CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Grooming => Topic started by: BabyB on September 05, 2008, 05:37:00 PM
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I've been handstripping Henry since he as around 8 mths old (top of his head and his back) but now his legs look like furry moon boots, especially at the sides and the feathers on the backs of his front ones.
I trim his feet with scissors, but have no idea how to take the bulkiness away from them.
Any ideas? ta
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I'd be really interested to know this too! Paisley also has furry moon boots :005: and Isla is catching up with hers too! Their backs and head are pretty easy but I'm not sure how far round to go on the legs and they dont seem so keen on me doing it there either! :-\
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you could ask a groomer to start you off and then follow what they show you ;)
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I've been wondering this also. We hope to show Jade so she will have to be hand stripped when the time comes - something that is a bit daunting to me at the moment, as i don't want to go something that will wreck her coat instantly. I've been trying to find out which bits can be hand stripped and which areas have to be done with scissors etc. Silly question - When hand stripping the back, is it just the centre of the back or do you go down the sides to the feathering line (hope that makes sense)
Mods - It would be really good if someone could do a 'sticky' hand stripping guide similar to Michelle's clipping guide ;)
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You can hand strip down the legs but some areas are more comfortable than others so I use the thinning scissors aswell to get rid of some of the bulk.
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I've been wondering this also. We hope to show Jade so she will have to be hand stripped when the time comes - something that is a bit daunting to me at the moment, as i don't want to go something that will wreck her coat instantly. I've been trying to find out which bits can be hand stripped and which areas have to be done with scissors etc. Silly question - When hand stripping the back, is it just the centre of the back or do you go down the sides to the feathering line (hope that makes sense)
Mods - It would be really good if someone could do a 'sticky' hand stripping guide similar to Michelle's clipping guide ;)
The Cocker Spaniel Club do an inexpensive illustrated booklet on trimming including handstripping. It's mentioned in one of the sticky threads but in case you haven't seen it, here's a link to the page where you can buy a copy :
http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/merchandise.htm
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I ordered on of thoes booklets, and i'm still not sure as to what i should be doing :shades: may be it's just me.
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I ordered on of thoes booklets, and i'm still not sure as to what i should be doing :shades: may be it's just me.
I know it's tricky learning what is really an art from a booklet - maybe you could get along to a show or two and study how the dogs are presented (that's how I learned to begin with)? You'll find that there are different "styles" for want of a better word - not everyone trims their dog in exactly the same way (some leave more hair on than others, for example). Pups are also not expected to look like perfectly trimmed mini adults so you don't have to worry about that ;) All puppy coats are different and some coats will take a lot longer to be stripped out than others - it's not unusual to see pups at shows with fluffy sides and hairier legs than adults :D You'd start by doing the head, neck and along the back (or as much as is ready to come out) and then work on the sides later as the hair gets looser (and yes you would eventually aim to strip down to the feathering line just level with the elbow). It's a slow process but well worth it for the end result :D
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Chelsea's recent photo of Lacey is a good example that showing a 'hairy' pup doesn't count against you. Be patient and it will come with time.
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=48608.msg690414#msg690414
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Just a note to say thanks for the great advice.
Gill (their lovely breeder) saw my post and e-mailed me too. So with a mixture of everyones advice, Henry now no longer has legs that a yettie would have been proud of :005: and the ironing board is a godsend too :shades:
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I've got one of the booklets from the Cocker Spaniel Club, its really good and gives lots of useful advice.