OK .... I tried stripping. I got a bit of long dead black and light colored undercoat out. But the length is still there.
It did not seem to bother Eddee. I made sure not to try and strip his sanitary areas. I did not try and strip his face or head or ears.
I have another couple hundred questions if you wouldn't mind answering them.
Would it be better to strip right after bathing?
Do I keep stripping if there is hair still coming out on a daily basis?
Should I just strip until desired length is acquired? I see you stated that stripping for weeks will acquire layers.
If nothing loose comes out ... what is your take on this? Maybe he is not a dog who really needs stripping?
I really appreciate you taking the time to help with this!
EDIT: I only worked on him for about an hour. I see you previously stated that stripping over time will acquire layers.
Ok, thats a good start. What you are starting with is a coat that is all one lenght, and likely blown. Meaning dead and ready to be pulled so new hairs can start growing in that follicle. With wire coats, new hairs dont grow unless the dead hair is plucked or falls from the follicle. When you cut the hairs, that folicle remains clogged with that dead hair shaft, and nothing grows from it. If you continue to do that, over a few clippings, all that will be left growing is undercoat, which is why you see the colr and texture of the dog change. Its not that the hairs themselves change, but that only undercoat grows back. Undercoat is generally lighter in color, hence why most dogs turn lighter colors. Ok, so I just went off subject..lol
Anyway...you will have to keep pulling ALL the dead hair until at some point, you have ideally a few layers of length in the coat. A layer of dead or almost dead coat, a layer of prime coat, and a new, short layer that is just getting started. Of course you can have more than 3 layers too. But if you dont pull the coat regularly(depends on each individual dog. Some need pulling every week, some you can get away with 2-3 weeks) then the layers all catch up to each other and the entire coat is blown again. It is going to take some time, weeks, of regular pulling before you will be able to see layers, and get the coat to a length you like.
No, do not bathe then strip. Always strip a dirty coat. A clean coat is too slippery, and bathing softens it a bit for,a,few days, making it harder to pull. Dirty coats pull easiest.
If nothing loose is coming out, it could be a few things. It could be that you need to pull harder. Some coats (airedale coats for instance are hard pullers). It could be that the coat is not ready to come out yet. Could be you need a better grip on the hair. Ear powder is a cheap, and great way to grip hair better. It couldmbe you are trying to pull too many hairs at once. You will have to pull pretty good. The hair wont just fall out in your hand with a little tug. Try using some powder to get a better grip with your fingers and see if you have better results.
From the looks of his coat, it is mostly blown and ready to be pulled. Might just need to use some more elbow grease. If that fails, this is about the only time I would recommend a coat king. That will cut some hair, and over time, change the texture of the coat, but if its not pulling out, its a better option than just clipping it.
Feel free to ask away. I am happy to answer all that I am able to.
