MASTERCLASS
Fox Terrier Wire
TUCKER
Alicia demonstrates a beautiful show clip on Tucker the Fox Terrier. Tucker was prepared 3 weeks ago and is now ready for the final touches before he enters the ring. The Fox Terrier coat is difficult to work with - you will see why!
Part 1 This hand strip is not for the faint hearted. This is one of the most difficult dogs to get right. Breaking the coat can discolour the dog. If you’ve never hand stripped, do not make a Foxy your first try! Ensure your technique is refined. Neck and wither work, jacket, tail and legs make up this first section.
Part 2 Setting in the neck, shoulder, ears and face.
Part 3 Flat work on the neck with a fine knife, underline and legs. It takes time to get the balance right!
Part 4 Finally, Alicia takes us through her show-prep on Tucker, demonstrating techniques that you would undertake in the last 15 minutes of a competition groom.
Breed Standard at Dogs Australia
Study Notes | Key Concepts
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Maintaining a Wire Fox Terrier for show requires continuous work.
Weekly flat work and regular stripping ensure that new coat growth is available for competitions.
Coats that are neglected will not produce new layers.
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Use a coarse knife for the initial stripping and switch to finer knives for detail work.
Ensure you strip the coat to the quill to prevent breaking, which can result in colour fading and softening of the coat.
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The breed's structure demands attention to the neck-to-withers transition, a straight top line, and a high tail set.
Ensure the coat length is consistent across the jacket while maintaining shorter lengths in other areas.
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The head must have a flat skull with a narrow but strong appearance.
The coat on the ears can be stripped to skin level using an extra-fine knife.
Apply chalk to enhance colour but avoid overdoing it, especially in competition.
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For proper terrier structure, legs should look like columns with tight furnishings.
Minimal coat is taken off the feet to maintain their tight, neat appearance. Use fingers, not knives, to avoid coat breakage.
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Use cholesterol cream as a base before applying chalk.
Chalk is used to add volume, enhance coat colour, and create a balanced look for the dog.
Always check with show judges regarding the use of chalk.
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Keep the dog comfortable by using gentle, small grabs when working in sensitive areas like the belly and undercarriage.
Avoid harsh or rushed movements to ensure the dog stays calm during the grooming process.
Want to learn hand stripping properly?
The Essential Guide to Hand Stripping takes you beyond the introduction, with detailed learning on coat and hair, tools, terminology, technique, rolling and staging coats, breed standards, handling considerations and more.
Some of the breed demonstrations included in the course are already available to you here on igroomhub, so Members receive 50% off the full course.
Use code CHUX at checkout
