Hi All,

My 6 Month Mini Schanuzer is starting to look very untidy lol, he had his head trimmed a month ago and his body fur has just grown and grown, i have an 8yr old and we have him clipped. I know that once you start to clip them their coat is never the same again and if your going to stip its best to do from day one.

I remember my mother started hand stripping my 8yr old when he was a pup (he was hers then) but she quickly gave up.....Does anyone strip here? am i letting myself in for a lot of hard work?

If anyone could help me on this topic i would really appreciate it, could you please suggest a knife too....

He is a Miniature Schnauzer, he has so far grown an excellent coat, beard and booties....We can see that he as a beautiful wire coat under all his fluff and im keen to show it off....I am thinking of including him into some amature shows so it might be nice if he can look as close to a 'real' Schnauzer as possible.

Thanks, Roxanne

Hi,
It might be a good idea to go back to his breeder for lessons in hand stripping, especially if you intend showing him. Even a clipped coat is not hopeless, but it will take a few months to get back on track. I use a Coat King to quickly strip two Mini-schnauzers and this works really well, although you will need more than one size and will still need to hand strip some of the head, throat and ears unless you intend to clip them off. Its a really effective tool for giving a hand stripped look but I don't know if it would be acceptable for showing although that is where I bought mine :), I'm sure the breeder would be able to tell you. They can also be found at Hub International and Dunbar UK on the net and both of these companies will help you choose the right ones for your breed.

In answer to the hard work Q. - hand stripping can be difficult if the coat isn't ready and you will need to be shown how to do it properly. Using a Coat King is no more hard work than combing the coat thoroughly, but pay attention to the breed standard - there are sites (american) on the net that will give you detailed instructions for the show trim.

Hope this helps some
Regards
Dill

Thanks Dill,

Im affraid that his breeder and i are in the same position, she usually has her bitch clipped and has kept a pup from the same litter and is contemplating stripping so she is as new to this as i am (also she lives 2 and a half hours away! - So its a bit of a drive)

Im not too botherd about it being abserloutley correct, i dont intend on big shows, just something fun for him (& me) ...local puppy shows and the such just something he might enjoy, he likes socialising and he has developed an amazing trot/walk that would look great in a competition.

Im hoping to not have to go anywhere near him with clippers, i dont know if this is possible, i would like to strip him all over (obviousley trimming his beard, eyebrows and booties)

Roxanne

Sounds like the Coat King is the one for you then, at least until you can get someone to show you how to hand-strip. If you do go to a show you may find someone with Mini Schnauzers willing to show you how to strip properly :D but I'd steer clear of the stripping knives, if you don't use them correctly they can cut the coat. Rubber Finger stalls are very helpful when stripping as they improve the grip.

Hi there Hand stripping is good if the dog has a good coat of correct texture.
Unfortunly a lot of the Mins have a lot softer coat which its not fair to strip out.
The coat king is good but there are so many to choice from fine to harsh and it tends to tear out the coat good for taking out undercoat
Has one of the last post says if you are not going to show then a clipped coat loks just has good.
However if you do intend on hand sripping join the www.schnauzerclub.freeserve.co.uk they have a booklet on stripping a coat therea also a video out on hand stripping too.
Where abouts are you ? as the Schnauzer club also has a list of groomers that will hand strip for you?
I hope this is of some help to you?

hi kkgirl,
we have had zak stripped and clipped,but i have decided to stick with stripping,his regular groomer is a friend and has shown me how to do it myself(ish)there is also a book called "miniature schnauzers today"by paul newman.it has pictures as well as discriptions on how to do it,i found a lot still describe the 6 week strip ie: doing a little each week,i find that if i put zak on my knee whilst im on the floor,and just crack on when we are watching T.V he doesnt mind at all.he isnt keen near the back of his hind legs though.im still trying to follow the guidelines as to where to strip so when i have done what i think is alright,i take him to my friend for tidying up,she lets me watch or have a go myself.im just a little nervy about using scissors
best of luck
mel:)
edited to say i use a mikki stripping knife

I use a Mikki stripping knife too. I don't hand strip as it's too arduous...I just pick out stray hairs with finger and thumb when I'm watching the telly and Stan is lying next to me. I've got a red handled Mikki knife and a blue handled one. If the coat has been left to grow quite long it will probabaly come out quite easily as the new coat will already be growing underneath. I would strip out his coat in sections a week at a time as per the diagrams in the book recommended above. Once it has then grown back just keep running the stripping knives through the coat to strip out the longer hairs, but don't fully strip the coat. Also rake the knife through the coat to get rid of the fluffy undercoat. You can use an electric trimmer on their throat, cheeks and forehead and ears, although some do strip some of these areas as well.

It's not an easy job to do, and if you're going to show, you'll really need someone to show you how to do it. I still go back to my breeder and another lady who shows, for help and I've had Stan a while. There's so many things to remember to get the correct shape. Don't worry if you make mistakes and take too much out though...it does grow back. Just don't clip areas with electric trimmers that you shouldn't, because it's difficult to get the harsh hair to come back.

I would ring the Schnauzer breed club and ask if they can recommend anyone in your area who can give you a hand.