Terrier Hand Stripping in Hartford, CT
Hand stripping keeps a wire coat harsh, bright and weatherproof — the way your terrier's coat is meant to be. Priced honestly by the hour, one dog at a time.
Why We Strip, Not Clip
A wire coat grows a harsh outer hair over a soft undercoat. Clip it, and the soft hair takes over: the color fades, the coat goes fluffy and it stops shedding water and dirt. Hand stripping lifts out the old, dead outer hair by hand so a new harsh coat grows in its place. It takes longer and it takes practice — it's all we've done for fourteen years — but it's the only way to keep a terrier looking and feeling like a terrier.
- ✓Keeps color and harsh texture
- ✓Coat stays weather-resistant
- ✓Painless on a coat that's ready
- ✓Clipping offered if you prefer
Services & Prices
Hand stripping is priced by time at $80 an hour, and we tell you the estimate at drop-off. Most Border and Cairn terriers take about two hours, Westies and schnauzers two to two and a half, Airedales three to four.
Full Hand Strip$80 / hour
The whole coat taken back so a new harsh coat can grow — usually two to four times a year. Big coats can be split over two visits.
Rolling Coat MaintenanceFrom $80
About an hour every four to six weeks, lifting the ripest hair so the coat always looks finished.
Clipper TrimFrom $85
A neat clipper trim in your breed's outline. Faster and cheaper — the coat will soften and lighten over time.
Breed-Profile TrimFrom $110
Body clipped, with furnishings, beard and eyebrows hand-scissored to the breed's classic shape.
Bath & Tidy$55
A bath, dry, brush-out, nails and a face and feet tidy between strips.
Puppy Coat Start$60
A gentle first strip of the puppy fluff, usually at four to six months, to get the adult coat off to a good start.
Wire Coats We Know By Heart
Border & Cairn terriers
Tidy, natural outlines that look like they've never seen a groomer — on purpose.
Schnauzers
Mini, standard and giant: harsh jackets, crisp beards and brows.
Westies & Scotties
The classic chrysanthemum head and a jacket that stays white and bright.
Airedales & Welsh terriers
Big coats, stripped over one long visit or two shorter ones.
Wire fox terriers
A clean jacket with neat legs and a long, square head.
Wirehaired dachshunds & pointers
Light, natural stripping that keeps the coat practical.
How A Wire Coat Stays Right
Coat check
We feel how ready the coat is and give you a time estimate.
Full strip
The ripe outer coat comes out so a fresh one can grow.
Rolling visits
Short visits every four to six weeks keep layers coming through.
Repeat when ready
A full strip again when the coat blows, usually two to four times a year.
Wire-Coated Regulars
From Terrier People
Our Border terrier's coat came back harsh and red again after two strips. Clipping had turned it soft and fluffy — I didn't know it could be fixed.
They explained exactly why our schnauzer's coat looked faded and gave us the choice: strip it or clip it, no pressure either way.
Our Airedale is a big job and they split the first strip over two mornings so he never got sore or bored. He looks like the breed book now.
Rolling maintenance every six weeks means our Westie always looks tidy and never needs a big overhaul.
Finally a groomer who knows what a wirehaired dachshund is supposed to look like.
Not Sure If Your Dog's Coat Can Be Stripped?
Most clipped coats can be brought back over two or three strips. Book a coat check with your first visit and we'll tell you honestly what's possible.
Hand Stripping FAQs
Does hand stripping hurt?
Not when the coat is ready — the old hair is already loose and comes away easily. We check readiness first and take breaks. Sensitive areas are trimmed instead.
How often does a wire coat need stripping?
A full strip two to four times a year, or short rolling visits every four to six weeks so the coat never needs a big overhaul.
Can a clipped coat go back to wire?
Often, yes. It usually takes two or three strips as the soft hair is worked out and harsh hair grows back.
How much does hand stripping cost in Hartford?
Hand stripping is usually priced by time because every coat is different. We charge $80 an hour: most Border terriers take about two hours ($160), Westies and schnauzers two to two and a half, Airedales three to four. You get an estimate at drop-off.
Why is it more than a clipper trim?
Stripping is done by hand, a few hairs at a time, so it takes two or three times longer than clipping the same coat.
What vaccinations do you need?
Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella for adult dogs; puppies up to date on their age-appropriate shots.
Clip Or Strip?
Stripping isn't for every household. Older dogs, dogs with sensitive skin and busy families often do better with a clipper trim or a breed-profile trim that keeps the outline and skips the hours on the table. We'll explain the trade-off and groom the way that suits your dog.
- ✓Clipper trims from $85
- ✓Breed-profile trims from $110
- ✓Switch to stripping any time
Book A Strip Or A Coat Check
Tuesday to Saturday, by appointment. Tell us your dog's breed and when the coat was last done.
Request A Time
We reply the same business day with open times and a time estimate for your dog's coat.
- Visit us1010 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105
- Call us(860) 555-0184
- Email ushello@wirecombegrooming.com
- Opening hoursMon: Closed, Tue – Sat: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sun: Closed