TAIL TRIMMING

[~JO~]

Hi,

as a relative newcomer to the Whippet showing world, I was looking for some advice with regards to trimming tails which are slightly feathered. It really only shows where the slight curve is on the tail.

How is this job best done?? With thinning scissors?

Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

 

[rubywhip]

Hi there Joe

I tend to use my son's electric hair clippers, So I only trim once a year!

Hope this helps. If I used thinning scissors the dogs would look like there tail hair had been cut with a knife and fork !!!!

Rubywhip

 

[Lydia]

Hi Joe, I do know people who trim their dogs tails with scissors, don't think they use thinning scissors though. You could ask someone to show you, and then practice. I did attempt this,when we had our first whippet, poor thing couldn't cope with the humiliation of the worst trimmed tail at the shows.

I reverted to using electric clippers like Rubywhip, if you know anyone with a horse, borrow theirs. Do it a week before the show, so any un-eveness has a chance to grow out. You do not need a really expensive pair of electric clippers,Argos sell some pet clippers, cost under £30, I have found these quite adequate, for whippy tails.

Lyd

 

[dawn]

Hi Joe

We use thinning scissors on the underside of the tail then trim off the straglers with ordinary hairdressing scissors. I find it is hard to make a mess with thinning scissors , but you can make one hell of a mess with electric clippers(I learned that the hard way just before Crufts!)

The best thing to do is ask someone to show you. Are you in contact with the breeder? as I am sure they would be more than happy to show you.

If not approach someone at a show and ask them.

What area are you from ?

If you are at any of the shows we are at i would be more than willing to demonstrate how to trim the tail.

 

[dessie]

One edge thinning scissors are even better because they give a much more even finish than double edge thinners. I don't like to see how some of the Whippets have obviously had clippers run not only over their tails but their backsides as well, they are starting to look like Poodles!!!

 

[rubywhip]

Hi there

If you use the clippers with the correct size guard on ( I like to use a number 3) this does not give IMO the 'poodle' look, but a nice tidy tail !

Rubywhip

 

[dessie]

You didn't read what I said Rubywhip, I said there is a trend in certain kennels to clipper the backsides (or bums if you prefer) of the dogs, right down to the skin, AS WELL AS the tail, our breed shouldn't need this kind of trimming.

 

[~JO~]

Thanks for all the info.

I decided in the end to just lightly trim the underneath of the tail with single edged thinning scissors - which seems to look okay. I was too worried to clipper it as he was in an open show yesterday and I didn't want to make a complete balls up!

Anyway he got a first in hound puupy - so it did the trick! I might clipper just the tail with a long guard on now, so it has two weeks to grow back before WELKS in case things go wrong!!

Thanks everybody for the useful tips

 

[Millie]

Well done Joe with getting first, I bet you were really proud.

 

[Jan Doherty]

I had never heard or seen a whippets bum shaved before reading this link and then lo and behold I judged whippets on sunday and two were presented with shaved bums ???

It didnt look right at all and god forbid it catches on. I trim my boys tails but that is it.