[Xeph]

Have any of you guys stripped a dog before? I'm going to need to learn for my new Giant baby.

Can anybody explain the patterning, etc?

[NRB]

find the thread I did a little while ago, had a link to a site for SS. I wonder if the patterning is the same. graco22 had helpful comments for me.

Whoo Hoo whens the pup coming?

I'd seen a website for pepper and salt Giants, I think a kennel down in Fla. Id love to see a P&S Giant, they are always black.

[Xeph]

The puppy won't be coming until next year

I think I know the site you're talking about, but their Pepper and Salts are working dogs and I'm buying a puppy for SD work as well as show

[Graco22]

Originally Posted by Xeph

Have any of you guys stripped a dog before? I'm going to need to learn for my new Giant baby.

Can anybody explain the patterning, etc?

Congrats on your soon to be new pup. Get ready for a "giant" undertaking..lol No pun intended.

Stripping is something that takes some time to learn. Practice, practice, practice, and if you are going to show in conformation, you will need a hands on mentor to help you along for awhile.

In the meantime, study photos of giants, in SHOW pictures...pets pictures are no guarantee that the dog is in correct coat or pattern..so be sure what you are looking at is correct. If you can get to conformation shows locally, go and study them there. Ask breeders questions (after they have already been in the ring and are done) and get your eye accustomed to the trim and the breed. You will see small variations in patterns and lengths on the show dogs to accentuate good qualities, and hide not so great qualities.

The body coat on a giant is stripped. The longer leg furnishings are mostly thinning sheared but you want to strip as much of it as you can. However, if you pull it all out...it won't get long..lol So there is a fine line there. Read the breed profile, and learn it by heart.

When you get your pup, start them on the grooming table immediately. Getting used to being up there. Being brushed, combed, and start pulling body coat asap to get them accustomed to it.

The thing that will help you the most is having a breeder who is willing to help you. Its very hard to learn technique and details without someone helping in person, but you can learn alot online before you get your pup and be better educated when she comes.

[Xeph]

In the meantime, study photos of giants, in SHOW pictures

Always.

I actually show other breeds in conformation and frequent them not only to exhibit various dogs in breed, but to show my own dogs in rally and obedience

I've already picked my breeder and he will be helping me to do hands on learning.

I really just wanted to see if there was a pattern for the Giant that could be printed out

[Graco22]

Here is a great site with very detailed info for you to get your bearings on.


http://www.draxpark.cc/grooming.php

[Xeph]

Bookmarked that one last night xD Thanks!

Any knife recs?

[Inga]

I have always thought I would someday own a Giant but I love the look of the stripped dog and I am way too lazy for all that grooming. I would probably wimp out and clip mine. Guess that is part of why I have stuck with my Rotties for so long. They are so... wash and go.

[Graco22]

Originally Posted by Xeph

Bookmarked that one last night xD Thanks!

Any knife recs?

Its hard to recommend knives. Really, a knife is a knife, as its only used to "grip" the hair with your finger..so whatever knife is most comfortable in your hand. I like and use Classics, the blue Pet Edge Brand, and a few that I don't even know who makes them. You may have to try a few different kind to see what is most comfortable for you. I have tried some MacClellans, and I don't care for the..nor do I like the Chris Christensen knives either..Wish I did cause they sure are pretty..lol

[Xeph]

I'm just trying to figure out what I even NEED for the Giant in terms of grooming tools.

What I think I need:
A Medium/Coarse comb
Clippers (Oster A5)
Thinning Shears
Curved Shears
Straight Sheers
Stripping Knife

Am I correct in assuming bug strippers are bad (Mars Coat King)?

[Graco22]

Originally Posted by Xeph

I'm just trying to figure out what I even NEED for the Giant in terms of grooming tools.

What I think I need:
A Medium/Coarse comb
Clippers (Oster A5)
Thinning Shears
Curved Shears
Straight Sheers
Stripping Knife

Am I correct in assuming bug strippers are bad (Mars Coat King)?

I personally, would NEVER use a Coat king, etc. on a stripped dog..those DO cut hair, regardless of what they are supposedly doing..they also cut hair..not good.

Yes, I think you are right on. I don't like A5 clippers, but we all have our preferences. You are going to need multiple knives, coarse, medium, fine at least..and you will end up with more as you try others out. If I were going to spend the most money on one thing..it would be those thinners...You are going to be using them alot..and you want nice ones...Finishers..not debulkers..The more teeth the better really, but not the 7 inch ones..they are terrible and just too long for thinners..end up catching..Oh, you will need a pin brush also, for beard/furnishings..and a 10 blade. Hemostats for pulling the ear canal hair also.

[Xeph]

Thank you

I don't know about the A5 myself...I haven't had a dog that needed to be clipped in years, but this seems to be what most people recommend. However, I really like the Andis clippers myself (I think that Wahl clippers suck....).

I have hemostats and pinbrushes out the yang (I use hemostats for just applying ear cleaner to the GSD and the Lab).

I'm open to clipper suggestions. Personally I'd rather have something cordless, but would I be making a correct assumption to think that i need a cordless and a corded

[Graco22]

Well, since you asked...lol I don't like the A5 because its really a grooming equipment dinosaur..its heavy, vibrates alot and is loud. It also has air vents to cool it (blows slivers of cut hair in your face and all over you). Its a great workhorse for shaving horses, and heavy duty stuff...but it gets hot too, and after a few minutes it is killing my hands and arms. I can't imagine the strain on my body if I had to use it all day at work. I don't know any groomers that keep up on things in the grooming industry, attend seminars, trade shows, etc. that still use an A5..but I know some that have been grooming 30 years and don't keep themselves up to date that are still using them. It used to be all that was really available.

I MUCH prefer the Andis Super 2 speeds. They are light, little vibration, don't get hot, easy to work on maintenance yourself, and hold up great. They are corded. If you want a cordless, Andis does have a clipper (can't think of the name, but its blue) that is cordless, and has a cord pack so you can use it either way. Or you could also purchase an Arco, Bravura, or Chromado, made by Wahl. Though I am NOT a fan of Wahl's Switchblade, their cordless clippers are top knotch. Those are considered "trimmers" with adjustable blades, from size 40 up to a 10 blade length. (which is all you would need, as you will be stripping all but cheeks, sanitary and paw pads.)I don't know that you would need a cordless, unless you plan on doing some trimming at show grounds rather than beforehand when you are home. I suppose for something last minute at the show on a cheek, etc. it would be handy to have a cordless to do a quick fix up.

[Xeph]

Thank you my dear! You've been quite helpful!

Of course I'll be talking to the breeder too, but I'm guessing a terrier shampoo will be best for these guys

[Graco22]

Yes. You will want to avoid washing the body coat unless really necessary, but the beard and furnishings are going to have to be washed regularly to keep it clean to help prevent breakage. My favorite harsh coat shampoo is Crisp Coat from All Systems. EZ Groom's Structure is ok, but I find it better on poodle coats than harsh terriers. Crisp coat rocks though. I would think you would want to condition that beard and leg hair..check with a breed though..on terriers, that leg coat needs to be harsh, and conditioner WILL soften it so I don't use it on them unless the coat is just trashed..but conditioner will also help keep breakage to a minimun...double edged sword..lol My favorite conditioner is Coat Handler. You can ask 50 people their favorite shampoos and conditioners for different coats and get 50 different answers...lol Plush Puppy and Isle of Dogs make great products too.

[Xeph]

I know a couple breeders that will condition during the harsher months of the season (winter) as the coat gets very cold and very brittle. A lot of breakage occurs during the winter.

Perhaps a highly diluted conditioner mixture would be ok? At least in the sanitary area (I know that some dogs have an issue here with irritation from clipping and the like).

Plush Puppy hurts my hands, never tried Isle of Dogs though. I do hear lots of the terrier people talking about Crisp Coat (The name makes me want an apple, lol).

[MoonStr80]

Here's my question. Are you planning on doing a dog showing in the future if not, it's not always necessary for those have pet dogs that are required to have coats being stripped for breed strandard IMO

If you just wanted to learn about hand striping here is a useful website to go
http://britmorschnauzers.com/handstrip.html

[Xeph]

Yes, I'm going to be showing the dog. Even if I weren't I still wouldn't clip it. I want a dog to have the proper coat for the breed, regardless of showing status.

Thanks for the link