Hi there, could anyone please let me know at what age a Westie should be clipped.  My boy is now 5 months old and looking really scruffy at the moment, lots of wispy bits all over him.  I brush him every day but he really looks a bit of a mess at the moment. Regards Jenny

You don't clip Westies, do you?

Yes apparantly they can be either clipped or stripped

Hi
I have a Bichon and her fur is fairly similar to that of a westie. I get her clipped about every 3 months because it gets so curly and matted. I know Westies have  straight fur but there would be no harm in having yours done at this age.

They normally love it, just go to someone who knows what they are doing and they will advise on whether to clip or strip.

Hope that helps

I never knew a Bichon's fur was like a Westie's hair! I assumed it was woolly like that of a poodle, rather than the almost harsh, waterproof hair that a Westie should have.

I've just read the Standards for both breeds, and their (correct) coats are nothing like each other. The Westie's should be harsh and straight, whereas the Bichon's should be fine and silky, with soft corkscrew curls.

I was also astonished to read that a Bichon 'may be presented untrimmed, or have muzzle and feet slightly tidied up'. No mention of being clipped at all!

I have a 5 month old Westie and he too is looking abit of a mess. He is having his first trim on Friday.  Beware though my groomer is booked way into January and I only got a cancellation.

My Bichon is clipped but not short so she still has the curls, you can't keep a Bichons fur long unless you have it completely straight, and they only have this when being shown. Also they are nothing like Poodles!!!

Thanks to all, you've been very helpful, I'll get my lad booked into the groomers as soon as I can.  Thanks again everyone. Regards  Jenny X

Just shows how easy it is to make assumptions about breeds you don't know, I had always thought they were 'plucked' like Borders.

If you clip a Bichon (rather than scissor as it should be done) then their coat type can change and can be quite wirey like a westie ( I think this can also happen if they are neutered or spayed).  A Bichon which is totally knot free and scissored has a really soft silky coat - infact so soft that you can hardly feel it - if that makes sense :D

Jackie, I think if Westies have the correct coat, they should be stripped (plucked) like Borders (and most other terriers), but the ones with the 'wrong' coat - soft and open - need clipping. Of course, clipping stops them being waterproof, so I'd have thought it unwise at this time of year.
:)

I think any terrier can be clipped but it does change the texture of their coat (as with Spaniels ? )  clipping is easier and therefore cheaper which is why most pet owners go for it :)

I have owned a westie for over 20yrs. If you can get someone to handstrip have it done. If not then its clipping. Its not always easy to find someone to handstrip but I think a westie handstripped ends up with the better coat. If you decide on clipping tell whoever does the clip you want a traditional westie clip. I have always had a bitch & would hate if they stripped her skirt away. Good luck with your westie.

Jean