but takes a longer time. Let me go through the different methods:
1. Stripping Knife
I would recommend using a stripping knife if you’re thinking of doing some serious stripping business. This is because it is the fastest method with the best results, especially for large areas. First, you need to hold the knife like how you would hold a regular kitchen knife. Then, grip some of the longer hair between your thumb and the knife. Hold your Cairn’s body around the area you are gripping with your other hand to steady him. Finally, gently pull out the dead hair with one quick stroke in the direction of his hair growth. Your dog should not be yelping in pain but may just feel a slight discomfort if he is not used to the process. Do start from the top portion of his body and work your way to his neck, legs, underbody, and finally his head. Further instructions are available here:
http://www.cairnrescue.com/general/groom.htm#strip
2. Fingers
This method works very well for me when I strip Cami’s face especially around her ears and neck area. Just grip the hair between your thumb and index finger and pull. I find that pulling quickly and switching sides tend to keep Cami from getting too agitated. When you use your fingers, you can actually feel how easily the hair is coming off and hence know whether you are pulling dead or healthy hair.
3. MCK
I found out about the Mars Coat King through the cairn forum. It is a stripping tool made from Germany which strips but also slightly cuts the coat quite quickly. It is easy to use as you just need to use it like a brush and it practically removes a lot of dead undercoat. However, be careful not to overuse this or your Cairn will end up bald! I normally use the MCK when I want to give our Cairns a quick makeover and keep their hair tidy.
It is recommended to fully strip a Cairn down to its undercoat twice a year to promote new hair growth. So far both Axle and Cami have been fully stripped once in their lifetime. It definitely takes time and patience to see the end results but it is a funny sight once they are stripped down to their PJs. You may be surprised to find the bright and colorful undercoat your Cairn has been wearing. So if you have the time and is looking for a challenge, do consider stripping…
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