Before commencement of trimming, it is important that the dog should have been regularly groomed to remove all the loose dead undercoat, combing to the skin. Brushing alone will not do this.

The tools required are:

Terrier Pad - This is an oval shaped rubber pad with blunt edged pins through it. It is used in two ways. When pulled through a rough coat it will help to remove tangles and debris from the coat. For legs and whiskers, gently work the pad into the hair and then lift straight out; this will remove tangles without dragging out the undercoat which is needed on a show dog.

Comb - Teeth which are neither too close nor too wide.

Two Blunt Stripping Knives - One with a fine serrated edge and the other a little more coarse. These are to help grip the coat and not to cut it. Most knives are too sharp when new, but will become better with use.

Assuming that the dog is completely in the rough, remove all of the coat on head and body, leaving the legs, whiskers and eyebrows; trim as described later. This initial stripping can be done with finger and thumb: this is quite easy on a good coated dog which has been well groomed. A blunt stripping knife may be used, but do not cut the coat.

Over the next few weeks, regular grooming is essential to remove the rest of the dead hair and promote growth of a healthy new coat. After about four weeks it will be possible to start trimming for show.

To prepare a dog for show from the rough will take approximately eight weeks, but this can vary with the individual dog; weather conditions can also have an effect on the growth rate of the coat. The finished result cannot be achieved overnight. To keep a dog in show condition means regular trimming, so that there is always new coat underneath when the old is removed.

Nails should be given regular attention with nail clippers and/or file. If using clippers be careful not to cut too much; cutting into the quick is very painful and the dog will be difficult to do again. Finish off by smoothing the edges with a file.

Show Trimming

Beware of using a sharp knife as this will cut the hair and spoil it - cut hair looses its colour. A little chalk rubbed into the coat will help to give a better grip on the hair.

Forehead and cheeks from the outside corner of the eye should be trimmed very close; the ears should be trimmed very close on the top and the underside. The edges of the ears can be tidied with scissors, always cutting from the base of the ear to the tip. The hair from the inside of the ear should be removed with finger and thumb - never cut.

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Underjaw from corners of lips, back to and down the throat should be trimmed close. Comb the eyebrows and whiskers forwards; using finger and thumb trim between the eyes to give a straight line from nose to forehead, trim the eyebrows leaving them short to the outer edge and longer to the inside.

Tidy hair from under the eyes to blend into the whiskers, being careful not to over trim - 1.

Tidy the dead hair from the front of the leg to show the bend of the stifle - 6.