Dog

Well I've been down to Dartford where I was judging the English Groomers Group Challenge. I judged alongside Chrisie Warwick and Alison Rogers. The group I judged was Beginners and Students. I was very impressed by the level of work applied. Some people in my group had only been grooming a matter of months. There was a good turnout all round and a good variety. It was my first time as a judge and I was very nervous but I was comforted by the fact that my entrants would definitely be more nervous than me. I did my best to comfort them and put their nerves at ease both before and after they groomed and it did seem that all enjoyed their day. I pulled out a bedlington terrier for my group winner. I felt the girl had done an exceptionally good job for her level in the industry. It certainly made her day. Chrisie picked a bitch on from her Experienced category. We all felt that the girl that had trimmed this would be one to look out for in the future. Then finally Alison picked out a clipped Westie from her Advanced group. This dog went on to win Best in Show. Well done Sharon.

If you fancy a go at the competition world there is no better place to start than 'The Challenge'. Many grooming competitions though offer a category or class for beginners of various levels. It's not as scary as you think and the judges will not be harsh on you. Some competitions allow advise to be given during the competition so check out the rules and this can be a good class if you feel unsure or too nervous to go it alone yet.

How to prepare your dog for a competition.

Read the rules carefully because they can vary slightly but most shows are generally the same.

You are expected to have between 6-8weeks coat growth (but it can look impressive if you think you can successfully take down a longer coat in the time period.)

All dogs should be clean! Well bathed and brushed with no knots (so make sure you comb out the arm pits and in between the toes well)

Your dog should be well prepared. This means ears plucked and cleaned. pads clipped or scissored clean. Groin clipped (anus may also be cleared for hygiene) and nails cut as short as possible for the dog you have.

Some competitions will allow you to clip the face, feet and tail on poodles but most don't allow this so check the class rules.

An average class time would be 2 hours with 2 1/2 hours often being given to hand stripped dogs or dogs over a certain size, but again this can vary.

Competition Procedures

You will be provided with the times your classes start and allocated a number which will indicate where you are positioned. Some competitions provide tables to work on and some don't. Either way if you are used to working with a grooming arm and neck or belly restraint you will need to provide these and if you prefer to use your own table anyway then this is always allowed.

Locate your table area and set up you equipment well ahead of the class starting. You need to allow yourself time to re brush and comb your dog and you may wish to use a hair dryer to blow some air through a wool type coat to help it look it's best. Each table space has an allocated power socket so if you will be requiring it during competition, plug something in and test it. If the power is not operating correctly inform a steward immediately.

Pre-judging usually commences a half hour before competition starts dependant on the number of entrants. Any helpers you have must leave the ring before this takes place. Pre-judging is can consist of checking that the appropriate preparation work has been done, checking that the coat is clean and knot free (do not be to alarmed if the judge finds a knot, just make sure it is removed before the end of the competition.) and also checking that there is enough coat growth to show sufficient work on. You will also be asked if there is anything you wish the judge to know about. For example. temperament issues (the dog doesn't like the fett being handled etc.) , coat or skin issues (chewed coat or rashes, discolouration), or vet related problems (coat missing or shaved sore areas).

The class will start and you will be informed how long you have to groom. You are then left alone to groom your dog, there is usually a clock around to track time but they will call out a half an hour before the end. and usually there's a five minute call too. During the competition judges will wonder around viewing you and others. they will not disturb you and you should not talk to them. Do not hide what you are doing, allow them to watch the area you are working on and see your methods. They will not stay for long and will often view from further away. If you need anything during the competition you must hail a steward, these will have been pointed out at the start. They can find out info or hold your dog whilst you run to the toilet if you need to. With special permission they can sometimes hold a difficult dog too, dependant of your grooming ability level.

At the end of your class time will be called and you must put all your equipment away. It is normal to place a smart coloured cloth over your table so as to display the dog to their best. If you wish you may decorate your table slightly (flowers confetti etc.) This is not common but looks wonderful when done. But be sure not to detract from the work you have done to your dog. As the judge approaches your table you should stand your dog so the judge may view your style and shape. They will approach and may ask questions like 'what blade did you use to clip this dog'. They will comb through your dog and they will want to note how much hair is on the floor so don't clear this away. They are checking for balance, correct shape and style for the breed or class, finish and evenness. You can allow your dog to relax until the judge has looked around all the entrants. After this re-stand your dog and the judge will take a last glance over all the entrants. They may take a second view of your dog or may even ask another judge to take a look for a second opinion. Do not leave the ring until the stewards have given you permission.

Sometimes finalists or even placings may be called at the end of your class but it is more common for placings to be given at the end of the show.

After all the classes re comb all the dogs you have groomed, you are not allowed to alter the trim on your dog after the class has finished other than by combing. Make sure you have a suitable lead to present the dog with. One for each dog in case you have more than one placing. You may need a helper or portable kennel to leave multiple dogs in whilst you receive placings.

A presentation ceremony will begin. Have each dog ready and listen closely for your name to be called. If you are called proceed to the appropriate table as indicated by the judge or stewards and present your dog to receive your award and have a photo taken. After all three placings have been awarded and the photos taken. You and your dog may leave the ring. Listen carefully again in case you are placed with any other dogs you have done.

After all the placings are given the first places will be called back in and the all the judges will take another look over the dogs. The best of group or best of show will then be awarded.

You may now take your dogs and yourself home. Job well done.


I hope the above descriptions help to disperse any fears you may have about the unknown side of competing. If you still have fears I would recommend attending a show and watching the proceedings from the ringside. There are also usually many useful seminars on at the same time as the competition.


Well that's it for now. Hope to see you all at some competitions. Good Luck.

Well the hot weather is here and everyone wants there dog 'in this week' and 'clipped off'. We're also finding that those 'once a year people' are turning up. You know the ones... no matter how much you tell them that it is cruel to leave their dog that long in between grooms, or how much you charge because thier dog was in a discusting matted state (which you have mentioned more than once, is now ilegal!!!) they smile at you, insist they didn't realise, pay whatever you charge, promise they'll book in for 6 weeks (then do but don't turn up!!) and still phone up the following year expecting all to be forgiven!!! Of course we always take them in as our hearts are too big and no matter how much we may loath the owner for doing that, we just can't bare to think of the dog being left in that state when we have a chance to do something about it.

So after my little rant (I'm chilled now I promise.) I'll give you some general advise on timings.

Any breed which will require some kind of trimming by a groomer within it's life, should attend the parlour as soon after there puppy injections as is possible. Don't worry, you don't have to have your fluffy puppy clipped down. In fact we prefer the opposite. We prefer that on the first couple of visits you keep your puppy as a puppy. We will do any fine clipper work needed for your breed (eg. Face, feet and tail on a poodle.). Clip hair from the groin and pads, pluck and clean the ears, clip the nails and clear around the eyes, give them a nice bath and that's it. It's so vital that your puppy experiences all that a grooming parlour will bring right from the start. (Being away from mum or dad, loud noises, other dogs, being possed into various possitions to reach different areas and those buzzy clippers.) If you haven't yet taken your dog to a groomer and it's now a 'puupy' of 6 months or more, don't dispare! You can help your groomer out Immensely by doing some simple exercises at home. When fussing your puppy use your fingers to massage in between each toe and under the pad untill your pup feels confident about this. You can practice holding the hair under the chin and using your fingers as pretend scissors around the eyes and fringe (if required by your breed). Also if you have a men's (or lady's) shaver around the house you can massage your puppy with this to get them used to what the clippers feel like. Pay special attention to under their feet and around their head and face. We really do apreciate the time you take at home. Even hand stripped breed need to attend at a young age. My puppy's get their first strip at 4 or 5 weeks old, although I apreciate not everyone is in a situation to do this untill the puppy may be 12 weeks or more. Please also make evey effort not to allow your puppy to become matted as there is no worse experience for a puppy than to have to be pulled around or shaved on their very first experience because the owner neglected them!!

As for general grooming timings, we usually have any heavily scissored breeds (eg poodle or bichon) in for grooming every 4 weeks. Shih tzu and larshas, spaniels and most terriers can usually go 6-8 weeks whilst most clipped off dogs or double coated breeds (eg rough collie or samoyed) can usually go as long as 12 weeks if the owner can maintain them.

Well I've babbled enough. Go and enjoy the sun whilst it is here :o)

Hello everyone, sorry it's been a while I've had flu and then my pc got a virus too. LOL.

Well, a lot has happened since we last spoke. The puli I mentioned before turned up as planned and I had great fun creating new dreds out of the large singular mats that had taken the place of the ears and tail. The mats were far to big to pull appart so I had to slice through most of them creating fake dreds. I carefully plucked the hair from in between each dredlock so as to prevent them from rematting and keep them seperate. I removed the belly dredlocks that were hidden underneath and the owner wanted the feet rounding and the skirt lifting. Other than this the owner didn't want anything else doing and as I have mentioned previously, despite never being touched the dog was suprisingly in relatively good condition!!

I had yet another first a few days after. My first hairless chinese crested, I've done a powder puff before but not a hairless. I was very excited as I like this breed. I like anything freaky!! His name was Vinnie and he came in with a sparkley black diamonte collar and lead and a Harley Davison t-shirt. He was a bit shy but very friendly. I clipped the 'fuzz' of his hairless body with a reverse #50 blade. ( They use a bic razor for show dogs but I was nervous of rashing on a pet that wasn't used to it so just stuck with the short blade.) I clipped his face much like a poodle and the owner opted for hair to be left on his ears. I clipped the top third of his tail to create a plume and rounded his feet. His leg hair was a little high so i clipped the line a little lower so he now had his socks. The mane was left untouched. He looked very handsome when he was done, and his mum was very pleased and gave us a large tip. Yeah :-)

I continued to groom through the flu but evenings meant straight to bed, and I could hardley get through the dogs in the day without running off to be sick every 10 minutes. :-z . Hubby really carried me through it, He's a star. :oD .

We have hosted a grooming seminar since we last spoke. It was to help raise funds for Groom Team England. The day raised over £800 towards the world championships in September. The day went well. We demonstrated most of the City and Guilds qualification breeds and a few of the higher diploma dogs too. Breeders were on hand to demonstrate show poodle trimming and hand stripped westies. We had a 'La Pooch' de matting demonstration and a hydro bath demonstration using 'Requal' shampoo system. Myself and Alison Rogers also managed to sneek in some creative grooming. She coloured a bichon with chalk to look like a panda and showed some simple techniques with sprays to add hearts and flowers. I managed to use some kids blow pens to create a colourful buterfly tatoo on our white mini bull terrier. (Which did wash off, and good job too as Pete would have killed me as he had a champ show the week after!!!) Alison also gave a scissor technique demonstration were people could come up and have a go. Thanks to everyone who came and supported us amongst which were several members of the English Groomers Group who I know travelled many hours to be with us.

Roxi (our mini bull terrier) did indeed attend the WELKS champ show all sparley and white. She did very well that day. At just 11 months old she achieved her first Challenge Certificate (3 needed to make your dog a Champion) but also was awarded Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed. A huge achievement for her and us. She has since attende Birmingham National Champ show and got Best Puppy in Breed but she achieved no more that day. We have Scotland this weekend (SKC) so wish us luck there. X.

We have also attended one of the years major grooming competitions on the May bank holiday just gone, Eurogroom. It was the first time that me and Peter would be taking on the challenge of grooming three dogs each, within the competition. It was very tiering (Yawn). We were in direct competition in some classes! I took a clipped fox terrier, a toy poodle and our poochon. Pete had 2 of our Kerry's and a clipped schnauzer. I was placed 3rd with my clipped fox with our friend Jitka getting the 2nd with a stripped irish terrier and Peter claimed 1st with our scissored Kerry Blue. I may have got a third but I was still particuarly pleased as clipped terriers are note rated highly in classes that have stripped and scissored terriers in, so to be placed amongst them really means a lot. Peter went on to gain a second place with his schnauzer but was not placed with our other Kerry in the show class. The work was amazing and it had been a very hartd group for them to judge. I also achieved a 3rd with our poochon Nero. Our Friend Jitka Krizova won the show class with a beautifully stripped Welsh terrier. She later went on to achieve Best in show with this dog. Well done Jitka :-)

Well as I said we have Scotland champ show this weekend and it wont be long till I'm judging grooming at the English Groomers group challenge. I have seen some more unusual breeds booked in our diary so I'll try to keep you informed as and when they appear.

Just thought I'd share, today we had a four year old hungarian puli (there the little ones with the dredlocks!) walk through the door. Never been touched!!!! It was in supprisingly good condition considering. The majority of it's dreadlocks had formed well and were causing no problem to the dog. The only areas that were really badly affected were the tail and the ears which hadn't formed into smaller dreds but were just one solid mass!!! I've booked it in for next week so I'll let you know how it goes.