Stripping or trim?

[Laundrytrousers]

We have an 8 year old Norfolk Terrier who really needs stripping, but he hates it so much. I have done a combination of stripping and a kitchen sissor trim to date, but this winter he is looking super bedraggled and has some matting, because he simply will not let me strip or brush him properly especially under his neck and chest. At the moment the will just about tollerate a hygenie trim round his bum and legs and me using a stripping comb on is back half, but with a double coat there is so much undercoat as well as long top coat.

I have never taken him to a professional groomer, but I think that he really needs everything shaved off and brushed out. Any thoughts most welcome. I don't actually care what he looks like as long he is comfy, though there is so much dander and undecoat shedding that I am having a bit of a reaction.

He gets peanut butter on a toy btw when I brush him or try to comb out undeer coat or occaisionally strip with stripping knife.

Personally, I’d take him to a groomer. They know what they’re doing, and it’s so much easier. Matting is hard to get rid of once it’s formed if your dog is uncooperative. If you really want to go it alone, a furminator is good for getting rid of loose undercoat, and there are plenty of cheaper imitations on Amazon.

If he's matted then he really needs to see a groomer - it will be incredibly painful for him otherwise.

With a double coat is it okay just to have it clipped (not sure what the the term is)? I have been told it ruins a double coat, but we aren't showing him and border terriers have a similar coats but are often clipped I think rather than stripped?

The matting is not widespread atm just three or four twists under arms and on chest. I would never try and comb them out, but If distracted I can sometimes cut one.

I would just get the poor wee man clipped by a professional groomer. I used to get my Cairn Terrier hand stripped for the first few years but then changed to clipping and never looked back. It’s so much quicker for them and you can choose exactly how you want it cut. Unless they are being shown or are working dogs out in all weathers it is just so much easier all round.

if he doesn’t like being stripped now, he’s unlikely to tolerate it any better as he gets older so you’re best getting him used to the groomer now.

@Laundrytrousers - I have Border terriers , with the double coat as you say .
We send ours to a professional groomer. Eldest boy (15) no longer goes as the stripping now makes him unhappy, but his coat is the least of our problems at the moment so he just gets brushed . But I have always been told clipping is no good for a double coat and we have never done it nor have any other Border owners I know. Bizarrely Dyson do a dog attachment where you can hoover your dog , I kid you not. It a brush which takes the hairs straight in the vacuum.

If he has matting etc I would send him to a professional groomer and see how that works . I personally would not clip a double coat.

But good luck

I'd take your dog to the groomers before it gets more Matt's.

Even three or four matts will be very painful - especially if they're under his legs so will be pulling on his skin every time he moves.

I would go to see a professional as soon as possible and let them make the best decision for your dog.

My border terrier goes to a groomer. In two hours and £30 she can do a much better, quicker and professional job than I can. She is stripped and then the delicate bits trimmed. It's well worth the money for someone to do it properly and if they don't feel they can strip then they will advise on clipping, trimming or a mix.

I have a border terrier who we always used to send to the groomers to get stripped.
She's 11 now and of late finds being stripped uncomfortable
so we get her clipped.
I can't really tell the difference.

My late BC wasn't overly tolerant of me brushing her but in the words of the groomer 'an absolute wee angel', you may find he's good for groomer, definetely get him booked in, mats are sore.

Thanks for messages. Strip/trim between £60-80 near us, but seems like the best option. I will discuss and book today, just don't want him to be distressed, either way.

You can over time. Clipped dogs go lighter. You are clipping both layers rather than stripping out the dead topcoat so some dead coat will remain. It changes the texture. That said, when they get older then you do what is best for them but if you can strip you should as it helps maintain the skin and coat quality better.

I showed Cairns for decades. To get the best coat it’s stripping they need. If it’s done at the right time , when the coat has blown, it doesn’t hurt at all. Trimming will ruin a show coat, take eighteen months to get back properly.