Can You Make Him Look Like That?

A constant note of discord between owners and groomers, is the owner's faithful perception that we, as groomers, can do anything.  It's flattering, but unfortunately it's unrealistic.  That gorgeous photograph you found of a Westminster grand champion is indeed a very pretty dog- but we can't make your dog look like that.

Why not?

Well, for a few reasons.  First, I'll address the reasons why a pet dog cannot look like a show dog.

1. Genetics

Most pet owners are not looking for a show dog when they buy a puppy- and therefore, most pet owners do not end up with a show dog.  Show dogs are not pets that people simply dolled up and threw in a show ring.  They are meticulously bred to meet very exacting physical standards, and have long and distinguished pedigrees of equally well-bred dogs.  There is nothing wrong with not owning a show dog, you simply need to understand that a dog with 10 generations bred for looks, is going to look better than a dog bred for other reasons.  We can only work inside the realm of what your dog has to work with, and if that means his coat is too thin, too wavy, too curly, or otherwise different from that "perfect" show dog- well, we can't fix that.  That doesn't mean he can't still be cute.

2. Lifestyle

Again, show dogs ARE show dogs- they are brushed and bathed constantly.  Some are even bathed every single day.  Long hair is rolled up into wrappers to keep it from getting dirty or damaged.  They do not get to play outside in the mud.  There are no little children creatively coloring them in with markers.  Every day is spent training, grooming, and primping.  Pet owners cannot match this.  Most pet dogs are bathed and groomed every 2-3 months.  The stains that build up in the meantime cannot be undone with one good bath.  Nor can a shaggy matted coat be brought into glossy silk perfection in one grooming.  Unless you want to live the life of a show-dog owner, your dog will not have that coat.  (And frankly, don't you think pet dogs have way more fun?)

3.  Grooming

When you have your dog groomed, you expect a bath, a haircut, a nail trim.  A good brushing.  Show dogs receive much, much more than that.  Ever wonder what makes their hair so straight and silky?  Hair products and flat irons.  How does their white get so white?  Heavy powdered chalk is worked into their coat before a show to make them appear flawlessly white- in reality, they have some staining and discoloration even in spite of their constant bathing.  Those perfect markings?  Often drawn-on with stick chalks.  Shiny coats?  Lots and lots of spray-on oils and conditioners.  That flawless Poodle pouf?  Hairspray and Southern-style teasing combs.  If it would really make you happy, we could do all those things for you- but it would only last about 5 minutes.  If you ever attend a show, you'll see that the handlers are hard at work grooming the dogs the entire time.  They only stop long enough to enter the ring, and as soon as they get out, they're fluffing and trimming and chalking for the next ring.  It's no different than a human beauty pageant- it's not a sustainable reality.

4.  Training

Show dogs are raised from birth to stand quietly and politely for grooming, even if it takes hours.  Pet dogs are not.  Groomers make the most of the time the dog is relatively calm, because after a while they typically start getting bored and dancing around with impatience.  Flawless scissoring isn't possible on a moving target.

Part 2

So aside from the Show Dog vs Pet Dog, what other reasons are there for groomers not being able to fulfill your photographic wishes?

1.  Breeds Vary

Even within a breed, there are a lot of differences in coat, size, texture, etc.  We'll do our best to imitate a cut, but if the dog pictured has a fuller or flatter coat, it may not look quite the same.

2.  Puppy Pictures

8 week old puppies are adorable.  That's why people buy them.  Unfortunately, they grow up.  No groomer can make an adult dog look like a 2-month old puppy again.  We can clip them down to a similar length, but the fluffy puppy hair will never come back again- nor will the sweet puppy face.

3.  Wrong Breed

The picture you found of a Yorkie might be adorable, but if you have a Lhasa Apso, there are going to be some technical difficulties in trying to get the haircuts to match.  Again, we can do our best, but we can't transform your dog into a new breed altogether.

Bottom line?  Try to be realistic in what you're looking for.  Be honest with yourself about how much brushing you really want to do between grooms.  Let your dog enjoy life without being hampered by insane hairdos.  And realize that your groomer is trying their very best to give you want you want, even if it's impossible.