A trimmed breed, the Lakeland Terrier has a coat that is dense, harsh and weather resistant, with a good undercoat. It requires regular grooming and brushing, as well as a complete professional strip twice a year. For the show ring, the coat will probably be worked on twice a week to keep it in tiptop show condition and to ensure it is never out of coat.

Using scissors and clippers alters the color and texture of the hair – only hand- or knife-stripping maintains the vibrant coat color and slightly wavy, harsh coat. The show dog should be hand- or knife-stripped everywhere, except for between the pads of the feet, under the stomach and where the dog may be particularly tender.

Pet owners often ask for this breed to be clipped and bring them to the salon at least every 10 to 12 weeks. Either way, this dog benefits from daily brushing.

PROCEDURE

Equipment needed: Slicker brush, medium-toothed comb, stripping knife, thinning scissors, scissors, clippers where applicable.
Breed tip: Should look smart at all times with the correct grooming techniques.

• Brush through the entire coat with a slicker brush, removing dead hair and tangles.
• Follow this by combing with a medium-toothed comb.
• Strip, thin or clip (with a No. 10 Oster) the head. Work from the eyebrows to the top of the skull, down the ears and from the outer corner of the eye, down the cheek to the corner of the mouth, then backwards down the throat to the neck.
• Strip, thin or clip (with a No. 7 Oster) from the skull down the neck, over the shoulder to where the legs join the body at the front.
• Trim the chest to leave a fringe at the brisket, downwards with growth of coat to the rear, just above the hip.
• Blend the hair into the legs evenly.
• Trim the tail with the hair growth, and scissor underneath and around the anal area, or clip
  lightly.
• Clip under the tummy and inside the groin with a No. 10 Oster.
• Trim the hair away from between the toes and under the foot.
• Bathe the dog in a suitable shampoo and use
conditioner to complement the wiry coat.
• Blow the coat dry, following the direction of the hair growth.
• Check the Lakeland’s nails, ears and teeth.
• Tidy the trimmed parts where they have lifted with the bathing.
• Comb through the hair on the front legs with a slicker brush.
• Trim the foot to give a round, compact appearance.
• Lift the foot so the hair on the front leg falls naturally. Then, scissor into a cylindrical shape.
• Trim the furnishing under the chest. Work with the contours of the body, and scissor up toward the loin.
• Trim the hindlegs to blend into the body at the hip joint.
• Comb the eyebrows forward. Next, trim the hair (in the direction of the hair growth). The fall is full between and over the eyes, and from the eyebrows down, blending in with the face hair.
• Comb the beard forward to trim away any untidy hair, and to give a neat appearance.
• Note: all furnishings (e.g., face, legs, under the chest) are better trimmed by hand, not scissors. Using your thumb and forefinger, tease the hair out in the direction of growth. This maintains strong hair which is less likely to mat and tangle.