Grooming Natural Back Coats

By Jodi Murphy, Master Pet Stylist

To clip or not to clip….that is the question. As groomers we tend to think that when a dog enters our salon for a haircut we immediately pull out our clipper. However, there are many breeds and mixed breeds that have a flat natural back coat which need nothing more than a little carding and thinning shear eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reservedwork to polish the appearance. 35

Breeds like the various Setters, Spaniels, Longhaired Dachshund, Papillion, and Japanese Chin have this type of coat. When clipping these breeds coats can change texture and become very thick and wooly. If this is the case, clipping may be the only option. If clipping has (Continued on page 37)

previously been done, removing undercoat in conjunction with clipping will help the blades glide through the coat with ease.

Surprisingly there are dogs that have been clipped in the past and yet their coat will still remain flat and natural. In this case clipping the coat is not necessary.

To shorten the length of the back coat on these breeds, backcombing and tipping the ends of the coat with thinning shears gives a natural appearance. When using these techniques it not only saves time by unnecessary clipping, it also saves time from blending the clipped lines into the longer furnishings. Carding and thinning shear techniques will give a beautiful seamless appearance.

When puppies come into the salon for the first time their coat type should be evaluated. If the back coat appears flat and natural….don't clip it! They are your clean slate to begin these techniques on.

Carding techniques are very important for dogs that have a double coat, like many Sporting breeds.

Undercoat is defined as the short, soft, dense hair that supports the outer coat or guard hair. niques is beneficial to the skin and the appearance of the coat.

Carding promotes healthy skin and coat by clearing the follicles of excessive undercoat. Undercoat is soft and dull in color and can prevent the skin from breathing when it becomes excessive.

The term “carding” refers to a technique of removing undercoat from the follicles with the use of a carding knife. Keeping 38 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reservedundercoat at bay by using carding tech- Subscribe www.egroomer.com

Once the excess undercoat is removed, the coat will shine and the skin will be (Continued on page 39)

able to breathe and will be healthier.

When using a carding knife it is important to hold the skin taut with one hand while combing through the coat with the other. If the skin is not held taut it will move with every stroke, which can be uncomfortable for the pet. When the skin moves the tool will not be productive.

Hold a carding knife almost flat to the skin. It has teeth with grooves. Carefully place grooves against the skin. They feed undercoat into the teeth.

As result coat is pulled from follicles without breaking of the coat. Carding knives are right or left-handed. Be sure eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reservedto purchase the correct knife. 39

When dogs are not carded blades will often leave track marks in the coat. It is common to want to shave them with (Continued on page 40)

very short blades to ensure a smoother finish. However, the undercoat is the culprit causing the blade to leave track marks, almost like the look of corduroy. Carding techniques will eliminate the corduroy issue so a longer blade can then be used which will result in a more natural appearance.

Carding techniques take very little time especially when you consider the benefits for both groomer and the pets.

Maintaining a flat natural back coat with the use of carding and thinning shear techniques not only saves time, but gives a beautiful, shiny and natural Terriers should be carded to remove undercoat. When clipping the Miniature Schnauzer, Wire Fox Terrier, Scottie, Westie etc. use a carding knife to remove the undercoat before or after clipping.

Just like the natural back coats, these breeds are double-coated. Removing the undercoat allows blades to run smoothly through the coat resulting in a more natural appearance. Once the undercoat is removed on a regular basis,

(Continued on page 41)

longer blades (4F, 5F or 7F) may be used which will allow the clipped coat to blend into the longer furnishings more naturally. Carding knives are available in fine and coarse. Both knives are necessary as all coat types are different.

JodiMurphy.net to check on availability of these knives.

To learn more about carding techniques, there is a Jodi Murphy instructional video, Carding and Hand Stripping for Pets. See JodiMurphy.net for more info. ▀

A unique combo knife of fine/coarse deeGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reservedsigned by Jodi is also available. Visit 41