07/02/2026
Hand stripping on a West Highland White Terrier (Westie) 🐶
Hand stripping means removing dead, wiry coat by hand (or with a stripping knife) instead of clipping.
Westies have a double coat:
Top coat: harsh, wiry, weather-resistant
Undercoat: soft and fluffy
Stripping pulls out the dead top coat so a new harsh coat grows back.
Why it matters for Westies ?
1. Hand stripping keeps the coat white, wiry, and correct, maintains proper texture (not soft or woolly)
2. Preserves natural colour (clipping often turns the coat cream/grey)
3.Helps with skin health and ventilation
4.Maintains the classic Westie outline
Clipping:
Softens the coat permanently over time causes fading and matting, and can increase skin problems.
When to start ?
Usually from 5–7 months old, once the puppy coat starts to “blow”
After that, it’s maintained regularly
How often ?
Full strip every 8–12 weeks
Does it hurt?
No, if done correctly.
Only dead hairs are removed if the coat is “ripe,” hairs come out easily.
A dog in pain = coat not ready or poor technique.
Most Westies tolerate it really well, especially if introduced young.
