ADVANCED GROOMING TUTORIALS
German Wirehaired Pointer
RUE
How do you know if a coat is blown? Michelle Weber has the answers for you, and much more. In this series of videos, featuring beautiful 10 month old GWHP Rue, Michelle demonstrates how to maintain a wire haired coat that is blown. You can view the breed standard for this dog here.
PART 1 Michelle uses a stripping knife, finger condoms, chalk and a pumice stone to remove the dead coat.
PART 2 Stripping the neck. This can be a sensitive area for the dog, introduce the dog slowly to this area.
PART 3 Stripping the rear and front legs. When removing dead hair from sensitive areas, take small amounts at a time.
PART 4 Stripping the face.
Breed Standard at Dogs Australia
Study Notes | Key Concepts
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Begin with a stripped coat; start on areas that are blown, where the coat stays upright.
Use a mix of tools like stripping knives, pumice stones, and finger condoms for grip.
Maintain a flat coat along the body to show the muscular structure; stripping preserves color and texture.
Strip back to the undercoat to remove dead hair without affecting the undercoat’s natural water resistance.
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German Wirehaired Pointers should have 3-4 cm of coat length for show; stripping down to the undercoat helps the coat grow back rich in color and texture.
Rolling the coat (stripping every two weeks) is another option to maintain optimal length and texture without creating bald patches.
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Work with the grain of the coat, especially in tricky areas like the neck and rear.
For sensitive areas, use fingers or a pumice stone to gently pull fewer hairs at a time.
Hold the skin taut in sensitive areas to avoid discomfort and strip small sections gradually.
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Define the stop and strip down the skull for a clean, flat head with a slight slope.
Leave a small beard and create clean, subtle eyebrows for a balanced facial expression.
Expose the ear leather, stripping the ears carefully to avoid discomfort.
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Double-check symmetry across the head, shoulders, and legs.
Use chalk or other grip aids to manage slippery coat sections and ensure thorough stripping.
Expect to invest 2-3 hours for a full hand strip on a German Wirehaired Pointer, especially with a blown coat.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Essential Guide to Hand Stripping is a comprehensive online course designed to teach you everything you need to know about Hand Stripping. Created in partnership with award winning groomer and judge Chuckie Lund, you can check it out at igroomschool.
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