Top Pet Groomers Answer Our Questions

Do you like your kitty extra pretty? How about a little poof on your pooch? For all our readers out there who like to groom their pets, Paw Nation asked four of the nation's top pet groomers our burning questions -- what to look for in a good pet groomer, how pet owners can save money, and of course, which celebrity pup they'd love to groom! Meet our panel:

Joey Villani is a judge on Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It" with decades of experience as a professional groomer and former owner of a pet grooming school. Shirlee Kalstone is an author of numerous books on the subject and an internationally recognized pet expert. Jorge Bendersky is a celebrity groomer based at the New York Dog Spa who has appeared on the "Today Show" and "Nightline". Manhattan-based celebrity groomer Jonathan David was the first runner-up during the first season of "Groomer Has It".

All four pet groomers will be showing off their skills this October in New York at Meet the Breeds, hosted by the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association.


WHAT CELEBRITY DOGS HAVE YOU GROOMED?

Jorge: Gisele Bundchen's dog Vida, Tatum O'Neal's Lena, John Leguizamo's Chulo, P. Diddy's dogs Sophi and Chacha, Alan Cumming's Honey. I've been grooming dogs in New York City for 16 years, so the list continues...

Shirlee: I groomed Grace Kelly's (Princess Grace of Monaco) brown toy poodle, Oliver, when I worked at a salon called Poodletown in New York years ago. Elizabeth Taylor was also a customer there, and I groomed her dog.

Jonathan: I've had the pleasure of grooming the dogs of some of my favorite celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Ivana Trump, Kevin Kline and Pheobe Cates, Julie Andrews, Louise Lasser, John O'Hurley, Debi Mazar and Betsy Johnson. But when it comes down to it, they're just owners that love their pets like anyone else.


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF DYEING DOGS IN BRIGHT COLORS -- FUN OR TRAGIC?

Jorge: Most dogs love getting attention, so adding color will do nothing but increase the amount of attention your fancy pooch gets everywhere! So as long as you use dog-safe products, I don't see anything wrong with it.

Shirlee: Aside from competing in a creative styling class, or participating in Pet Fashion Week or other runway show, I think it's a little sad that people would do this for no special reason. Even if they use color that's safe, it's impossible to remove in one shampoo and it takes months for the hair to grow out. For special occasions, it's better to use a little spray glitter that can be washed out with one shampoo.

Jonathan: The colors I don't mind so much; it's kind of fun. I used to color my Maltese when she was getting on in years and I swear the attention she got brought out the puppy in her again!


WHY GO TO A PROFESSIONAL GROOMER? CAN'T WE JUST BATHE OUR DOGS AND CUT THEIR NAILS AT HOME?

Read our groomers' responses on the next page.





Joey: There are a whole host of reasons. A puppy needs to have a good experience on their first few visits or they will never like to be groomed. Grooming can also be dangerous -- using sharp tools, clippers, chemicals and every day grooming hazards that can happen to the inexperienced.

Jonathan: Some breeds can be done by their owners, but most need a visit to a pro now and then. Nails have a vein known as the quick inside the center. If you aren't experienced at cutting the nails you can cut this vein and cause a lot of bleeding and pain. Also, groomers are your first line of defense -- we tend to notice skin issues, knots and parasite problems much more easily than the untrained eye.

Shirlee: You can groom at home if you own a smooth-coated breed or one whose coat is easy to care for, and if you're willing to learn proper brushing, combing and bathing techniques. Owners of dogs with longer hair sometimes brush only the top coat, while the undercoat becomes more and more matted and dirty. When that happens and the pet is bathed, suds tend to remain in the tangles, causing itching and skin problems.


WHAT SHOULD PET OWNERS LOOK FOR IN A GOOD GROOMER?

Jorge: Knowledge -- ask your pet groomer about his or her experience. Your groomer is going to see your pet more often than your vet, so they need to be qualified to detect abnormalities and suspicious changes on your dog's skin, ears, etc. Communication is also key.

Joey: Ask other pet owners where they go and if they are happy and if their pet comes home happy. Ask to take a look around the grooming salon. If they won't show you around, run. Ask any question that comes to mind -- about their experience or anything else. A groomer should realize this is your baby and you are concerned.

Shirlee: Don't make the first appointment by phone -- visit the grooming salon in person to see if it's clean and sanitary. See if you can take a peek at the pet groomers actually handling the dogs -- most salons will let you do this if you ask. Pay attention to whether the pets are being treated humanely. The groomer should have a good reputation and know the correct way each breed should look after it's groomed. Ask for references if you don't know the groomer's reputation or work.

Jonathan: A kind and compassionate person -- when you work with animals you have to be patient and calm to get results. Experience is key -- [look for] groomers that go for continuing education and keep up on the latest information.


IS THERE A PROPER CUT FOR EVERY BREED? WHAT IF YOU HAVE A MUTT?

Shirlee: Yes, there is a proper style for every breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. The easiest way to make a mixed-breed look lovely is to let your groomer determine your dog's coat type, whether it resembles any particular purebred, and groom it like that. Otherwise, take into consideration the coat texture and what trimming method -- clipping, scissoring or stripping -- will make the dog look its best.

Jonathan: The beauty of grooming is that you can go with the breed standard or, if you're not showing the dog, you can change it up and do something funky. I have a poodle/Bichon mix and she's marked like a Portuguese Water Dog, so I groom her like a tiny Porti. People ask me all the time if she's a Porti puppy.


DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DOG BREED TO GROOM?

Jonathan: I'm partial to poodles. I love their "doggitude" and their style. Their hair is like a canvas waiting to be created -- there are so many different styles of cuts you can do.

Jorge: I honestly love every breed. I like to scissor, so long-haired dogs make me wag my tail when they walk in the salon. But a cute dog with short hair and floppy ears will make me want to spend extra time giving him a nice ear massage, which they love.

Shirlee: Poodles. I used to breed and show poodles and my grooming salon was called the Poodle Boutique. I also wrote a book about how to groom poodles.


WHICH CELEBRITY DOG WOULD YOU LOVE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON FOR A GOOD GROOMING?

Jonathan: The little tiny Yorkie owned by Kelly Rowland. She's so small and adorable, and I happen to love Kelly Rowland!

Jorge: Miley Cyrus' dog. I have seen pictures and it looks like a hot mess....

Shirlee: Elle Macpherson's Labradoodle Bella or Eva Longoria's Maltese Jinxy.


WITH BUDGETS SHRINKING, WHAT CAN PET OWNERS DO TO STRETCH THE TIME BETWEEN GROOMING VISITS?

Jonathan: Ask your groomer to show you how to properly brush and comb your dog's hair. If you can keep them free of knots you might be able to go an extra week or two between visits. Also, some groomers offer brush-outs or just baths for far less cost than a full grooming.

Jorge: Learning how to take care of your dogs at home can help you stretch the visits to the groomer. Ask your groomer to show you how to properly brush your dog, and use the right tools to clean their ears and faces and trim nails.

Shirlee: Have a serious talk with your groomer and tell them that you need to cut down on your monthly or 6-week schedule temporarily. Most groomers will understand and suggest a shorter trim that the owner can care for more easily and even show you how to take proper care of your pet's coat between appointments. Every breed requires the right tools for proper coat care and, if the time between appointments has to be stretched, it's important to know what items to use and how to use them.

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