Westie Help

[tmenne]

I stink at grooming Westie's in fact I suck at all terriers. I always get horrible clipper lines. I card the coat and follow the coat growth and still get clipper marks. I'm going to get a video but who has the best pet terrier video. I do a okay job when my westies are groomed to akc standards but I can't do a good job when they want an all over same length clip. Please help.

[PAWS]

I personally clip in reverse. If it will be longer than 1" I hand scissor. I use thinning shears to finish either way. Carding is great, but thinners will really help you out if you are not already doing it.

[PrincessPoodle]

Sarah Hawkes is supposed to be the queen of terriers, but everyone love Jodi Murphy too. I try to go one comb length longer than the final product when doing a one length all over. This is so I have extra length to thinning shear and scissor to remove and lines. Also, Kenchi has this razor thingy that is awesome for terriers. It almost looks like a razor they use on people hair. It works on the coat kind of like a thinning shear/strip knife combo.

[Debbiedogs]

Skiptooth blades

Use "skip" blades instead of the "F" blades on lots of Terriers - makes quite a difference. Looks more like a Terrier coat and does not tend to leave lines unless you cut partially across the lay of the coat.

[petgroomaustralia]

The dark purple Wahl SS comb, makes them look very nice, just did one the other day. Not too long, not too short juusssst right...lol

[RudyRoo]

I use skip tooth blades on terriers too. Tends to look more natural. Sometimes, I don't even touch the dog with the clipper blade, I treat it more like a paint brush and skim the hair in a scultping motion

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Are you carding out the dead coat first? If not, that is problem #1.

I've used both regular and skipped tooth, and for some reason on Westies, I cannot NOT make lines. So I use a #5 or #7 w/grain. I don't do reverse on this breed, it just doesn't feel right, lol. But if you do, card out the coat AFTER you clip it also.

Tammy in Utah

[Smart-n-Pretty]

I cheat. I furminate the line so it blends in.

[AuntieBeth]

lines

we all get 'em once and a while- I like the 8 1/2-9 blades but then if the lines show up I go reverse with a 5 or 7 and use thinning shears. Seem to be worse in the winter with static...

[Mitch73]

I personally do a fantastic job on Terriers of any kind... Not bragging. Thats just my breed. I always use a 7F on Westies wether it be a clip or allover. I find if they are bathed before the clip there are no blade marks. I use the clipper in kind of a comma shape. Start on the back and curve down into the skirt from neck to tail. Of course when you get to the tail it's more of a straight path than curved. If you are not satisfied with the blending, brush up on the coat and use thinning shears to blend. I hope this helps. I wish I had a visual to show you.

[Jenneversage64]

Mitch 73

When you 7F is it reverse with suction? That is too short for my Westies. I mean clients and mine also. I found today, the 5F reverse after carding dirty and then bath and 5F on clean coat was perfect. the female has fine wavy fur, and the same 5F reverse was perfect and not showing her dark skin underneath. I had previously used various F blades and also Wahl Green or yellow and the tail is perfect reverse Orange color blade. I don't call them by size, I call them by color on the combs. I shape the tail into a nice carrot shape. I also use mouse on the heads and longer comb, from back of head to front and scissor bangs. I also use thinners to blend the skirt. I hate the line from back to ribs down into the skirt.

Side note: Today was the first ever time I could totally trim the nails by using the Groomers' Helper! I was told not to even try doing them. I gave the GH a try and He let me! The female never stopped the bucking bronco moves so I didn't force her. Even at the vet, they give up and have never done her nails in her two years of life. Except for dew claws she wears them down outside. I did get one dew. I'd be happy to just get those next time. They were so pleased and surprised I did Winstons' nails. Whoo hoooo GH!

[epilady]

It's just hard

not to get marks in a clipped Westie coat! I did two yesterday that both had marks in . It agravated me to the point where I just said **** it! It's not the correct way to groom a Westie (ie; clipping) so when the owner wants it short, it is what it is!
I do agree the SS blades do the best job. I hate the look of a #7 blade on a Westie back, it's all undercoat and just blah!

[Mitch73]

When you 7F is it reverse with suction? That is too short for my Westies. I mean clients and mine also. I found today, the 5F reverse after carding dirty and then bath and 5F on clean coat was perfect. the female has fine wavy fur, and the same 5F reverse was perfect and not showing her dark skin underneath. I had previously used various F blades and also Wahl Green or yellow and the tail is perfect reverse Orange color blade. I don't call them by size, I call them by color on the combs. I shape the tail into a nice carrot shape. I also use mouse on the heads and longer comb, from back of head to front and scissor bangs. I also use thinners to blend the skirt. I hate the line from back to ribs down into the skirt.

Side note: Today was the first ever time I could totally trim the nails by using the Groomers' Helper! I was told not to even try doing them. I gave the GH a try and He let me! The female never stopped the bucking bronco moves so I didn't force her. Even at the vet, they give up and have never done her nails in her two years of life. Except for dew claws she wears them down outside. I did get one dew. I'd be happy to just get those next time. They were so pleased and surprised I did Winstons' nails. Whoo hoooo GH!

No, I dont use it reverse. I dont use a clipper vac. Thats just what looks good to me. The very first time I groomed a Westie I did it straight back. Like a Cocker. I didnt know that the skirt was blended. The owner was like. "Something doesn't look right." She didnt know what exactly didnt look right and neither did I. LOL

[bdublyou]

I never do anything shorter than a 5F on westies unless an owner demands it. Unfortunately, most of the Westies I see have been clippered all their lives so you get nothing but soft, fuzzy undercoat wich I find tracks much more easily than one with better coat. Plus, anything shorter starts to reveal all the variagated skin pigmentation underneath (eeew!). I agree following a comma shaped clipping pattern down the sides helps prevent cutting across the lay and then lifting slightly at the end of the stroke allows for better blending at the weight line.

[AMC]

I cheat. I furminate the line so it blends in.

neat trick!
I am going to have to try this out
thanks for sharing
happy grooming
amc