Grooming Facts

How often does my dog need grooming?

Dogs should be groomed every 4 to 8 weeks.
Many factors can determine how often your dog needs grooming, such as the length of the coat, the breed of your dog and the desired style or cut.
If your dog has a short coat, we recommend he or she be groomed every 6-8 weeks.
If your dog has a medium - long coat, we recommend that he or she has a full groom every 4-6 weeks.
If your dog has a long coat, we recommend a tidy up groom monthly to prevent having to shave off their coat when they become matted. A long coated breed must be brushed and combed as often as possible. Recommended 4 times per week at home.

As a dog owner you must ensure your dogs nails are trimmed every 2 months. Regular nail trimming will maintain a healthy foot structure and stop the nail quick (vein) from growing too long.
A dogs coat must not be washed more than once a week. As too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils, these natural oils keep the coat strong, moisturized and glossy. It is recommended to bath your dog at least once a month.
A dogs ears must be cleaned regularly, twice a month is recommended.
Double coated breeds should have a full professional brush-out 4 times a year. We also recommend a bath and blow-dry to remove excess hair every 4 weeks for optimal coat maintenance/health.

The amount of times you should brush your dogs coat per week can vary from coat length and coat type.
For medium to long coats, you can use a slicker brush and a metal comb. Parting the hair in sections on a small area at a time will help eliminate matts from forming. Any matting you find with your comb that you cannot get through, use your slicker brush to go back over that area. The more you brush your dog the less knots and tangles will form in the coat.
Brushing your dog can be relaxing for both your dog and yourself. Lying your dog on the floor on their side can help them settle and bond closer with you. If you can not see the skin when parting the hair, matting has formed.
Longer parts such as the ears, tail, and underarms should always be combed. These spots are the most likely to have matts.

A matted coat becomes painful and a great place for bacteria and fleas to grow.
Matted fur is uncomfortable for dogs because it pulls on their skin. Matts can lead to hot spots, irritated skin and eventual infection. Severely matted pups in most cases, will need to be shaved short underneath the matting.
One very important rule... If your dog is matted, do not bathe him/her, this only makes the matts tighter.
Dog owners should not attempt to cut matts out of their dogs. We will remove all matts gently and slowly, preventing any discomfort to your pet.
Severely matted pups will take more time and may require additional grooming costs.

What is the difference between a fur bearing breed and a hair bearing breed?

Fur bearing breeds have a double coat, made up of a soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat. These breeds like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Pomerainians, shed their undercoat to regulate their body temperature.
Hair bearing breeds like Yorkies, Shihtzus, Poodles and Bichons have a single coat which lacks an undercoat. Their coat continues to grow and they do not shed.

My double coated breed is hot or is shedding too much, should I shave him/her?

We do not recommend shaving double coated, fur bearing breeds.
We recommend a regular brushing and de-shed to keep their coat healthy and able to function naturally.
A properly groomed fur coat regulates cold and hot temperatures. Cool air can reach the skin and circulate when the undercoat and matts are removed. Their top coat protects them from the sun's rays keeping them cool in the summer. Click here to view a helpful diagram to learn how this works!
Shaving a double coat can cause post clipping alopecia. This is when the hair grows back unevenly or not at all.
Shaving a double coat can cause the undercoat to grow back thicker making it difficult for thermal regulation. A thicker undercoat means even more shedding and is more likely to cause matting.
Dogs not used to being shaved may scratch excessively, irritating the skin creating hot spots.
Shaving double coated breeds puts them at risk for sunburns, heat stroke, bitting flies and mosquitoes.

Cost of services differ depending on the size of your pet, coat condition and grooming style.
Please call for prices.

How long does the grooming process take?

We book grooming appointments throughout the day and provide them with a one on one grooming experience so they will be home as soon as possible.
Our grooming appointments on average take between 2-3 hours depending on the groom. We will give you a call as soon as your pup is ready to go home.

If by chance your pup comes to us with fleas, he/she will be bathed with an all natural flea shampoo to kill existing fleas. This may require additional grooming costs.
We recommend a flea spot on treatment to be used after.
When using flea spot on treatments, make sure you wait at least 48 hours before and after a bath to allow the product to work effectively.