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Originally Posted by LDMomma  Weird. Everything I have read attributes the skin issues to severe skin allergies which could be genetic. I've never read that it's because of not hand-striping. I can't even find a groomer that will hand-strip.
I love, love, love that my Westie doesn't shed. It's like her best trait after her big, goofy Westie grin. |
Do some research under Cairn Terriers and skin issues. Cairns and Westies are essentially the same breed. "White Cairns" were outside of the breed standard so they 2 were split out into separate breeds in the (I think) early 1900's.
In doing some research, I agree that I don't see this listed as an issue for Westies as much. The Westie club's advice I see generally reccommends hand stripping only for showing. But it is almost universal that the reccommendation to prevent skin issues in Cairns they must be hand stripped. Since they are essentially the same dog with the same type of coat and skin issues, I urge you to find a groomer who does actually hand strip. (Many confuse the term stripping for shaving down.) They are hard to find. It is time and labor intensive and expensive, but it is worth it.
That reminds me, Max is due. He is starting to look like a Yak!