How to Keep Your Westie's Coat Looking Great

West Highland Terriers are charming little dogs, especially when their coats have been professionally hand stripped to maintain the breed's characteristic texture. However, not all Westies have the ideal coat texture suitable for hand stripping, often due to breeding factors that affect their coat quality.

The Correct Texture of a Westie's Coat

Well-bred West Highland Terriers possess a distinctive double coat: the outer coat is harsh, straight, and coarse, approximately 2 inches long, while the undercoat is soft, dense, and tight, resembling fur. This unique combination provides protection and the iconic Westie look.

Coats that are too silky or wavy without a proper undercoat are unsuitable for hand stripping. Attempting to hand strip such coats may cause discomfort or injury to your dog. It is important to recognise your Westie's coat type to provide the correct grooming.

Puppy Stripping: Laying the Foundation

The first hand stripping of a Westie puppy is best performed at around 16 weeks old. Professional groomers often remove as much coat as possible during this initial session, allowing for the new coat to grow back thicker, coarser, and healthier. This intense first strip is typically the only time the coat is stripped so thoroughly.

Following this initial stripping, it is advisable to leave the coat alone for about 8 weeks to let the new hairs establish themselves. Early grooming sessions may not leave your puppy looking their best immediately, but these are critical for setting up the classic multi-length coat that defines the breed's appearance.

Maintaining the Coat Between Grooming Sessions

To keep your Westie's coat tidy between grooming visits, hand stripping small areas and using thinning shears on skirts and legs can be effective. A daily brush with a bristle brush is also important to prevent tangles and mats, especially around prone areas like the elbows and skirts.

Blending the Coat for a Polished Look

Learning to blend the body coat with the longer skirt is essential for maintaining your Westie's classic silhouette. Observing a professional groomer or following dedicated Westie grooming videos can help you master these techniques. This knowledge will give your dog a well-kept appearance until their next hand stripping session.

Keeping Legs Neat and Shaped

Professional groomers tend to leave a slightly longer, coarse hair on the legs, often thinning about 20% of the hair to shape them nicely. Thinning shears are a great tool for shaping and tidying legs and paws between sessions.

At home, you can either hand strip or use thinning shears to maintain the legs and keep paws rounded and neat, which contributes to the overall tidy look of your Westie.

Maintaining a Smart Skirt

The skirt should be thick and coarse, composed of hairs at varying lengths to create a natural bushier effect that tapers subtly from front to back. Groomers use thinning shears or stripping knives to refine this area, snapping off ends delicately for a polished finish.

Avoid using straight scissors on skirts, as this can create harsh lines that spoil the natural look. Regular tidying with thinning shears helps maintain skirt brilliance.

Care for the Chest Area

The chest is a sensitive area where hand stripping may cause discomfort. Using thinning shears is kinder and produces just as pleasing results, ensuring your Westie’s chest remains neat without causing pain.

Keeping the Head Trimmed and Tidy

The head is one of the most challenging areas to groom. After hand stripping, the Westie’s head should resemble the shape of a chrysanthemum flower—full and rounded. Use thinning shears at home to trim fast-growing hairs until the next professional grooming.

Ears can be trimmed safely with scissors that have rounded tips to maintain cleanliness and prevent accidents between salon visits.

Tail Grooming Tips

A Westie’s tail should be covered in coarse hair without any feathering, appearing thick at the base and tapering like a carrot to the tip. Groomers hand strip tails and tidy loose hairs with thinning shears.

Maintaining neatness around the back end, including the tail base, reduces the risk of soiling and keeps your Westie looking fresh.

General Grooming Tips for a Healthy Coat

• Regular Brushing: Daily or several times weekly brushing removes loose hair, distributes natural oils, and prevents mats, especially in tricky areas.
• Hand Stripping: Preferable for maintaining the coat’s harsh texture; clipping without removing dead hair can soften the coat over time.
• Bathing: Bathe sparingly (3-4 times a year) using mild shampoos to preserve natural oils. Spot cleaning with waterless shampoos is ideal between baths.
• Skin Health: Westies can be prone to allergies and skin irritations, so regularly check for signs of discomfort and consult your vet if needed.
• Professional Grooming: Visiting a knowledgeable groomer every 4-6 weeks helps maintain the breed’s look and coat health.

Choosing a West Highland Terrier puppy from reputable breeders helps ensure good coat texture, health, and temperament, which makes grooming easier and more enjoyable for both owner and dog.

Keeping your Westie's coat in top condition requires patience, proper techniques, and regular maintenance, but the rewarding look and feel of a well-groomed Westie make it worthwhile.