Miniature schnauzer, professional or home grooming?

[permaquandry]

Just looking at the cost of buying all the home grooming paraphernalia for my pup. Just wondered if I'm better off shelling out for a pro job every 6 weeks (is it that regularly needed?) or, once I've paid for the stuff, could easily do myself and save money in the long run? Ta everso.

Unless you're an expert or not worried about the end result I would def go down the professional groomer route . I'm not a Schnauzer owner but ours only go to the groomers every 8-12 weeks ( Borders and a X breed terrier)

Depends on what you have the dog for. I'd say it would be cheaper in the long run to buy your own equipment but if you're intending to show then groomers every time. If the dog iS just going to be a family pet then by all means do it at home. It might be worth going to the groomers the first few times, to get the dog used to the equipment in a professional environment and also so you can pick up a few tips. Good luck.

My groomer seems to have magical powers as my mini schnauzer lets her do anything to him.

He won't even let me brush him.

So for me, professional groomer without a doubt.

It's quite expensive though, about £30 every 6 weeks or so.

I am now the proud owner of a dog that needs to go to the groomers every 6 weeks costing between £25 - 35 every time depending on who exotic the clips is. I've always had short haired low maintenance dogs before. I too have thought about doing it myself. I think there are a few points to consider: how artistic are you? do you have a good "eye" for this kind of thing? I used to clip horses and was good at it but in particular was good at a "take the whole lot off" clip not so good at the take half off leaving straight lines!! Secondly do you care what you dog looks like. Out walking the other day I met a very smart schnauzer with a very smart clip eye brows, beard, a fringe going round the body if I owned one of these I would want my dog to look like that but I meet plenty of schnauzers who are not clipped like this including one on the same walk who looked slightly fluffy wiry? If it matters to you how you dog looks then unless you're already a hair dresser or are prepared for quite a few errors/disasters before getting him to look even half decent then I suspect you're going to have to take him to the dog groomers. I don't know anything about schnauzers but my dogs hair grows back very quickly so the only consolation if you do do it yourself is that your not stuck with it for ever!

Do you know dog groomers don't have to be qualified? They can use sharp scissors and blades on your dog without being properly trained? There are DVD's you can get to teach yourself. If you prefer to get your dog 'professionally groomed' make sure a 'professional' does it. Ask to see City&Guild qualifications and always look for the Pet Care Trust logo.
www.petcare.org.uk/

Avoid this: www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4597728/secret-film-shows-pets-being-beaten.html
Fact is you don't really know what goes on when you leave your dog with someone else. Read dogs body language if it is a quivering wreck before you drop it off there is a reason for that.

Hello,

I am a dog groomer, but only for Spaniels and dogs who need Spaniel trims.

I have groomed quite a few of the breed and I think, if you have the patience and time, there is no reason for you not to groom your own dog. Groomers website is a good site to look at. If you don't mind what your dog looks like then buying your own might make it even better, after all a groomer could always rescue you after. I only work with working dogs so I'm more into the practical side of how a dog looks. Remember blades heat up quickly, especially using them for the first few times. You could also try hand stripping for yourself, this is what I do with my dogs- often sat in front of the TV whilst sat on the floor with them.

If you do go down the groomer route just double check for their certificates and it is a good idea to look up reviews of them. Most dogs get nervous going to the groomers, they're leaving their owner and some salons can be very noisy. Good luck.