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Hours of Operation: Generally Tuesday–Saturday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM with additional appointments available every other SundayTo save time at appoinment check-in, download and complete our New Client Registration prior to arrival HERE

Deshedding, Carding & Hand-Stripping

Contrary to popular belief, there is no magic shampoo, conditioner, or deshedding FURminator® tool to accomplish this task. There is, however, a proper deshedding technique; we are adept at removing loose coat with a three-step process that begins before the bath, during the bath, and afterwards during the drying process. This service also includes cleaning ears, trimming nails, and gland expression, if desired. Deshedding benefits short-coated and smooth-coated breeds, such as:
  • Bassett Hounds
  • Beagles
  • Boston Terriers
  • Boxers
  • Bulldogs
  • Bull Terriers
  • Dalmatians
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • Foxhounds
  • French Bulldogs
  • Great Danes
  • Greyhounds
  • Labrador Retrievers
  • Pointers
  • Mastiffs
  • Pugs
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks
  • Rottweilers
  • Smooth-Coated Chihuahuas
  • Dachshunds
  • Weimaraners

Undercoat Deshedding

Our deshedding services also benefit combination-coated, double-coated, and heavy-coated breeds. For dense-coated dogs, removing their undercoat prevents the formation of hot spots and skin infections, a common issue in our humid climate. Typically, double-coated breeds will also be trimmed after deshedding on their paws, furnishings, tail, and, sometimes, ears as part of our grooming service. These breeds include:
  • Akitas
  • Alaskan Malamutes
  • American Eskimos
  • Border Collies
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Corgis
  • Chow Chows
  • Collies
  • German Shepherds
  • Golden Retrievers
  • Keeshonds
  • Newfoundlands
  • Papillons
  • Pomeranians
  • Shetland Sheepdogs
  • Siberian Huskies
  • Samoyeds

Hand-Stripping

Hand-stripping benefits wire-coated breeds by removing soft undercoat through coat-carding techniques and hand-stripping the coarse outer top coat or guard hair. Regular carding and hand-stripping will maintain the proper texture and color of broken-coated, flat-coated, and harsh-coated breeds, whereas clipping these types of coats will soften and dull both the coat’s texture and color. A variety of breeds greatly benefit from this service, including:
  • Affenpinschers
  • Airedale Terriers
  • Australian Terriers
  • Border Terriers
  • Brussels Griffons
  • Cairn Terriers
  • German Wirehaired Pointers
  • Wire Fox Terriers
  • Irish Terriers
  • Lakeland Terriers
  • Miniature/Standard/Giant Schnauzers
  • Norfolk Terriers
  • Norwich Terriers
  • Scottish Terriers
  • Spinone Italianos
  • Welsh Terriers
  • West Highland White Terriers
  • Wirehaired Dachshunds
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffons

Carding & Hand-Stripping Pricing

Carding and hand-stripping is a time-intensive process and is, therefore, charged at an hourly rate of $80 an hour rather than by breed of dog. It is best performed on a schedule that can vary based on breed and coat type, somewhere between four and twelve weeks. Factors that can influence the success of hand-stripping are environmental (past coat clipping), hormonal (spayed or neutered), schedule (frequency of rolling the top coat), and seasonal (length of daylight).