I need some advice please. I have been looking at some old posts but need some more info.

My westie Ellie is now 5 months old and is in desperate need of some professional grooming. I have been told she just needs tidying by doing a hand strip as she should not be clipped until over 6 months old.. Now the lady I am considering to use has asked if I want to clip or hand strip when she is older - can anyone tell me the pros and cons of these and if it is important that I stick to either one. Advice gratefully received.

Traybabe x

This is what I have posted before.
If your pup is bred with the correct course coat, then it really is better to be handstripped. Clipping is fine if it has an incorrect soft coat. It looks tidy when it's just done but as it starts to grow ......... It's worth finding a experienced groomer who will handstrip for the first year at least, so that you can see what sort of adult coat is going to come through. And a good groomer can help to improve a poor coat too!
The reason for trying to keep the coat coarse is for an easy life, both for dog and owner! If the coat is coarse, any mud and debris collected can be easily brushed out and you have a "good as new" dog again! A soft coat will hang on to dirt, and you'll be forever bathing - which in turn will soften the coat even more! 

I wanted Bailey hand stripped but not a lot of people do it and I wasn't confident to do it myself when shown. Bailey was clipped and now when he grows he is really curly and not so wirey and very messy if left long in winter.

Thanks for your replies. She is being hand stripped on Thursday - I will see how it goes!

TB x

Brilliant.  Well done :)

Hi everyone

Just wanted you to know that Ellie has just come back from the grooming parlour and she looks beautiful - just how a westie should look. She was on her best behaviour for her first visit and I am chuffed to bits. She was hand plucked. They did a great job. Thanks again for the advice.

By the way does anyone know about a shampoo that is available through crufts which makes coats whiter. I don't want to use it on her as I am happy with the way she is (even after rolling in foxes poo again - why do they do that??) just wondered out of interest.

TB x

hand plucked .....LOL TB you so make me smile ......gis a wave:)

I'm pleased that you're pleased!! :)
Are you going to rename her "Oven ready"?? ;)

or meet a friend called paxo !!!!!!! oh that was rude .....norman smacks Incas hand :)

There are various white shampoos , White on white etc, you don't to get them at crufts , you can buy them at any champshow or buy them direct from Hub internation or snooze n snacks.