Grooming and coat
What is hand stripping and why do some breeds need it?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Hand stripping removes dead outer hairs from a wire coat by pulling them out along the direction of growth, either by hand or with a stripping knife, rather than cutting them with scissors or clippers. It preserves the coat's harsh, weatherproof texture, which clipping gradually softens and changes over repeated grooms.
How it differs from clipping
A wire coat naturally sheds its dead outer hairs on a cycle, and stripping simply speeds up that natural release by pulling hair that is already loose at the root, which does not damage the follicle the way cutting a growing hair does. Clippers, by contrast, cut every hair at the same length regardless of its growth stage, which over time softens the coat's texture.
Which breeds this matters for
Wire Fox Terriers, Schnauzers, Airedale Terriers, and several other terrier breeds carry a harsh, weather resistant coat that depends on hand stripping to keep its texture and color vibrancy. Dogs shown in conformation are almost always stripped rather than clipped for this reason.
What it involves for a pet owner
A full strip typically takes place every three to four months and can take one to several sessions over a few weeks, since pulling too much hair from one area at once is uncomfortable for the dog. Many pet owners opt for regular clipping instead for convenience, accepting the softer, fluffier coat texture that results over time.
Key takeaways
- Hand stripping pulls dead hair from a wire coat rather than cutting it, preserving the coat's harsh texture.
- Terrier breeds shown in conformation are almost always stripped rather than clipped.
- Clipping instead of stripping is more convenient but gradually softens a wire coat's texture over time.