MASTERCLASS

Irish Terrier

CHUCKIE LUND

PRUE

Prue, a beautiful Irish Terrier, is about to be hand stripped by Chuckie. Although her coat has been clipped in the past, Chuckie will show you how to transition it back to hand stripping in this tutorial.

PART 1 Tools of the trade! Chuckie uses a slicker brush, grooming block, glove, stripping stone, finishing comb and a number of stripping knives.

PART 2 Once the sides of the dog are stripped, it is time for the top line. Chuckie combs the hair up, holds it between her fingers and strips out longer sections of the top line.

PART 3 Chuckie sets in Prue's neck and shoulders.Chuckie moves from a fine to coarse knife as she completes the flat work.

PART 4 The head study. The ears of any dog are highly vascular, so it is important be gentle when stripping any ear. Note when Chuckie is hand stripping, her wrist stays locked. This technique is both better for your hand and wrist ergonomically, and avoids breaking the hair.

Breed Standard at Dogs Australia

Study Notes | Key Concepts

    • For dogs with softened coats, start by thoroughly raking out dead undercoat before hand-stripping.

    • Use products like Plush Puppy Coat Rescue to strengthen the coat’s texture and encourage healthy new growth.

    • Begin hand-stripping at the neck, moving down the body. Keep the skin taut and avoid twisting the wrist to prevent injury.

    • Avoid creating holes by moving in small increments and keeping a steady pull on the coat to maintain direction.

    • Create a smooth, straight top line by blending the shoulders and loin. Use curved shears to subtly fill in dips and maintain flow from head to tail.

    • For a proper Irish Terrier head, establish a clear trim line from the corner of the eye to the lip. Avoid cutting into the stop area to keep the head flat.

    • Leave eyebrows in place but trim around them to keep the face balanced, using thinning shears for a soft finish.

    • Maintain a natural flow in the furnishings without over-trimming. Use chunkers on the front legs and ensure tight but proportional shaping on the feet for a clean finish.

    • Clip the tail with a slight taper, leaving a bit of volume near the base if the tail set is low to create the illusion of a higher placement.

    • Adjust the rear angulation by taking the coat tight around the stifle and keeping balance with the top line.

    • Always step back to assess symmetry, especially for competition grooming. Check the coat from all angles to ensure even blending and consistent lines.