Grooming Guide - Border Terrier Handstrip - Pro Groomer

How to handstrip a Border Terrier at home.
Watch as Julie Lalou handstrips a pet Border Terrier.
A Border Terrier has a clean all-over strip meaning that the whole dog is stripped right back. For the show ring, these dogs should have a rolled coat, however that would involve stripping sections of the coat weekly which is unrealistic for pet dogs. Therefore we wait until the dog has a blown coat and strip it right back to undercoat two to four times a year. Featured below, the lovely Alfie is owned by Dog World boss Stuart Baillie.
How to trim a Border Terrier at home.
Home Border Terrier trim
Pet Border Terrier haircut

[@tammykelly2336]

18:58 My son, who lives with us, brought a border terrier puppy home from the shelter. I had never heard of the breed before and only learned he was a border terrier from Google lens. I must say he is a perfect dog, so far. He’s four months old now. He is so friendly and happy and smart and one of the cutest puppies I have ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing this video so we can know how to take care of him in the future! ❤

[@tammykelly2336]

He looked absolutely gorgeous after you finished stripping his coat! Thank you so much! Wonderful video!

[@stevestandley5571]

Border Terriers are like that. they have the patience of Saints. You cannot provoke them. They have incredible prey drive, but they are the most tolerant of people and other dogs. RIP Roger, my Border Terrier. He was a Saint.

[@skudlugs]

Just got a puppy, your words gave me encouragement, had a yorkie b4 but this BT is my 1st.

[@L-mo]

very true. I love my border terrier. He's so good with other dogs, never ever starts any trouble.

[@robertdundee2011]

3 borders live in my street. We have had 2 now and I can confirm they all hate each other! All boys. Our pup was bemused at the commotion at first but has learned to hate his neighbours just as much as his big brother did!

[@WorkHardBeNice]

I have never wanted anything more than I want a Border Terrier. Coolest breed ever.

[@rachelann9426]

I'm the same, I can't wait to get one

[@jamiecox2506]

Good job, lady. Very professional. You said he was no the finest specimen at the beginning but I think he proved you wrong. Outstanding dog!

[@jmiller3579]

I have realized he is able to sire!

[@natalieg3407]

I’ve never stripped a Border before and studied this video before he arrived and had it playing while I was doing it. Fantastic easy to follow video. The Border was fantastic and looked as good as yours did! The owner gave me a 30.00 tip! So thank you 🙏

[@jamiejohnson5592]

This is SO HELPFUL! We thought we were hand stripping our Border Terrier correctly, when all we were doing was partially stripping her. You are gentle and a fabulous teacher. Thank you, Julie!

[@siouxs5397]

Brilliant video. My Bertie (rip) used to lay on his sides while I stripped them, he would fall asleep. Such a great dog loved him very much.

[@blueharpy]

The pertinent closeups with the type and use of the tools are SO great. Thank you!

[@emermbiemer302]

Alfie is a fine specimen

[@sylviacrawford7195]

I never grow tired of this… the right and wrong way becomes self evident each time I see it.

[@Slugbunny]

Being fair to the animal, a very important point. Thanks for the informative video! 😺

[@JH-lo9ut]

What a well-behaved dog.

[@alexandrahaney8733]

im just distracted by you saying he isn't the finest specimen at the beginning.... he is beyond the finest thank you very much!

[@anal.castaneda1156]

Yeah all dogs all finest specimens, I’m pretty sure she regretted hace said that.

[@darrelahles9522]

Thanks for all the useful tips. My BT is 9 years old and mirrors the good fellow in your clip.

[@Danbbqman]

This was fantastic. I wish you lived near me. I would take my Border to you every 6 months! I am going to try this myself - wish me luck!

[@skudlugs]

How did it go?

[@kristyo1645]

Thank you so much for this video! We just adopted a dog in July. She looks like a border terrier, but her ears stick up...so...some kind of mix. I stumbled upon this video and I saw what you described...the sticking up, now loose hair. So today I gently tried hand stripping, to see if her mix would allow this. She LOVED it. She looks more beautiful and clean. Thank you. Thank you. I can now, more completely, care for my new sweet Pearl's coat. I am so glad to have learned from this video. 💝

[@bubblezovlove7213]

Good video! I'm about to give it a go for the first time. They are such a sweet dog arent they! I couldn't possibly love my Ted any more. Hes clever, caring , and funny and alsorts of other great things. Some of the clever things he has done have been so far past what I would think normal for a dog. So far... I hold his back paw sometimes as he sleeps near me in my bed. He got to know I liked that and if I'm asleep, hell still lick my hand to let me know hes there and then get comfy close enough that his paws are touching my hand. I've never trained him to do that. He does it ecause he knows I find it comforting and that is blummin amazing.....

[@Sara-mp8fq]

Great video, very informative! As a new groomer starting out, this helps so much! Thank you 🐾

[@blueharpy]

What a lovely boy, and a great, clear video. Thank you!

[@evakostow1756]

Big hug to this lovely dog, and many kisses.

[@gailkelsing]

Proper hand strip - great to see - very professionally done .

[@mjremy2605]

Excellent demo! I wondered what hand stripping was all about, now I know. I have a border terrier /chihuahua mix. This dog looked so good after the plucking, wow!

[@MalkyMcMillan]

Wee Alfie! Can't imagine our wee Fergus being quite so compliant.

[@RachelSmith-lc5td]

Great video, you explain everything perfectly 😊 and what a perfect hand strip

[@j.d.hughes3728]

An extremely good no nonsense video, Thank you.

[@stelphie]

Thank you so much ! I live in France and the breed is slowly getting known but the groomers in my rural area don’t know it so i am afraid they use scissors . I did it and the many advice, especially for the head and the tail were really helpful. Did it within 3hours exclusively by hand stripping. Took longer on the paws and the head ( being careful and trying to stretch the skin )❤

[@sheilanoneyabiz9379]

It was a delight watching how well you handled him. I got very upset when I watched (My Favorite Groomer) she is very rough and insensitive to the dogs needs, she also ends up taking all the dogs coat off which you can tell she has absolutely no patience or care for them. I refuse to watch her videos as I found myself very sad, annoyed and angry all together. So when I just started watching this video I can see the love she puts into the dogs, I felt so happy and comforted after watching it. Thank you for that. Please keep putting your videos out there for everyone to learn about their or other dog breed specifications. I groom my dogs at home and I try to learn as much as I possibly can about their breeds (American Eskimo dog & Yorkshire Terrier). Thank you 😊

[@brianbelfast3679]

Poor Alfie. He's proper sick of it but still being a good boy. I always allow lots of breaks for a rest.

[@redissuepaul]

This video is sooo relaxing to watch!

[@Chopbreaka]

Amazed how well behaved dog is . My Lakeland terrier is pretty much the same except when working on the fronts of her lower legs , she's very sensitive there .

[@GavinSnelson]

Aww, what a good dog he is. This is a really good tutorial, thanks.

[@christopherhansford6876]

Excellent tutorial, thank you! Alfie is gorgeous, and similar to my boy Ollie. No way would Ollie let me handle his tail so freely however.

[@МаринаУсова-ц6ф]

Это моя любимая порода!!!! Обожаю бордер-терьеров)))) очень славные собачки)))

[@ellis20022]

i was so nervous about hurting my dog because it still felt wirey but i didnt know when it was too much, b ut she is much happier now lol. shes about 10 so its mostly clippers now because her hair is so soft.

[@abistonservices9249]

This lady is an expert!

[@fuzzydi]

My BT hates the stripping, but I LOVE the look after it's done! I have gotten to the point where I do 75% of the stripping and my breeder/groomer finishes it up. Lucy's outer coat is SO thick...it gets pretty tricky. Thanks for a great video!

[@javierm8648]

Very nice and helpful video. I learnt a lot!

[@maryannschwittek4984]

I have a Border Terrier mix, spayed female. I have no idea what she’s mixed with, as I adopted her at three months, after being abandoned in Puerto Rico. I can’t imagine her being this patient.

[@mitzipepall3075]

This is a great video with a great groomer. I learned a lot.

[@ianhaines2873]

Alfie’s quite enjoying that.

[@theboogyman4]

Super super helpful! Thank you for posting!!!

[@Lucky13Twice]

Can you list the brand and type of each tool you use on him?

[@m.e.r.pedersen9146]

Really great video to show how hand stripping is done. Thanks!

[@atimidbirb]

He looks like he is enjoying his back getting plucked quite a bit 😁

[@KittenCece]

Oh gosh, this is an intimidating process, you look like a magician

[@Safawee1]

disassembled #40 clipper blade for carding these coat types. A commercial carding tool, such as a Shed Ender or FURminator, is also acceptable.

[@paigehudson6713]

This was a great educational video. I am trying to learn to handstrip as I've been a groomer 2 years and haven't learnt yet. It would have been great if you talked through the legs and feet aswell

[@MDM4202000]

Please advise number hours it took to groom Alfie? I know video was about 20 minutes. Editing…. Thank you for this video!

[@kategreig38]

Great job he looks fab!

[@allanpedley2231]

Thank you good clean instructions for family pet needing a healthy animal

[@triqpham]

What a gorgeous boy. Just like my border girl, Sara. Best dog in the world.

[@margaridagoncalves2591]

Great teaching thanks. That dog was a very patiente one. How would you do it with a Belgian shepherd, if may I ask?

[@gbC4mpos]

Wow, beautiful! Thanks so much for this video!

[@helenw495]

Hi, Great work. I have a question regarding a border terrier coat, please. His outer coat looks ready for stripping each time, but he hardly has any undercoat when finished. Would you abandon hand stripping in this kind of scenario? Thank you.

[@juleswinst]

I watched this video at the beginning of lockdown and went on to hand strip my border terrier blue & tan Gizmo. He looked amazing when I'd finished as he seemed fine with it as I did it over a few days so as not to wear out his patience. I have been trying to do the strip again as his coat is really wiry and thick again and have got down as far as his shoulders. Now he is just snapping at me the moment I get near him to pull the hair. it is so hot and I don't want him to be uncomfortable so I've only attempted in the shade and when he is cool at the beginning or end of the day after a bit of exercise. He is now basically half done with a small head and front end!! What to do??

[@boniboni4912]

Try with lots and lots of treats so they don’t snap at you so much, good luck 🤗

[@sansaneesuksathaporn6873]

I wonder why he snap at you. Is he hurt or uncomfortable? Make sure you do handstripping correctly. Wish you two the best✌Keep on.

[@NBay_]

So with hand stripping - you can’t leave a desire length like 1/2 in an 1 inch etc. because when you take off the dead coat it’s going to be the length that it’s is from stripping ?

[@eightbitjones]

At what age should you begin hand stripping?

[@bubblezovlove7213]

What's the chalk for? For your grip? Or the dogs skin comfort? Is it a big deal to not use it? Can I use talc if I bathe him afterward?

[@JH-lo9ut]

I think it is basically talc, to absorb oil and fat in the hair and make it more grippy. You shouldn't put on so much so that it goes down in the undercoat, just a light dusting and you will feel the over hairs getting very easy to grip. (if you have ever worked with drywall you will know what the dust does to your hair)

[@judithpennington-watts5125]

In the pix of the carding knife, it appears curved...is that right? I only see straight/flat knives in the US. thx!!

[@Stephy-653]

this was very helpful thankyou

[@w6263]

Awwww little dog done excellent at getting stripped! XXXXXXXX

[@aramiz21]

What a good 🐕

[@robertdundee2011]

“Not particularly smelly” try having a local fox with irresistible poos left in our garden to roll in!

[@iansmith7369]

WHAT A GOOD LITTLE BOY !!!!!!,

[@larrym.johnson9219]

Thank you for the education.

[@peersresidential]

Any recommendations for someone who can do this in the DC area of the US? Thanks!

[@PirateOfTheNorth]

Can you use am undercoat rake?

[@LifeIsToGoodToBeTrue]

I had a breed I could clip and he wasnt this nice to groom at all. A little pull and he wanted out, he was realy sensetive and smal. The head was SO facinating in this video and the butt to, lol. That was someting I often had problems with my dog and I got a machine and scissors. But I want to try this, it seems so cool and 2-4 times a year? Wow I had to do mine 6 times a year to have the same dog, if I ever waited 3 months I had alot to take care off with a messy coat. I guess thats the differens of high maintenance and low maintenance dogs, lol.

[@Nadjiia92]

Hi I have a question: I brought my neutered mixed breed terrier to the groomer two days ago. Today I brushed him and a looooot of coat came out. Does it mean, that the groomer did not make a great job? Is this normal?

[@ArM4ND01]

Such a handsome boy

[@MegandtheMutts]

Where did you get your jacket? I love it!

[@aubreysharman5303]

Brilliant thanks for the video

[@PC-of2xq]

Excellent job!

[@gabrielescharnhorst6668]

I have a Furminator, it's Funktion verry good!!! Wishout pain!!!!

[@hannahyi2499]

Furminator is basically a knife on a stack. Ruins coat texture.

[@KM-px8cs]

So this is what they did before rakes and knives were used?

[@lazymoriisie]

Handstripping is just using hands right??

[@SherriKnutsen]

Looks great

[@ff.scoots_1628]

I have a border and. He got rashes and it hurt him so we clip him which is much less painful

[@aphyngodiva2551]

It sounds like you weren't pulling dead but live hairs. Dead hairs shouldn't cause a reaction like that.

[@dany-vt9xy9jy6w]

Was ist mit Bauch und Intimbereich? Wird dort auch getrimmt? Oder geschnitten?

[@rachelbest3813]

Great video but BT shouldn't be bathed and you should hold the skin the whole time or it will hurt them

[@johncarr3423]

I have a 12 year old border the top half being stripped he doesn't mind ,but underneath ...he starts to show his teeth

[@andrearowe5244]

Does this really not hurt the dog at all? This one doesn't look too happy?

[@Saraah2205]

If he was unhappy he'd be giving warnings like growling, showing teeth, trying to nip. He's leaning into it a lot of the time which is not a sign of discomfort.

[@carliej4354]

He’s not displaying any signs of stress I suggest you study up dog body language a bit more.

[@duncancraigcouk]

What a handsome chap! I strip our spayed bitch BT. She doesn't like the entire process, but doesn't make too much fuss. I use clippers on the soft white hair underneath.

[@SherriKnutsen]

How long did this take?

[@goldgrl7]

Great job!

[@myfragilelilac]

Yeah they turn into dust bunnies if you dont groom them.

[@mariamontgomery8070]

Hanna W that’s true tho

[@packratswhatif.3990]

My border is now one year old (and neutered) ,I would like to know at what time of the year should I get him stripped ? I tried to do a test-strip but not much came out when I pulled. He looks alot like the dog on the vid so I assume he will need this soon ??

[@mobstercrow7515]

do it during shedding season

[@pennypetersene]

What is the powder you used? I can’t find any.

[@JH-lo9ut]

I believe it is basically talkum powder. It absorbs any fat and oil in the hair and makes it easier to grip. Don't put on to much and don't rub it into the undercoat or it may irritate the dog's skin.

[@helenebowes8186]

wow he is beautiful how long does it take to make a dog like that?

[@webslingerx6196]

It all depends on the dog / coat / breed and the groomer, for that size dog with an experienced groomer I suspect between 1,5 and 2 hours. (that's at least the time my groomer needs for it)

[@yogiyoda]

Good dog! Good groomer!

[@kikib48grid]

Dog says THATS ENOUGH.

[@PuRpLeButt3RfLy1]

Wow amazing ❤️

[@lexell21]

But how about female border terriers? If you spay them will they're coat change?

[@demondevongirl666]

yes spay coat is a real thing with both male and females in many breeds,(it appears a bit differently in some coat types, but generally the coat gets thicker and harder to maintain looking good.) clipping many coats changes them too. I see tons of it in the grooming salon.

[@demondevongirl666]

iv been working on my older rehome spayed WPG who was shaved multiple times. iv been working on her coat for just over 2 years now and her topline and head are fairly harsh and have nice rich color, her legs, sides and belly aren't there yet, still soft and crappy, thin, dull coat.

[@lexell21]

demondevon Okay thanks :)

[@Wolfie248]

My female border has been spayed and I strip her myself no problem :)

[@alfonsogonzalez2099]

I did this to my border terrier and it started bleeding is that a normal thing??

[@amarawhite1265]

“He’s not the finest specimen” such a British thing to say 😆

[@splashbabysplash]

How long does the whole process usually take?

[@Shadowraider121]

It depends on how long it has been between strips.

[@bitter-bit]

Hours

[@larrman5409]

Omg I want Alfie

[@voguegirl2218]

He is very well behaved. Our border terrier sets the nashers on you if you go anywhere near her face, legs, tail, belly etc so she is impossible to do with the scissors. Plus she has a greasy back and constantly needs washing every two to three weeks :(

[@joelmontgomery1129]

beautiful

[@7BearBrown]

"Not the finest specimen"? Shame on you dog groomer - All border Terriers are awesome!

[@ZsaZsaUmbra]

Idc what kinda dog it was, I'd slap the taste out someone's mouth for calling my dog a specimen.

[@jackieann3900]

She meant it was not exactly up to breed standard. Like he's not a show dog. Nothing against the dog. Ya'll will jump at anything to bash a groomer 😂

[@julikatjulikat]

Lol she just meant he's not a show dog type, you can tell she really likes the dog, she aint being mean but us groomers know what show dog standards are like.

[@22triggy]

@@julikatjulikat 'Us groomers"? Most groomers don't know their arse from their elbow, fact.

[@annehoward8789]

@@jackieann3900 Show dog standards depends on the judge, let's be honest. Have shown the same bitch at Crufts and won Best Puppy in class, but never got placed at an Open Show the week earlier. Really good hand strip though!