Glossary

Wire coat

A harsh, bristly outer coat with a dense undercoat, found on many terriers and some gundogs, traditionally kept tidy by hand stripping.

Also called: wirehaired, wire-haired, wiry coat, broken coat, hand stripping, harsh coat

A wire coat is a harsh, crisp coat of hairs that feel bristly to the touch. It is often found over a softer undercoat and gives some protection from brush, water and bites from prey. Breeds that carry it include the Wire Fox Terrier, the Airedale Terrier, the Border Terrier, the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

Wire coats shed little because dead hair tends to stay in the coat. Show dogs are kept tidy by hand stripping, which removes the dead hairs by hand to keep the texture harsh. Clippers soften the coat and change its colour, which is why many pet owners accept that.

A groomer can advise on the choice. Wire is one of several common coat types, along with smooth coat, silky coat and curly coat. The word wirehaired is also part of the name of some breeds.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Smooth coat A short, close-lying coat that needs little grooming, found on breeds such as the Boxer, Beagle, Greyhound and Doberman Pinscher. Curly coat A coat of tight curls or waves, as on the Poodle, Bichon Frise and Curly-Coated Retriever, which sheds little but mats without regular grooming. Silky coat A fine, glossy, flowing coat that tangles easily and needs regular brushing, found on breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Afghan Hound. Dog groomer A professional who bathes, brushes, clips and trims dogs, in a salon, a mobile van or a clinic.