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Topic Dog Boards / Showing / West highland show clip
- By Elliepops [gb] Date 13.01.12 14:22 UTC
Does anyone know of anybody in the bury Manchester area who does a good show clip . I'm not showing my dogs but love the way they look with them
Thanks
- By WestCoast Date 13.01.12 16:16 UTC Edited 13.01.12 16:30 UTC
If you want your Westie to look like a Westie rather than like a shaved sausage then you need to find someone who will handstrip and not clip.
Sorry I don't know anyone in the north.  If they are local, perhaps your dog's breeder might help or be able to recommend someone who can.
- By Elliepops [gb] Date 13.01.12 18:03 UTC
Thanks , can't really go back to breeder as one of them was bred in ireland and the other I've rescued although I have got kc papers for her and when I went to the breeder she said that she just fully clips hers as she doesn't show and couldn't help me any further
- By WestCoast Date 13.01.12 18:11 UTC
They may not have correct harsh coats to hand strip then.... 
So then ring your local groomers and say that you don't want them to be clipped (a much more natural look can be achieved by using thinning scissors) and you want them trimmed to the breed standard.  If they say that they're used to clipping Westies off, then they probably won't know what a Westie should look like and you'll end up with 2 shaved sausages. :(
Unfortunately, you may well have to travel to find a groomer who trims to the breed standard.  Most think that haven't done a good trim unless they can see the dog's skin. :( :(
- By Elliepops [gb] Date 13.01.12 18:21 UTC
My older westie is 8 and I clip her myself simply because I had a bad experience with a groomer and she came home with no hair and terrified , and to be honest I do a pretty good job or so I thought till I saw a lovely show clip lol I leave her with a skirt and a fluffy head with no obvious clipper lines ect I just can't get the shape of the head right I like it nice and round  , my revue westie currently has big bald patches so I'm not to bothered about her clip just yet
However I would love a show puppy in the future and want to learn to do it properly
- By WestCoast Date 13.01.12 18:41 UTC
Well your two are perfect to practice on. :)
The head should look like a chrysanthemum - that's what you're aiming for, with the ears disappearing into the topknot. 
These pictures might help.  http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/westieshowdogl/Grooming/Heads.html
Try using thinning scissors on the body for a more natural look.
- By LucyDogs [gb] Date 13.01.12 19:48 UTC
Pity it's Bury Manchester & not Bury St Eds! I love handstripping, though if they've been clipped frequently already it may be too late for stripping.
- By Elliepops [gb] Date 13.01.12 20:25 UTC
Love the round head on these pics west coast how the flip do I get that shape Lol
- By WestCoast Date 13.01.12 21:10 UTC
though if they've been clipped frequently already it may be too late for stripping
It can take 12 month's worth of perseverance to improve a clipped coat. :(  I used to do neutered coats with thinners and get a good finish.

Love the round head on these pics west coast how the flip do I get that shape Lol
You take a small amount of hair front to back (not side to side) between the length of your fingers and cut, pretending that you're trying to cut it into a ball shape from all directions. :)
- By dorcas0161 [gb] Date 13.01.12 22:08 UTC
If you can get to Heywood and Radcliffe Ringcraft at Little Lever working Mens Club Bolton Monday nights from about 8pm. I am sure there are a few people who show and do grooming.
Little Lever is only about 10 mins away from Bury by car I think. I am sure someone there would be able to recommend a groomer and if you are thinking of getting a show puppy in the future no harm in making their aquaintance, they are a very nice friendly bunch.
Topic Dog Boards / Showing / West highland show clip

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