In my point of view this is ridiculous and needs stopping

my point how do they know the materials used to dye the fur is not harmful to the dog. dogs lick themselves it gets ingested and could over time effect internal organs how would they know if a dog was allergic to something in the dye how ever natural they say it is after all dogs can be allergic to grass so how do they actually a particular dog will not react and finally if dogs were meant to be colour full they would be naturally

It’s just for us groomers to show off our skills to each other and keep us up to date with techniques
Thenbetty with respect you are part of the problem because what you bring to the table will be copied by those who think it’s wonderful to use their animals as toys

and of course pretty dogs aren’t meant to be pretty What next …doggy Botox ? Dogs are animals NOT canvases or toys or goodness me accessories

I’ve had two show type cockers, a cockerpoo and a huge labradoodle. These are the only dogs I’ve owned who needed professional grooming. All the others get frequent brush/comb/occasional shower.
Professional grooming helps keep coats in tip top condition, prevents matting and with doodles and spaniels, helps avoid ear problems by keeping the under ear safe and short.

It isn’t imo for painting dogs or making them look like lions. It’s so they can live a happy life

BlueBelle

*It’s just for us groomers to show off our skills to each other and keep us up to date with techniques*
Thenbetty with respect you are part of the problem because what you bring to the table will be copied by those who think it’s wonderful to use their animals as toys

and of course pretty dogs aren’t meant to be pretty What next …doggy Botox ? Dogs are animals NOT canvases or toys or goodness me accessories

Totally agreed. Show off your skills on puppets and wigs, NOT dogs. Dogs are part of our family, but they are DOGS and should not be treated as anything else.

It’s extreme but really shouldn’t be on the high street

It's extreme and should NOT happen. They are DOGS!

And NO, it is NOT ike crazy outfits on the catwalk, NO. Models choose the profession, dogs do NOT.

You just cannot believe just how upset, sad and angry your post has made me.

Betty18

I’m a dog groomer and this is something that happens in our profession, for a long time now actually. But it’s generally reserved for dog grooming shows and competitions.
Like the crazy outfits you see on the catwalk but not on the high street.
In real life our job is to keep dogs hygienic , knot free and of course pretty.
It’s extreme but really shouldn’t be on the high street.
It’s just for us groomers to show off our skills to each other and keep us up to date with techniques .

A groomer who cared about dogs would refuse to dye them. Showing off your skills to each other is far from caring for the dogs’ wellbeing. You’re just using the animals to show off. It’s not clever.

It’s another of those things on the ‘just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’
Different but strangely similar to dressing small girls up and plastering on makeup and hair spray for beauty pageants. Those children can’t give informed consent either

Yes, very similar and equally distasteful.

It isn’t imo for painting dogs or making them look like lions. It’s so they can live a happy life.

I hear what you are saying Iam64 but what is different about the lion headgear, for 10 minutes, and the dry coat my dog wears when he has been in the sea or the river every day and the life jacket he wears on the paddleboard?
He has a very happy life!

And a red one

Germanshepherdsmum

Betty18

I’m a dog groomer and this is something that happens in our profession, for a long time now actually. But it’s generally reserved for dog grooming shows and competitions.
Like the crazy outfits you see on the catwalk but not on the high street.
In real life our job is to keep dogs hygienic , knot free and of course pretty.
It’s extreme but really shouldn’t be on the high street.
It’s just for us groomers to show off our skills to each other and keep us up to date with techniques .

A groomer who cared about dogs would refuse to dye them. Showing off your skills to each other is far from caring for the dogs’ wellbeing. You’re just using the animals to show off. It’s not clever.

Totally agree with every word of that. None of our Labs has ever been to a groomer, but I do understand that there are breeds which do need regular grooming for the sake of their own health and wellbeing. But there's a big difference between that - which is for the benefit of the animal's own welfare - and someone who is just 'showing off their skills' by ridiculous cuts and dyes. No dog needs that - full stop.

And a green one, as a pup.

Joseanne, my cockapoo had an equafleece in an attempt to help him less muddy. He loathed it and it caused matting under arm. I know many people use them for good reason, as you do but my dogs just wear the coats they were born in
I see far too many little dogs dressed up in coats they don’t need

Nothing wrong with grooming a dog because its breed requires it for health, comfort, reasons.

Nothing wrong with a coat in extreme weathers.

We use the coats because we often stay in rented properties and the coats stop all the mud and sand dropping on the floor. We just shake them outside after wear.

We just shake them outside after wear.

The coats, NOT the dogs!

Unfortunately no-one has designed a coat to catch labrador fur. If they do, my lab will wear one. They shed twice a year, October to May and May to October. I’ve a dyson animal that generally helps but it’s at least once a day
I’ve just cleaned the utility, where the dogs sleep and come into the house from its side door. The floor, surfaces, white Gids abd cupboard fronts plus the (dog) shower
Then the kitchen - ditto

Yes, Labs do only shed twice a year, as you say! Labrador glitter! A year-round joy (as are Labs themselves, obviously).

Oh yes, cupboard fronts and skirting boards, splashes and hair get everywhere. If the weather would only warm up and stop being damp the dogs would dry off a lot quicker.

It’s a good job we’ve love them isn’t it. The thread of how much we spend on them made me smile. I couldn’t possibly comment but at least I’m saving on equafleece. My princess diva spaniel refuses to move a single muscle if I try to put a coat on her. Health problems made her long, silky show coat dry and matted so in the end I agreed with the groomer to gave her clipped. This led to me buying a coat during the cold, wet winter. Despite being a Good Girl, she threw a stubborn look at me and nothing could induce her to move, not even chicken.

I think this says it all if they are not happy. I was only trying it on him to see if it fitted. It didn't!

Blondiescot

Yes, Labs do only shed twice a year, as you say! Labrador glitter! A year-round joy (as are Labs themselves, obviously).

Reminds me of our nephew many moons ago saying to their labrador 'Oh M***, you are covered with hair!'

Must say I am mightily pleased all the dogs that have found us over the years, never needed grooming or clipping, and never had long hair. Getting nails trimmed and basta.

I do not think it is cruel. Dogs are very serene and forgiving creatures and I'm sure they aren't that bothered as long as the stuff doesn't smell bad to them. However, I think it is a sad comment on human beings that they can't appreciate the beauty and natural grace of these wonderful creatures that are our best friends. It makes a fool of the owner, never the innocent dog.

I can assure you mine would be bothered if anyone tried to do that to him!