How to Groom a Cairn Terrier
When you groom your Cairn Terrier, you have to remove dead hair from its coat. This is important because Cairns do not shed, they just hang onto their hair follicles. If you’re unsure how to do it, you may want to hire a professional groomer or follow a step-by-step guide to make the task easy. If you’re new to this process, you can ask your veterinarian for recommendations on reputable groomers.
Sentinel Stripping knives are handmade in Belgium and are made of high-quality metal alloy. These knives are lighter than other hand-stripping tools and weigh only 30 grams. Beech wood is used in the construction, and FCS-approved varnish is used to protect the wooden handle. These knives are a good choice for commercial and show dog stripping. If you’re unsure, consider purchasing a stripping knife with an FCS-approved handle.
Hand-stripping services are also available. A hand stripping session is recommended every four to six months. The shorter time between sessions will ensure your Cairn Terrier stays clean and outlines well. It is important to remember that Cairn Terriers are very affectionate animals. If you’re not comfortable giving them a professional stripping session, ask a friend to do it for you. They will appreciate the effort and knowledge you’ll treat them well.
When you trim a terrier’s coat, it’s important to remember that it’s made up of 3 distinct colors: the top layer is wire-textured and colored, while the undercoat is thin and dull in color. It’s very important not to cut off the red hair as it’s a beautiful color. Cutting it off will leave soft, uncomfortable fur underneath. If your terrier doesn’t get the proper trim, it will grow softer in the future.
To maintain the best look and health of your Cairn, it’s important to strip it regularly.
A full undercoat stripping can be performed once or twice a year if you’re not planning to show it in the dog ring. But if you’re not planning on showing your Cairn in the ring, you should consider doing it regularly every two to four weeks. And remember to take pictures of the finished result, and never cut a Cairn’s head if you can’t find it.
Before stripping the coat, you’ll have to check the length of the knife. If it’s long, make sure to see the coat on both sides of your thumb. Then, start by removing the outer and upper hips, working your way down to the tail. Once you’ve removed the outer layer, you can then form a ledge from the pin bone to the hip bone. Then, fill in the tail between your thumb and blade, blending it with the hair at the croup.
Adult dogs should always be stripped by hand. This is best done during their natural shedding period, and make sure to use grooming chalk beforehand. For safety purposes, you should first comb your dog with a fine tooth comb, and then begin stripping. You should also remember to hold the knife perpendicular to the coat so that you don’t cut it. When stripping a dog, you should make sure to remove dead hair and not cut it.
If you are doing this daily, you should also make sure to trim the nails.
A good brushing will remove most of the dirt, and bathing is only needed if it is muddy on its belly or feet. You can also purchase special shampoos for Cairns, which are less likely to cut the quick. A Dremel can also be used to clip nails.
Once you have decided to get a cairn terrier stripping tool, you must be careful with the hair. You should be very careful when pinching, but a good grip is necessary for significant results. While you pinch the hair, keep your thumb and index finger on the underside of the follicle, and use your other hand to stretch the skin in opposite directions. This will make the process easier.
