Hand stripping being performed on a wire-coated terrier at Hound Pet Salon, Kimberley

Hand stripping in Kimberley, Nottingham

Hand stripping that works with your dog's coat

Thoughtful hand stripping for suitable wire coats, helping maintain their natural texture, colour and condition without compromising the coat's structure.

Preserving the coat your dog was bred for

Hand stripping is a specialist grooming technique used on suitable wire-coated breeds. It removes dead outer coat by hand, rather than clipping, helping the new coat grow through with its natural texture and colour intact.

Not every wire coat is suited to hand stripping, and not every dog will be comfortable with the process. We take time to understand your dog's coat, discuss what is achievable and agree an approach that works for both of you.

Where hand stripping is appropriate, it is a thoughtful, unhurried process — always shaped around your dog's comfort and the condition of their coat.

Hand stripping services

Hand stripping at Hound is tailored to your dog's breed, coat condition and grooming history. Explore our main hand stripping services below, or tell us about your dog and we'll help arrange the right appointment.

Full Hand Strip

A more complete hand stripping appointment for dogs with a suitable wire coat that is ready to be worked through more fully.

The coat is worked by hand to remove dead outer coat, with the approach tailored to your dog’s breed, coat condition and individual comfort.

Maintenance Hand Strip

For dogs already following a hand stripping routine, maintenance sessions help keep the coat in good condition between fuller strips.

Regular appointments can help maintain coat growth, texture and overall condition while keeping sessions more manageable over time.

Understanding hand stripping

Understanding Your Dog's Coat

Not sure whether hand stripping is right for your dog? We can assess their coat and discuss the options.

Some coats respond well to hand stripping; others may be better suited to clipping or a blended approach.

Breed Suitability

Hand stripping is typically suited to wire-coated breeds such as terriers, some spaniels and other breeds with a harsh outer coat.

We’ll always discuss what is realistic for your dog’s individual coat before recommending a course of action.

Coat Cycle & Timing

Wire coats grow in cycles, and the timing of hand stripping appointments can affect the quality of the result.

We’ll talk through what to expect and help you plan a routine that works for your dog and your schedule.

Not sure hand stripping is what your dog needs?

Every coat is different. If hand stripping isn't the right approach for your dog, you can explore our other grooming options.

Dog Grooming

Full grooms, Bath & Dry, de-shedding, nail care and more — tailored to your dog’s coat, comfort and individual needs.

Explore Grooming

How to arrange hand stripping for your dog

  1. Tell us about your dog

    Start by telling us a little about your dog, their breed, coat and grooming history, and what you’re looking for.

  2. We'll review what they need

    We'll review what you've told us and get in touch to discuss whether hand stripping is suitable and the right appointment for your dog.

  3. Settle into a grooming routine

    Once we get to know your dog and their coat, regular appointments can help maintain coat condition while keeping their grooming routine manageable.

Two ways to get started

Choose what works for you and your dog

Hand stripping works best as a routine

A well-maintained wire coat is usually the result of regular appointments and consistent coat care, rather than a single session.

Once a wire coat has been stripped, it may not return to its original texture straight away. The coat develops over time, and regular maintenance can help keep it manageable while supporting its natural texture and colour.

The right routine will depend on your dog, their coat and how it develops between appointments. We'll help you understand what their coat needs and suggest a manageable routine for both you and your dog.

What hand stripping guardians say

5 out of 5 stars 5.0 on Google

Ready to find out what's right for your dog's coat?

Tell us a little about your dog and their coat. We'll review their needs and help arrange the right appointment.