Probably you’re asking. When to do hand stripping on your Cairn Terrier? When the coat begins to look “blousy” and parts down the back, the long, dead strands must be removed by a process called plucking or stripping. If you examine the outer coat, you’ll notice that each hair varies in tone from root to tip, which gives the Cairn Terrier a brindled, or shaded appearance.

Clipping or cutting destroys the distinctive color, as well as the texture of the coat. When the dead hair is trimmed, but not removed, the coat becomes soft and loses its water-repellent characteristics.

Dogs quickly become dirty when the undercoat is exposed, and some produce excessive dandruff. The best way to keep your Cairn Terrier in proper condition is to hand strip the outer coat every six to eight months.

Hand stripping removes the dead hair, which is ready to come out, and allows the emergence of new, even growth. Dogs that have been stripped also shed less and remain cleaner than clipped dogs, making them suitable for allergy-prone individuals.

Hand stripping is fairly simple when the coat is ready to come out. To begin, grasp a few strands between your fingers and pull steadily with the direction of growth. Gently stretch the skin as you release the hairs. Dead hair comes out easily—if you have to pull hard, the coat isn’t yet ready to be stripped.

To get a better grip on the hair shafts, apply grooming chalk to the coat or wear latex gloves. If you use a stripping knife, be careful not to cut or break the hairs instead of pulling them.

A stripping stone (a small, square piece of lava) helps to remove the undercoat from the sensitive chest and belly areas. Finally, tidy the feet and backs of the ears with thinning shears.

Pet Grooming on Cairn Terrier

Depending on your Cairn Terrier’s age at the time of purchase, some grooming already may have been completed. Breeders usually neaten the appearance of the ears by removing stray hairs when puppies are about six weeks old.

Many also remove the dark, or black, overlay of hairs that starts to loosen at 8 to 12 weeks. This not only gives an attractive look, but also allows the new adult coat to come in properly.

The first major grooming, though, takes place when your puppy reaches 8 to 10 months. When the coat starts to “open” and part down the back, it must be completely removed. You may choose to have a professional handle this twice‑
yearly grooming, but make certain he or she has experience with terrier coats.

If you decide to tackle the job yourself, complete the task within a few days so the new coat will be an even length. The Mars Coat-King is a favorite stripping tool of many owners. Just “brush” lightly in the direction of the hair growth to remove loose hair and undercoat. Be careful not to strip too much.

Choose a coarse blade for the undercoat and a fine blade for finishing.