Hand stripping question

[Terri in Devon]

I would like to have a go at hand stripping Ollie.  I have used the comb and elastic band and it has got rid of all his puppy fur but I am now left with the fur on his back which his about 3" long all over.  How long will his fur be when the hand stripping is complete. I am new to all this so would be grateful for any advice.  Ollie is 11 months old, black show cocker. 

[ebony girl]

have no advice im afraid but am gonna be interested in this thread as it was gonna be my next posted question also  ....lets hope some experts come along soon and give us some advice x

[louisedi]

The cocker spaniel club, do a booklet on grooming cockers, there is also a dvd on grooming the cocker spaniel, if you are able to go and  watch a groomer hand stripp its worth a visit, as there is a knack!

[Jane S]

I would like to have a go at hand stripping Ollie.  I have used the comb and elastic band and it has got rid of all his puppy fur but I am now left with the fur on his back which his about 3" long all over.  How long will his fur be when the hand stripping is complete. I am new to all this so would be grateful for any advice.  Ollie is 11 months old, black show cocker.  

Perhaps you could post a photo of Ollie so we can get an idea of how far you've got? Hand stripping doesn't shorten the hair as such - it removes all the excess, dead puppy fluff hopefully leaving a nice flat coat once finished (not that hand stripping is ever really finished, more like a constant work in progress, specially on a black )

[Terri in Devon]

Will get back to you with a photo, glad I'm not the only one not knowing what I should be doing!

[Terri in Devon]

Will try again with the photo!!

[Terri in Devon]

The best photo I could get as he does not stand still long enough, hope you can give some advice.

[curly_locks]

To my untrained eye it looks like he still has some more to be stripped out - I've recently had Sonny handstripped by a groomer, he's 10.5 months old and a black show-type, I had done some myself with a comb and elastic band and a little coat king type comb but really needed a professional to finish off all the bits I couldn't quite get right.

He never seems to look dramatically different after stripping but looking at photo's from a few weeks ago I can see that his back looks a lot smoother and shorter now, I think it's a case of doing a bit at a time and eventually it looks the way you want. I found this video which really helped me to get started, there are more of the same lady & dog that show how to do the head and paws/legs http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Hand-strip-the-Back---English-Cocker-Spaniel-198452781

I have also been given a stripping stone which seems to work really well, it looks a bit like a pumice stone, you just sort of stroke the dog with it and lots of fur comes flying out!

[Terri in Devon]

Thanks for your reply curly locks.  I did think he needed more stripped out but wondered how long his back fur would be when he was finished.  I know it's an on-going job but just wanted to know what I am aiming for.  I don't intend showing him but wanted him to look tidy without being clipped.  I haven't been able to find a groomer who knows how to strip a cocker, so have been having his feet and feathers tidied up but have not let her touch his back in the hope I could master the technique of hand stripping.  I will have a look at the video you suggest.  Could you possibly put a photo of Sonny on here so I can have a look at what I am aiming for.  Many thanks

[curly_locks]

This is before he saw the groomer


and this is after (he looks a bit scruffy because he hasn't been brushed for a few days)



I hope the difference shows on the photo's - it's almost impossible to get him to stand still I'm not sure the hair looks shorter just a lot thinner and less bushy so it sits flatter. I can still pull hair out from his back quite easily now, I think with a black cocker it really is an ongoing thing. I too struggled to find a groomer who would handstrip but thanks to COL I managed to find one, although I did have to travel a bit to get to her. I think that now he's had the basics done I can keep up with the rest myself - I recently met a very nice couple who used to show cockers and have offered to teach me how to trim & strip him, hopefully I won't do too badly.

[Terri in Devon]

Yes, I can see the difference, what a lovely boy.  If I could get Ollie looking as good as Sonny I'd be really pleased.  Love the shiney coat too.  Thanks for posting your photos I will have another go tomorrow, I looked at the video, she makes it look so easy!

[curly_locks]

Hi Terri, just wondered how you're getting on with Ollie's coat?