THE TRUTH ABOUT HYPOALLERGENIC DOGS. Dr. Rohit Katial is an associate professor of medicine at Denver’s National Jewish Health, one of the world’s top hospitals for the care of allergies and asthma. “Most allergists feel that cross-breeding to pro- duce a possible ‘hypoallergenic’ dog has not been successful. So, all dogs should be considered allergenic,” he said. Furthermore, the source of the allergens is in the dog's saliva and sebaceous glands, not the fur. Dander, or allergen-infused skin flakes, is the carrier for the allergen. Dogs that shed the least amount are
those that have been genetically pro- grammed to keep their coats longer such as Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Malti- Poos, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers. All of the groomers we spoke to suggested the best way to keep long-haired dogs from picking up dust, dirt and pollen is to keep the coat clipped short (not shaved), regular bathing and daily brushing.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT. The undercoat is the very fine fluffy hair closest to the skin of dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Pomeranians and German Shepherds to name a few. Also known as the double coat, these hairs are short and crimped, making them efficient at trapping air and insulating the dog. This is a natural process that keeps the dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer. That is why the long-haired double-coated dog does not need to be shaved in order to be cooler. The groom- ing technique for this type of coat is called raking, using a special tool that helps remove the undercoat. Raking, fol- lowed by a bath and blow dry will help separate the hair so that the groomer can get to the rest of the undercoat. Shaving a double-coated dog will
not reduce shedding. The hair will be shorter, but the dog will continue to shed. And finally, the “don’t worry it will grow back” theory isn’t always the case, Danis with Lucky Dog Daycare told us. “The undercoat will re-grow, but a lot of times the upper hair does not grow back. This will give the dog a patchy, scruffy, frizzy appearance,” he told us. The only reason one might consider shaving a dou- ble-coated dog is if he is severely matted.
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HOW DO I FIND A GOOD GROOMER? As in any profession, there are multiple levels of expertise, talent and personalities among groomers. We have visited the grooming salons listed here on multiple occasions, oftentimes on short notice. Each facility has been open and forth- coming, inviting us into their grooming areas.
We recommend visiting several
salons, and speaking with the groomers for a few minutes before making your decision. Be mindful that the grooming business is time sensitive, and the full attention must be kept on the dog. Groomers, like hair stylists, offer free consultations. But again, respect the groomer’s time. It’s a good idea to call ahead for an appointment if you are interested in a free consultation on your dog.
class,” said Shan. Sparshott believes regulations and inspections would only increase costs for the Florida business owner. “I don’t really think it’s necessary. I
think a dog owner needs to be very proactive with the groomer they select,” she said. She recommends pet owners ask about the groomer’s education creden- tials, and ask to walk through the shop to check cleanliness. She also says word of mouth or a veterinarian’s recommenda- tion are two ways to locate a reliable groomer.
DO ITYOURSELF & MAINTENANCE. Pet Supplies Plus offers a self-service
pet wash that has everything for the do- it-yourself dog person – an elevated tub with a hydro-surge hose for deep cleans- ing, shampoo, conditioner, towels, dryers and flea and tick products. We met a couple on vacation from Land O’Lakes, utilizing the service at the Pinellas Park location after visiting the beach with their dog. All of the salons we visited have favorite products that they like to use on
“Please allow extra time for grooming if your dog is matted.” advises groomer Marni with
The Green K9 in Mount Dora. Example: Atlas, a Great Pyrenees had never been groomed. “It took us nearly all day to groom him,” said Marni. “I think we took off five pounds of hair.”
Currently, only a small number of
states license pet groomers. In states such as Connecticut and Colorado for instance, licensed groomers must pass a written test, pass regular inspections, have training and standards that are set out in the law. Many Florida groomers have taken the extra step to receive hands-on training, even though it isn’t a require- ment.
Shan Sparshott, owner of Tampa Bay
Pet Grooming Academy says the hands-on training she offers is invaluable. “We show the proper way to control a dog on a table, how to prep a dog for a bath, and how to safely get them into a bath. You cannot learn these things in an online
Dudley, a Jack Russell Terrier, enjoys his groom- ing time at Pet Supplies Plus self-service pet wash.
their customer’s dogs, as well as their own. Products with oatmeal and smell- good lavender seem to be a favorite among Florida groomers. “I like the heal- ing properties found in the oatmeal line that we use here at One Lucky Dog,” said Erica. “It really helps soothe cracked, itchy and dry skin on dogs.”
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