Ultimate Dog Grooming - Hardcover

Geeson, Eileen; Vetter, Barbara; Whitmore, Lia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1552978737 ISBN 13: 9781552978733

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2004

Synopsis

Definitive how-to reference for grooming 170 dog breeds.

When it comes to dog grooming, one size clearly does not fit all. No other animal species is as diverse as the dog. The wide range of breeds includes all sizes, looks, temperaments and, most critically to grooming, coat types.

Each breed presents its own unique challenge for a finished grooming effect.

Ultimate Dog Grooming reveals the secrets of top dog groomers. The first section covers caring for and grooming the pet dog: how to keep coats healthy; tips for routine care; and advice for choosing a groomer.

The second section covers grooming as a profession: advice for starting a grooming business; choosing and buying equipment; the grooming process; detecting coat and skin disorders; and instructions for handling problems that can commonly arise.

The third section covers specific information for individual breeds. Each chapter is dedicated to a coat type, with step-by-step instructions for grooming each breed from start to finish. Insider tips for preparing a dog for show are also included.

More that 500 color photographs and line drawings throughout show exactly what to do. Ultimate Dog Grooming is the ideal reference for understanding and learning how to clip, strip or blow-dry a dog.

About this title

About the Author

Eileen Geeson is the author of The Complete Standard Poodle and a contributor to the grooming section of Ultimate Puppy. A championship show judge, she has a world record of Standard Poodle entries and 30 years dog grooming experience.

Barbara Vetter owned a grooming shop for 15 years.

Lia Whitmore has a Masters Certificate with the National Dog Groomers' Association of America.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1: COAT TYPES

Many people think grooming is all about clipping Poodles, but it is much more than that. Grooming is the act of keeping the skin and coat in a healthy, clean, balanced state. It also involves the maintenance of teeth, ears and nails.

Grooming is an integral part of dog care. Not only does it keep the animal clean and looking good, but it is also a social act that strengthens the relationship between handler and dog.

How you groom a dog depends on the breed, coat type and the owner's personal preferences. Anyone can put a dog on a table and brush its coat up and down for a few moments, but with a little thought and hard work, both dog and owner can enjoy the experience and, who knows, you may be a future Groomer of the Year as a result!

Buying a Dog: Coat Considerations

Among the many breeds of dog, there is a tremendous difference in the types of coat. Certainly, one should take this into serious consideration before taking on a breed of dog.

• Can you cope with the hair?
• Will the dog require professional grooming help? (See Chapter Four.)
• Can you afford the outlay of regular trips to the grooming parlor?
• Are you, or any of your family, asthmatic or allergic to shedding dog hair or dandruff or both?
• Could you cope with all those long curls that get covered with mud during a wet walk?

These are just a few questions that need to be considered before deciding on the right breed for your family. It is wise to speak to owners of your shortlisted breeds before making your final choice.

Your national kennel club will be able to put you in contact with breed clubs of those types of dogs you might be interested in. The club representatives can tell you how demanding the coat care is for their particular breed so you will know exactly what you will be taking on.

It is a good idea to consult a groomer to inquire about the cost of grooming sessions before making a final decision on which breed is right for your family. Additionally, groomers, who have worked with dogs of many breeds for many years, often have valuable knowledge to impart about the characteristics of different breeds.

For full information on grooming different coat types and the equipment needed, see Part Three.

Puppy Coats

Puppies of all breeds have a softer coat than they will have on gaining maturity, and it is easy to underestimate the grooming that is required as the dog matures.

Poodles, for instance, have a soft, fluffy wool coat that is easy to keep until they are about 7 months of age, when the coat will thicken. Unless it is properly groomed, the coat will mat or felt against the skin, especially if the coat gets wet and is left to its own devices to dry.

Basic Coat Types

There are many different types of coats. Part Three of this book is organized into the following categories:

• The short coat (example: the Whippet)
• The long coat (example: the Yorkshire Terrier)
• The corded/curly coat (example: The Curly-Coated Retriever)
• The medium/silky coat (example: the Irish Setter)
• The thick coat (example: the Finnish Lapphund)
• The stripped coat (example: the Airedale Terrier)
• The trimmed/clipped coat (example: the Bichon Frise)

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1552978737
• ISBN 13: 9781552978733
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288