How To Groom A Welsh Terrier

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How to Groom a Welsh Terrier

Originally bred as a hunting dog, the Welsh Terrier has independence, intelligence, and a great need for non-stop fun. Originally bred to battle badgers, otters and other dangerous animals, a Welsh Terrier's temperament is actually loving and playful, although they are known for having a high prey drive.

One of the most recognisable traits of the Welsh Terrier is its beautiful, wiry coat, which requires detailed care to keep it looking at its best. Here are our top grooming tips on how to care for yours!

Do Welsh Terriers shed hair?

Once you have brushed your terrier's hair with a pin brush, comb through with a metal comb. Apply a chalk powder so that the hair is easier to grip. Hold the hair so the skin is taut, then it's time to take your stripping knife:

1. Firstly, strip your Welsh Terrier's head, neck and shoulders – being extra careful around the eyes and mouth. Push, pinch and pull with your stripping knife to remove the hair from the root.

2. Keep your Terrier's eyebrows untouched from scissors or strippers.

3. Use a coarse stripping knife to strip the hair along the body down to the base of your dog's tail.

4. Carefully strip your dog's tail, leaving it long on its black side.

5. Finally, strip your dog's legs to make sure they blend into their new, tidier look. Thinning scissors are also useful for reducing the overgrown hair on the paws, smartening its overall appearance.

How to groom a Welsh Terrier

Regular brushing of your Welsh Terrier will make grooming them much easier, stopping their fur from matting and helping to remove the dead hair within their coat.

Just because your Welsh Terrier doesn't shed much hair doesn't mean you can leave its coat ungroomed. Doing this will keep the dead hair within the coat, which could lead to painful matting and tangling. Stripping parts of the coat once a week removes the dead hair, encouraging healthy hair growth.

How to strip a Welsh Terrier

How often should you hand-strip a Welsh Terrier?

A Welsh Terrier should be hand-stripped once every three months to keep the coat looking its best. Regular brushing with a slicker brush will help remove any tangles to prevent matting.

How often should you hand-strip a Welsh Terrier?

Starting at the front of the head, push the eyebrows to each side and part the hair on the face with a metal comb. Once the eyebrows are out of the way, using the comb, fluff up the centre part of the overgrown hair that runs between the eyes and down the nose. Take this section down with blenders flat to the head, leaving some padding. Be careful not to catch the eyebrows whilst cutting.
Using the same technique, lift the eyebrow out of the way, then thin down the cheek area on each side, taking care around the eyes.
Take the beard forward, then with the hair left from the corner of the mouth to the nose, thin down and blend to the shape of the face to create the Welsh Terrier’s signature sharp jawline. Repeat on the other side.
Take straight scissors and cut the eyebrows straight using the brick-shape head as a guide. If the eyebrows are heavy, trim away some of the hair on the top.
Blend away the scissor lines to tidy up the shape.

When trimming a Welsh Terrier, give some attention to its recognisable moustache that, although lovely, can gather dirt from its food. Trim where possible, but remember to retain the Welsh Terrier’s iconic beard shape.

Trimming a Welsh Terrier’s head correctly can be difficult, so if in doubt, contact a professional groomer to take care of it for you or to help you improve your technique.

When should a Welsh Terrier have its first hair cut?

When your Welsh Terrier puppy is approximately five months old, you should consider establishing a good grooming routine for it, including regular stripping of its coat. Clipping can destroy the coat’s texture and colour, but may be a better option for older dogs that can’t withstand hours of rigorous grooming.

How often should you wash a Welsh Terrier?

A great aspect of the Welsh Terrier's coat is that it is double waterproof, meaning it repels moisture and dirt, making there little need to bathe them regularly. If your Welsh Terrier becomes dirty, itchy, odorous or uncomfortable, it's time to give them a bath with coat-specific, dog-friendly shampoo. Or, if you prefer, take them to a professional groomer to bathe them and strip their coat.

Are Welsh Terriers hypo allergenic?

Yes, Welsh Terriers are hypoallergenic dogs. As they sparsely shed hair, they rarely trigger an allergic reaction in people around them.

When a person is allergic to a dog, their immune system is sensitive to a pet's urine, saliva or dead skin cells. As a more hypoallergenic dog, the Welsh Terrier produces fewer dead skin cells through their lack of shedding – making them a better option for allergy-prone owners.