[kates]

I wasn't sure where to put this, but I know there are at least a few locals around here, so thought I'd give it a shot ...

I need to find a new groomer for the kids. What I would really, really like is someone who could clip Alfred for me prior to shows in addition to the regular groom, nails, etc.

I'm in Vancouver, WA but could easily do anything surrounding the Portland, OR area.

My "normal" groomer is getting out of home grooming and grooming out of a big box petstore - which I could maybe get over except that it's FAR from me. All I had her do anyway was the basics (bath/condition/nails) and then I have some hand clippers that I would use to do his basic clipping. Faye's pretty low-key on what grooming HAS to be done so it's been fine. In fact for the last show I couldn't get him in for a grooming (I *may* have left it until the last minute) so I threw him in the tub myself. Let me tell you, it became crystal clear to me at that point that I would rather just pay someone!!

Next weekend I've scheduled him for a pro photo shoot though so it would be great if I could get him looking really sharp for that. Ideally, I would like to find a groomer that has experience with the more advanced Dobe show clip - for instance, I've been too scared to touch his underline and really I think that should be done. Not sure how many of those there are, but thought I'd try ... any ideas are appreciated!

 

[dobermansrule]

folks at Pup-a-Razzi are pretty good. I'm pretty they do show grooms too. Though, not super close to you.

 

[Adara]

Can your breeder or handler show you? I don't know many people who know how to shave Dobermans for show. An average groomer wouldn't know. It takes less than 15 minutes for me to shaev and then bathe. I'm not great at the neck so I do it about 10 days before the show.

If you get a different size blades, you really can't hurt much if you use the lower numbered blades. I use a 30 for ears, and face. I use a 10 on the belly, flanks, neck, tail, creases, pasterns, etc.

Just some food for thought.

 

[kates]

folks at Pup-a-Razzi are pretty good. I'm pretty they do show grooms too. Though, not super close to you.

Thank you! I'll try calling them.

Can your breeder or handler show you? I don't know many people who know how to shave Dobermans for show. An average groomer wouldn't know. It takes less than 15 minutes for me to shaev and then bathe. I'm not great at the neck so I do it about 10 days before the show.

If you get a different size blades, you really can't hurt much if you use the lower numbered blades. I use a 30 for ears, and face. I use a 10 on the belly, flanks, neck, tail, creases, pasterns, etc.

You know, she probably *could* - I'm not 100% sure how much of this she/they have done recently since they are primarily judges now and have been for a while (my breeders/handlers/co-owners are the same - Faye and Gary Strauss of Sherluck Dobermans). The bigger issue is that I don't see them until right before the shows, so if we're going to mess it up a little there won't be any time for it to grow out. That part about the average groomer not knowing how is what concerns me. Also, I don't want to tell her why I'm looking for the indepth groom (photo shoot) because I want to surprise her with the pictures when they're done - I know they will be excited and I love surprises like that! Probably silly

 

[Adara]

Also, I don't want to tell her why I'm looking for the indepth groom (photo shoot) because I want to surprise her with the pictures when they're done - I know they will be excited and I love surprises like that! Probably silly

No explanation needed - Certified PICTURE JUNKIE HERE Hopefully others close to you can help with suggestions. And that sounds like a great surprise for them.

I met Faye at one national back in 2003. Well actually my hubby met her. I was too chicken to say hi, cuz she was a "big name." I mean FAYE STRAUSS!!! He just walked up introduced himself and she turned out to be "one of us" and very pleasant to talk to

 

[kates]

No explanation needed - Certified PICTURE JUNKIE HERE Hopefully others close to you can help with suggestions. And that sounds like a great surprise for them.

I met Faye at one national back in 2003. Well actually my hubby met her. I was too chicken to say hi, cuz she was a "big name." I mean FAYE STRAUSS!!! He just walked up introduced himself and she turned out to be "one of us" and very pleasant to talk to

It's always so nice to hear I'm with kindred spirits here (and that not everyone thinks I'm crazy).

You know, I actually found and came on to DT with the express purpose of asking for some opinions on whether to co-own with Faye, and it was the stories like yours (there were so many!) that made me feel comfortable doing it. Faye and Gary are just the best. Could not have had a better introduction to dog showing.

 

[Dobelove]

I live in Vancouver so my mom or I could probably help you out

ETA: We obviously aren't professionals, but have groomed a million Dobermans for show

 

[kates]

I live in Vancouver so my mom or I could probably help you out

ETA: We obviously aren't professionals, but have groomed a million Dobermans for show

Oh seriously? Somehow I missed the fact that you guys are in the 'Couv too! I will PM you ...

I cannot get over how nice Doberman people are!

 

[Ninabug]

Dobelove would be an awesome person to help you out if you two can connect

 

[dobebug]

I live in Vancouver so my mom or I could probably help you out

ETA: We obviously aren't professionals, but have groomed a million Dobermans for show

Take her up on it Kates--she and her mom definitely can groom Dobes and show you how to do it.

I'd offer but I'm up to my ears on a bunch of puppies (belonging to other people) whose ears I'm doing at the moment.

 

[Julie W]

Agreed - that was a generous offer from Dobelove and she will do a great job for you.

Who are you having do your photo shoot?

 

[kates]

Dobelove would be an awesome person to help you out if you two can connect

Take her up on it Kates--she and her mom definitely can groom Dobes and show you how to do it.

I'd offer but I'm up to my ears on a bunch of puppies (belonging to other people) whose ears I'm doing at the moment.

Ha, you two better believe I am going to take them up on it! It's a very kind offer and I'm extremely curious to see what the grooming "should" look like - I also really want to learn what kind of equipment I should get to try this myself. Not sure when I'll be confident enough to do Alfred (although I do have many years experience clipping horses, so ...) but fortunately I have Audrey to practice on! Poor, poooooor Audrey.

Agreed - that was a generous offer from Dobelove and she will do a great job for you.

Who are you having do your photo shoot?

Tais Kulish - a friend that I ride with. She has taken some beautiful shots of the horse and me in the past.

 

[kates]

Update: Thanks to the kindness of Dobelove and her mom, Alfred is ready for his dog show and photo shoot this weekend Yay.

And we got to meet the lovely Avril ... who I'm now hoping is the perfect high energy playmate for Alf - we've been looking for one that is local!

 

[Julie W]

Tais Kulish - a friend that I ride with. She has taken some beautiful shots of the horse and me in the past.

I hope you post the photos, she does beautiful work!