I have a 12 week old miniature schnauzer at what age should she get her first clip and also what should i look for in a groomer?

I think your supposed to hand strip schnauzers but I could be wrong.

hi there
                yes i know but she is just a pet so i dont mind her getting clipped..

hi there
                yes i know but she is just a pet so i dont mind her getting clipped..

With cockers and poodles etc it's as well to get at least a face trim and a brush and tidy through as soon as they've had their shots - schnauzers are another grooming intensive breed so it's probably just as well to start thinking about it now I would have thought. Look for someone who is happy to only do a short session brushing and perhaps doing a little face trim. If you're taking her to training classes, see if they can recommend anyone. Clipping will make the coat softer and will lose its harsh texture but unlike some on here, I don't see that is such a terrible thing if you're not interested in showing. :-)

I groom Mini Schnauzers and have noticed a HUGE difference between the clipped dogs I see when out and about and the ones I do.  They are hand stripped and their coats are waterproof and weatherproof.  They stay cooler in summer and dry in wet weather.  It really isn't difficult to learn yourself and is very rewarding :)

The owners of the ones I handstrip say they are stopped all the time by other Mini Schnauzer owners asking how they keep their dogs looking so good ;)

Whichever you are going to do, you need to be brushing your pup now, and taking a few hairs out of their ears, otherwise they won't get used to it and it will be a trial for them when they are older.  2 or 3 minutes at the most at this age, but every day or even twice a day will make such a difference.  I would start having a pup at around 12 weeks old just to get them used to being groomed and to tidy them up a little :)

Ears are best done little and often and not left for a groomer, it's surprising how quickly the hairs inside the ears can grow, leading to wax build-up and infections.

what do i use to strip her coat when should i start stripping her coat now? i have managed to pull some hair

what do i use to strip her coat when should i start stripping her coat now? i have managed to pull some hair from her ears with the help of  a little talc..

You can use a bit of chalk on the coat to if it helps you grip, then use finger and thumb to try and pull a few hairs at a time, you will feel if they are ready and come out easily.  You can buy stripping knives to help, but I would say try finger and thumb first as you will get the feel of it and won't be in danger of cutting the coat by accident, which you can do with the knives until you get the technique right.

I agree with Dill, a hand stripped coat looks wonderful and isn't hard to keep tidy once you get the hang of it.

Oh yes, hand stripped looks way better, I agree! I just don't know that it's worth the effort if you're not showing. Personally I keep my Yankee in show trim even though I don't show him because I love the look, but I would never condemn another person who didn't have the time or energy to do it for wanting a quick clip job. So what if the coat isn't harsh and waterproof? If the dog gets wet, towel them off! :-D

>Oh yes, hand stripped looks way better, I agree! I just don't know that it's worth the effort if you're not showing.

Because it looks so much better is surely reason enough?

To be honest, stripping is so much better for the coat, whether pet or show, and IMO doesn't take any more time (although maybe takes more effort) than clipping off and blending with thinning scissors. Pet owners are often under the impression that hand stripping is painful for the dog and opt for clipping as a "kinder" option.

i will give the hand stripping a go see how my little girl takes to it, so off to shops for chalk..

For me yes, but not for all pet owners - they might not want to do it themselves, and it's hard to find groomers who handstrip (I used to get people travelling quite a long way because I offered that).

>Because it looks so much better is surely reason enough?

>So what if the coat isn't harsh and waterproof? If the dog gets wet, towel them off! :-D

It isn't just about that though, in hot weather the stripped dog will stay cooler than the clipped dog.   A stripped coat also stays cleaner as it shrugs off dirt instead of collecting it ;)  this means the dog doesn't need bathing all the time  :)

I'd say there are plenty of reasons for stripping a coat rather than clipping ;)