When groomed, a Brussels Griffon gets an “underline,” not a skirt as in some other breeds. Indeed, instructions to professional groomers is to “neaten the undercarriage line” lightly. A rough coated griff’s body coat should be short, hard, and very close fitting to the body, and the only way to get this proper coat texture is by “carding,” not shaving. The pattern is based on the dog’s bone structure and musculature whether the dog is a pet or show dog. 

Those unfamiliar with the term may be wondering what “carding” is. Simply put, it’s when a dog’s soft undercoat is “yanked” from the dog’s body so quickly as to be a jerking motion. Most groomers used a pumice stone, stipping knife, or the old fashioned way – one’s fingers. Removing downy undercoat enables the topcoat to lie closer to the “organic” outline of the dog. It can fix the “oops” of clip tracks left in the coat from a previous grooming done with clippers.

Hand stripping, on the other hand, is when the outer guard coat is plucked from the dog’s skin. This method helps keep the dog’s proper texture and even color (people have noticed that using an electric clipper alters the dog’s coat color).  Most experts feel that hand stipping should be in line with a dog’s natural cycle. Either method does not harm the dog when done properly, and indeed, most dogs fall asleep or “hang out,” during grooming.

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