EDITOR’S NOTE: PETS+ is the media partner for GROOM’D, the annual grooming-focused pet trade show presented by World Pet Association. The PETS+ team will be reporting live from Atlanta, GA, Friday through Sunday. To not miss any of the action, like our Facebook page and sign up for the daily GROOM’D ebulletin at petsplusmag.com/subscribe.
GROOM’D Seminar Snippets: Jonathan David, a grooming expert and judge, led a laughter-filled session Saturday that focused on different grooming styles around the world. He shared various photos showing similarities and differences between U.S. standards and those from other countries. David explained that beauty is subjective and varies between countries. He shared that when he competed in European countries or others, he would change how he groomed a dog based on the country’s beauty standards and expectations.
David also explained that dogs’ coats can differ depending on whether they were bred for beauty or what they were initially bred to do. For example, a Collie bred for beauty will have a finer coat than a Collie bred to be a working dog. A reminder that no two dogs, even of the same breed, are alike.
He shared this great piece of advice for groomers, as well: “Listen to your eye.” Once you finish a groom, step back and critique your work. If your eye keeps focusing on one particular spot or area, it’s your brain’s way of telling you that something is off and a sign that it needs to be fixed.
