ANOTHER STUPID QUESTION

[GarryJ]

Hi

You guys talk of stipping your dogs as opposed to clipping, what is the difference, my friend told me that when a dog is stipped the fur is pulled out by hand, but that sounds pretty cruel to me.

My eldest has a short coat so I don't have to worry about her but my little one will have a thick coat and will look quite shaggy in a few months I am sure.                    

[KellyP]

Hi Garry,

yes stripping is where the fur is pulled out  - however it does not hurt as the fur you are pulling out is dead and loose anyway, the most the dog should feel is a tug, but no pain/pinching.
Millie doesn't mind being "plucked" but she doesn't like the rubber gloves and tries to bite them!   (the gloves give more grip in case you were wondering)

There are a few threads further back on stripping .... I'll try and find some and post the links back here for you  

edited to add in a link

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/forum/viewtopic . php?t=71

this is a very good thread started by Mike HTH                    

[Luvlylady]

Right ive already established that i dont like the thin legged look poor things being called match stick legs now:D
But she has got a bit of a do doing on her head, so i got me rubber gloves out and pull small bits at a time but its not budging . im not going to pull anyharder why wont it come out?                    

[KellyP]

It may not be ready to come out yet - not all of the fur is ready at the same time. I'd just keep trying a little each day - make sure you have a firm grip and give a good tug  
When I do Millie's head I barely have any in my fingers, literally a tiny amount to pull and it seems to come out fine then Also I hold the fur quite close to the ends so I don't end up holding fur thats not going to give - if you get what I mean