Ive come to realise that much of the reasoning of stripping your wire is not based on fact - but on hearsay. (someone read it in a book somewhere, and then on the internet somewhere, and then heard it from a breeder, and, and, and...)
Please bear with me before you attack me if you might disagree.
Ive written some nasty accusations about this subject on my dogs' blog, but it has honestly not been my intention.
The message I want to get across to everyone is the following:
1. all the REASONS WHY you have to strip a wire comes from logic explained to everyone over time.
2. The origination of the wire breeds of today only goes back a mere 100 years. Before this, these dogs were never exposed to stripping. Competing with dogs and breeds has only really become an issue since about 100 years.
3. I believe this practice is cruel. I also know that very few people know how to do the stripping method to wires where they do not experience pain. But most of you know how your wire absolutely hates being groomed. There is a reason for it - the dog is suffering.
I want all to just please consider that if your animal is fighting such a grooming process, to maybe not do it.
Also, I think the grooming looks of the wires have become almost ugly.
I have only clipped my wire, and I get more compliments from the public than I have ever received from any animal I have ever owned. I prefer the scruffy teddy bear look. His hair is still hard and wirey.
His skin is healthy and most important part about it is that he is happy.
Please do not fight with me if you disagree (like I have fought with some anon writers on my blog).
Im hoping that my post will help 1 dog from suffering, because it is not a must to strip the wire. It is an option, and comes from guidance from groomers / breeders of the past. Remember, there are MANY groomers, vets and breeders that oppose this grooming method. The only difference is that none have ever made an issue about it, like I am hoping to do. If at least a topic for discussion and healthy debate.
The breeding methods of many dogs have been cruel (like the German shepherds get very weak back legs because breeders want them to look like wolves). Breeders of the past never cared about the consequences.
Please consider that this grooming method is not a MUST, but a way some people prefer to groom their dogs.
You can read about my article here : http://norman-doggie.blogspot.com/2007/06/stripping-wft-is-cruel.html