Fearghus and Fiona were hand stripped today

[Tami]

Today I took Fearghus and Fiona to the groomer's to be hand stripped. Fiona's had a bit of stripping done by her breeder before I got her and she even had a few strays taken off when I showed her to our groomer a couple months ago. But she finally had a full stripping done today. I should have taken before pictures because she was looking mighty big and shaggy. It turns out that it was all hair and she's still a sleek little thing. She was 10 lbs in November so she may be closer to 11 lbs now. Fearghus used to be 14 1/2 lbs but is closer to 14 lbs since we brought in the energizer bunny of cairn pups home.

The pretty bows lasted only a few hours after we got home but they were cute while they lasted. Fiona definitely has a very wirey coat as compared to Fearghus' which is only slightly wirey on the top of his jacket and much softer along the sides.

[Idaho Cairns]

One of the up sides of stripping a Cairn is all those multiple colors that emerge when the coat is winnowed down. Both dogs have so many different hues to them--it's neat to see.

[josie&holly]

They both look very smart!

[_whits_]

They both look lovely! And Fiona has grown up so much!

[hheldorfer]

They're looking very sharp for the holidays!

[Sam I Am]

They llook gorgeous ! Jock hasn't been properly stripped for years...the Mars comb just doesn't have the same effect.

[Dempsy's Mom]

They look happy and I love their little red bows. Beautiful pups.

[tlwtheq]

Aren't they gorgeous? I've gotta try to spiff up my gang a bit. Won't reach that level though. Wonderful!

[Hillscreek]

Great stripping job. They look so smart.

[jo_]

What a couple of cuties!!! What did they think of the stripping experience?

[Tami]

Fearghus has been going to this groomer since he was a pup and doesn't seem to have a problem with it. The groomer used to be a breeder and was a show ring participant so she's pretty firm with the dogs who come in for service. She's the one who advised me about being more firm with Fearghus when he was younger and her advice helped a lot. I told her that Fiona's a pistol and would probably need some extra enforcement. When I picked them up I was told that Fiona tried to show her teeth but then backed down when the groomer used her extra firm voice. It does take a few hours so Fearghus is always ready for a long nap afterwards. Fortunately it's at least a 45 minute drive home so he sacks out in the crate. Fiona did too but then her energy suddenly came back once we got home. I tell you she's the energizer bunny in Cairn form.

I love the colors in their coats. Both are brindles so it really shows up after a fresh stripping. Fiona seems to be getting more reds in her coat now. Wonder what she'll look like in another year?

[Critterlover]

they are very nice looking! and adorable. love the cairns!

[sanford]

Excellent! ... They really compliment each other. Another good reason to have more than one!

[Lynn in TN]

They both are so beautiful! I like to see all of the colors too! It seems like when they have been stripped they have so many more colors.

[Zekey's Mom]

They really look nice. Glad you got a couple of pics of them in the cute bows while they lasted!

[Hawkeye]

They look gorgeous and I love the brindle coloring in both.