MASTERCLASS

Irish Terrier

MICHELLE WEBER

FERGUS AND MURPHY

 WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE?

An introduction to hand stripping the Irish Terrier. Explore 2 different coat qualities on the same breed with our contributor, Michelle, and the handsome Fergus and Murphy. Learn how to correct a damaged coat, without adding any more stress to the hair.

FERGUS | 9 YEARS OLD

PART 1 Taking out the old undercoat, which Michelle calls “fairy floss”, then moving on to learning which tools to use on the top coat.

PART 2 Michelle explains why she prefers to strip a dirty coat, using lots of different tools and how to use them. See the difference six weeks can make.

PART 3 Starting on the thigh of the leg as this is a sensitive area. If your dog gets frustrated you can move to a different part of the leg. Understand what dead and blown hair is, and when to use stripping powder.

PART 4 When grooming any pure breed dog, it is very important to understand the breed standard. This tutorial focuses on the head.

PART 5 What is expected in the finishing process, after the bath. Everything up around the body with no more bulk removing, just neatening and tidying the groom.

Study Notes | Key Concepts

    • Start with removing dead undercoat to allow for new, coarse growth. Use a diamond stripper or pumice stone to reduce bulk without breaking the coat.

    • Regularly hand-strip to maintain the breed’s wiry coat texture, avoiding clippers as they soften the coat. Repeat every six weeks to encourage healthy growth.

    • Use a fine knife, diamond stripper, or grooming stone for detailed areas and damaged coats. Finger grips prevent blisters and improve grip when pulling smaller sections.

    • Always keep the skin taut when stripping to avoid damaging the coat and creating holes.

    • The top line should have a slight rise over the loin, ending at the base of the tail. Shape with curved shears, blending seamlessly from the shoulders to the rear.

    • Avoid creating a bulky or flat top line; the transition should be smooth and follow the dog’s natural shape.

    • The skull should be flat with no visible stop, and the eyebrows should be kept short and slightly arched.

    • The beard starts at the corner of the eye to the mouth, trimmed to keep it from appearing overly full. Use thinning shears to blend without cutting the shape.

    • Keep the legs tight and cylindrical, and avoid over-trimming the furnishings to maintain balance with the body.

    • Foot trimming should create a compact, natural appearance, emphasizing the slender, leggy look typical of Irish Terriers.

    • Sensitive areas like the flank, belly, and rear should be handled with gentle hand-stripping, pulling small sections at a time.

    • Check symmetry and ensure even blending throughout the coat for a balanced, polished finish that highlights the Irish Terrier’s natural angulation.

MURPHY | 9 MONTHS OLD

PART 1 Introduction, stripping the body. Checking your work is important! Work to remove lighter coloured hair. In delicate areas, only tackle small areas at a time.

PART 2 The neck - stripping with the grain of the coat. Having a break is important for both groomer and dog.

PART 3 The head - Michelle explains the nuances of the Irish Terrier head. Working to a system for efficiency.

Study Notes | Key Concepts

    • Medium-sized dog with a wiry appearance and minimal undercoat.

    • Needs regular hand-stripping to maintain coat health, color, and texture

    • Finger condoms: For grip in sensitive areas.

    • Pumice stone: To remove bulk hair without damaging the coat.

    • Diama Stripper: Effective for back areas, allowing for layering of the coat.

    • Plush Puppy Powder: Helps improve grip for effective stripping.

    • Start on the back jacket, where there is the most wiry texture.

    • Hand-strip along the grain of the hair, using skin tension to make the dog comfortable.

    • Use the pumice stone on larger areas and finger techniques for sensitive spots.

    • Ideal for show dogs; involves removing dead longer layers to maintain shorter underlayers.

    • Creates a layered look that supports coat health.

    • Use thumb and finger stripping on neck, underline, and ears due to the delicate skin.

    • Go slowly on younger dogs, using positive reinforcement and calming techniques.

    • Aim for a flat face with minimal “stop” (the slope between the eyes).

    • Carefully strip cheek and beard areas to keep a balanced look.

    • Maintain hair-free ears with hand stripping to preserve coat color.

    • Praise the dog to create a comfortable grooming experience.

    • Take breaks to avoid overstressing young or anxious dogs.