Not sure were this Q's should go so put it here.

What age do rough coated breeds need to have their coats first trimmed/stripped? Not sure of the right terminology hope you know what I mean LOL

Well I have Airedales, and you can start to do this as early as the coat comes out, I think about 4months old in my laest puppy's case.  In my breed it's usually the saddle area that's ready first.  I just try every week or so and when it starts to come out easily with gently tugsoff I go.  Faces, necks and rear ends can take longer to be ready to strip.

depends very much on both the breed and the coat. Our deerhound didnt have theirs stripped until they were 3 years.....our lakeland had hers stripped and 8 weeks! My mums border i did him at 12 months.....our hunt terriers got done around 12-18 months. what breed is it?

I usually recommend terriers are brought into me at 6months to see if the coat is ready to strip, some are, some arent, also depends on the breed/lines etc.
But usually I strip Borders at 6months, as there all pets, not shown, but my own I start at 4-5months.
My friend shows cockers and she doesnt strip them til 9 months , only tidy's them up before hand.

Previously in airedales and I would say 4 months.  This is so if the coat isnt perfect first time you have chance for the hair to grow back and be stripped again before starting them at 6 months into their show career if you are starting them early.  Plus at 4 months they look like big fuzzy teddy bears.

Emma

there is some great information on handstripping Airedales on the Pearson stripping knives website--their knives are a little expensive but superb quality, and fox terriers are their breed so they have a lot to share about how to gradually work through the coat (staging)...go to http://www.strippingknives.com/grooming/staging.htm

Many thanks for all the replies and advice I wont be doing it myself dont feel confident enough so need to find a good groomer she's only 11 weeks at the moment non pedigree but if she takes after her parents she WILL need to be stripped LOL I think she will look much smarter too and feel better in herself when it's time to be done not a problem now it's just coming through.

Fully understand the confidence issue. I felt the same way at one point but eventually went down the route of trying to do this myself, although I went a bit pale at the cost of good left handed shears and thinning scissors. Not to press the point if you don't feel like doing it yourself, but handstripping a coat can be quite pricy and there are excellent grooming salons that will run a one or half day course just for you to show you what to do--or you could ask the breeder to show you. Good luck whatever you choose!

I love my Airedales looking like big woolly bears!  I was sad to strip our pup for the first time, but it had to go as we show her.  We keep our old boy looking as fluffy as possible.  Always get children telling me he looks like a big stuffed teddy bear!