Plucking???

[DachsieLVR]

I'm doing research on Wires. I have a smooth and LH already, and their grooming requirements are standard to minimal. I would love to adopt a Wire in the future and am wanting to learn as much as I can. I did hear that Wires need their coat plucked. Is that correct? How is that done and how often? Is this something I can learn to do myself, or should I have a groomer do it? If anyone has any websites to direct me to, that would be great as well. Thanks!

[catstamm]

In order to groom a wire properly they need to be hand stripped (plucked)... My rescue partner has a wire and every few months she has to hand strip her....it takes 5.5 hrs!!!!
That's a lot of dedication...to much for me :Sun2:
Personally speaking, if wires aren't groomed properly, they don't look like doxies to me...:faint:... they look like terriers w/ short legs LOL
I LOVE a well groomed wire...but I wouldn't own one because of the grooming :sorry:

[Irminsul]

I pluck (strip) mine about two to four times a year, depending on how fuzzy they are. Here is an old thread on the topic:

http://www.dachsie.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=41458&highlight=stripping+wire

[zoeysmom]

Some wires are easier to strip than others. Zoey took a long time to wire-up. She doesn't require a lot - an hour or so a couple of times a year keeps her in pretty good (though certainly not 'show coat') shape.

Others have a softer coat and hand stripping is a little more difficult and time consuming.

Most groomers do not hand strip - either they don't care to - or don't know how, and I think paying one of them to do it would be very expensive given the time than can be involved.

Using clippers on them can change the texture of their hair.

Hand stripping isn't a big deal - it's not hard to do but it's one of those things that is probably easier to see than to have explained in print. It seems an ideal short subject for a You Tube video - unfortunately last time I searched there was no such video available.

the little fuzzy wire faces just melt my heart:)

[catstamm]

Now that it's been mentioned....Rowdie is a soft coated wire....maybe that is why she is so hard to strip.
There is a lady in San Diego that does hand stripping for 75.00... which isn't bad if you do it 2 x a year
This is Rowdie...
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/catstamm/100_0585.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/catstamm/100_0596.jpg

[DachsieLVR]

Thanks guys!! I'll take a look at that thread too. I figured this has been brought up before, but forgot that there was a way to search previous threads! Doh!

So, would you guys recommend a Wire for a novice?

[graci67]

I have a wire, and I just pluck a little hair everyday where it looks shaggy. most wires dont mind it. if you do get a wire, your probably going to have to learn how to do it yourself because most groomers dont even know what stripping is.. I asked my groomer if she would strip Graci and she gave me this look like I was crazy :D

good luck finding the perfect one!

[Mark]

There's been advice in this thread. :thumbsup:

Several years ago
I had found this on the net . . . hope it helps.

STRIPPING THE COAT

Wire Dachsies have a "double-coat". There is a longer, harsh top coat with a dense, woolly undercoat beneath. Two or three times a year the long, dead top coat will need to be plucked out to allow the new top coat to grow in. Wires have the advantage of not moulting like other dogs.

You can take your pet wire to a grooming parlour to have his coat stripped or you can, with time and patience, do it yourself. If you decide to do it yourself, choose a time when the dog is relaxed and lying quietly
beside you.

Starting at the neck, raise a fold of skin with one hand - you will see the long hairs of the top coat standing away from the woolly
undercoat. Taking a few of the long top coat hairs between the finger and thumb of your other hand, pluck them out. If the coat is ready to come out, the top coat will come away easily without distressing the dog.

Continue down one side of the dog, then the other and down the back, until the dog is in his undercoat all over. This could take several sessions over a few days to achieve. Be kind and firm and patient at all times.

Finally, tidy the tail and legs with a stripping knife (a blade between two combs) which can be obtained from pet shops and dog
shows.

[Lambygyrl]

I'd learn how to do it myself... I used to hand strip Scootman before his back surgery... now I hand strip a little in placed where I know it won't cause his any undue stress. I always trim his beard & brows, around his butt and in between his toes, etc. Sometimes the groomers want to shave the dog & that ruins the coat.

[DachsieLVR]

Yes, I've seen plenty of dogs... not all Dachsies... who's coats were simply destroyed by one shave down. :faint: I don't think I would ever do that. Thank you all so much for the good info (Mark, that quick tutorial is awesome). I'm kinda hoping that when I find the right Wire for me, someone will have made a "how to pluck" home video!:pray:

[Weeweeniekennel]

I have two wire that i show and they are a work in progress. I work on them a little each day I have a stripping stone that I use that won't make a hole in your coat. if you use a stipping blade you can do a lot of damage and they are very sharp i have cut myself and nicked Skylers ear. I have different blades for different times and places and that fit my hand as I have small hands with arthritis. I have gotten them from different catalogs as where we live the pet stores don't carry stripping blades and if they do it is a coasre blade and are not comfey to use. Where do you live I have some wire friends may be you live near one that could help you out

[DachsieLVR]

I live in Cincinati, OH. I have yet to see a Wire around here. The closest breeders I've found are in Dayton and Columbus.

[Amos' Mom]

I have not did anything with Amos yet. I am not sure that I am going to. He is a soft coat wirehair and I only have him to love and not show & love. At this time I am in awe over his look he has right now. I do make sure that he doesn't matt - I have brushed him occasionally, but of course it only lasts for 3 minutes or until he shakes! He is over a year old now, and I don't feel that he has to much hair. All of my neighbors love him the way he is and that is my feelings and also our families. Not to say someday I won't strip him but now I think he is a handsome devil with his hair!:Sun2:

[kpm_tex]

There is a video available from the UK.. DOn't know how good it is or if they ship to the US http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/sunsong/vidstrip.htm

[Cindi]

OK, I just have to jump in :) I AM a pet groomer for a living - over 30 years EEK I hate to even admit that out loud!! I don't handstrip for anyone as a pet groomer in the shop. It is too time consuming. However, I do use what I know to strip undercoat out of my *preferred* dogs :) as it makes them easier to groom and prettier in the end.

Preferred stripping knives are single edge *comb* type instruments - they no longer have blades in them although there are those type of instruments out there - those are cutting instruments however and you don't want those anywhere near your wire. They facilitate the pulling of the hair. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and handle materials. If you can get yourself to a dog show with vendors, you can actually hold them in your hand and see what feels good to you. What I prefer in my hand may not feel good to your hands. And many people prefer their fingers and a rubber thumb protector...it is all personal preference.

Having someone actually show you in person is preferred the first time - it makes so much more sense and you get the *feel* better. AND, not all wires are double coated and that is especially true of the soft coated ones. And soft coated wires sometimes are not conducive to hand stripping .... it is sometimes just painful for their skin types.

I CAN clipper a wire and make him/her appear to be in show trim. I can't always make the coat FEEL in show condition but I can make the dog *appear* to be in show condition. It is all in what YOU as the owner wish to accomplish. I have two retired show dogs that are clippered - they are 10 and 11 years old - one is still harsh coated, one is not - it is genetic. Two retired show dogs I still handstrip because they only need it 3-4 times a year and take me an hour to completely strip each - that is due to their coat type. Wires vary GREATLY in coat type - LOOK at KPM's pictures :) There is a vast difference in her wires!!!! One of hers it would be MEAN to strip - one might need stripping once a year <G>

In Ohio I KNOW there are people that would help instruct you how to groom a wire and once you get one I can put you in contact with them. They may not be in your backyard but you can meet them at a dog show!!!

Cindi

PS Wires are great fun and their grooming is NOT all consuming unless you let it get to you <GG>

[Weeweeniekennel]

I know people in every state around you there is a lady in Missouri that I got my wires from you could contact her she may know someone in your area.

Mod edit: please contact via PM if interested.