I have been stripping my wire fox terrier for 2 years now and have just acquired a black mini pup. I have read several books on minis but cannot find reference to which chalk you should use or if you should use chalk i.e. colour etc. Also he is 12 weeks old this weekend would it be O.K. to start stripping. Please help.

i dont use chalk on my mini just a stipping knife,in 1 of my mini books,it says any brand of french chalk is ok,if that helps.
mel:)

Hi.
I am a dog groomer who has schnauzers( mini and standard), I prefer and don't use a chalk, I either use a stripping knife or finger and thumb the coat.
I think now is a good idea to start getting your pup used to stripping sessions ( and used to the sound of clippers), but don't make them last to long and end on a happy note.

I don't use chalk either. However i don't have a black mini so don't know if using chalk on a black is a good idea even if I did use it. One tip I did glean from my breeder (who has a black mini) is to use the trimmers as little as possible i.e. strip as much as you can, because trimming with clippers can change the colour of the coat from black to dark brown. Good luck...the blacks are harder to groom than the pepper and salts by all accounts....I think you're quite brave!

Will start this weekend and hope he is as good at standing as my wire.

Thanks for your help.