Cairn Terrier Puppies from Cairns R Us at Lakeside Kennel
Grooming the Cairn Terrier (continued)
Trimming the coat:
We feel that a cairn should be trimmed, particularly around the eyes and areas where matting may occur. We usually trim the face and top of the head about every three months. Also in the summer months with our dogs being in a warmer climate, we give our heavier coated dogs a summer cut. We just thin the coat down a bit with a trim. We leave the heavier coat on the head and face, and cut the coat on the torso. Stripping the coat also does this as it thins the coat down.
Stripping the coat:
Many Cairn fanciers recommend stripping the coat; it makes a neater more groomed looking coat, as well as eliminates the fuzzies as I refer to it. The fuzzies is the cotton candy like coat underneath that causes matting and the shaggy stringy appearance. Some folks prefer the shaggy look, and prefer not to strip which is fine too, it’s just a matter of preference. To keep the fuzzies out and the stripped look, this needs to be done about every 6 months. Some people feel that it hurts the dog to do this, in our experience they seem to love it, and actually fall asleep in our lap while being stripped. This needs to be done with a good fine stripping comb. We recommend “mars” stripping comb. We have found that even if you do not strip on a regular basis, just the initial stripping will reduce the fuzzies and allow the coarser coat to come through. The first stripping should be done at about 6 months of age. The ones that we have done a stripping on at about 6 months of age, and even though we did not follow up with additional stripping have a much nicer, coarse, heavy coat.
