MASTERCLASS

Griffon Bruxellois

MICHELLE WEBER

BONNIE

In this tutorial, Michelle will be grooming the gorgeous Griffon, Bonnie. Instead of a full hand strip, Michelle will be performing a pet strip, aiming to maintain Bonnie’s texture, color, and distinctive square shape.

Equipment used:

  • Diama stripper

  • Pumice stone

  • Chalk

  • Finger condoms

This tutorial is also available as a fastForward

Part 1 Bonnie's coat is almost blown, making this the perfect opportunity to remove the dead outer coat and encourage healthier regrowth. Michelle demonstrates how to work through a coat that lacks undercoat while maintaining enough coverage for a practical pet trim.

Part 2 With the jacket underway, attention turns to the rear, furnishings and underline. Learn how to create the compact, muscular outline typical of the Griffon while building healthy coat layers through the legs and maintaining the breed's characteristic shape.

Part 3 This section focuses on refining the tail, neck and throat. Michelle explains how regular hand stripping gradually improves coat texture and colour over time, while creating the tight, square outline that helps define the breed.

Part 4 The finishing touches bring Bonnie's Griffon expression to life. Watch how the domed head, short ears and tidy stop work together to highlight the breed's signature beard and cheeky monkey-like appearance.

Study Notes | Key Concepts

    • The Brussels Griffon is a wire-coated toy breed with a playful, “monkey-like” appearance.

    • The goal of hand-stripping is to maintain harsh texture and rich color, which are lost through clipping.

    • Regular 6-week grooming maintains coat health and improves ease of stripping.

    • Use thumb and finger, a diamond stripping knife, or fine tools depending on coat density and sensitivity.

    • Work with coat direction and layer by layer to prevent bald spots.

    • Avoid over-stripping blown coats (when hair is too dead), but still aim to remove the top layer.

    • Follow a schnauzer-like pattern: tight body, square outline, slight furnishings on legs.

    • Strip the rear from the flank to the bend of the knee to a tight finish.

    • Stretch the skin for easier, safer stripping, especially in delicate or wiggly dogs.

    • Use thinning shears only when needed to blend or reduce bulk, especially in sensitive zones.

    • Maintain healthy furnishing layers on legs; avoid shortening too much.

    • Aim for tight, rounded, cat-like feet by stripping and blending hair down.

    • Work from the longest hairs, checking for symmetry and avoiding abrupt transitions.

    • The head should be short and domed—no eyebrows.

    • Strip the stop area short to highlight the eyes and cheeky expression.

    • Preserve the beard—the breed’s defining feature—while working dead coat out to maintain texture.

    • Ears should be short, tight, and stripped into a V-shape.

    • Majority of stripping is done on a dirty coat for better grip, followed by a bath and light tidy.

    • Dogs with previous clipper damage may have patchy or soft coats; patience is key.

    • Work with client expectations (e.g., time, budget) and prioritise coat health and comfort.