Popular Pomeranian Haircuts

The grooming industry is a place of pageantry. Groomers deservingly equate themselves to artists. They are proud of the end results of each furry client. A groomer’s day at work can be a tough job sometimes. Between intricate Pomeranian haircuts, caring for senior dogs with limited mobility, and ensuring the care of each dog, it’s a hard day’s work. It takes a specialized touch to ease anxious dogs into calming down in the foreign environment of a pet salon. Groomers are also responsible for delivering preventative care. As a groomer trims each dog, they are conducting a wellness check. Searching a dog’s skin for possible signs of medical ailments and checking coat-health is part of the responsibility. A special kinship develops between doggie clients and groomers.

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique owners are the ones who customers will speak with while they visit a shop. Ownership relays the wishes of each client to professional groomers who give dogs their haircuts. It’s important for customers and owners alike to be very specific about what they want for their dog. There are industry terms that are used by groomers but differ in meaning. A puppy cut at one salon can mean something different at another salon. Some grooming techniques, like Pomeranian haircuts, are very stylized. Discuss the specifics of the grooming from ears to toes so that everyone is on the same page.

Shaving: Good or bad for Pomeranian Haircuts?

Another important thing to discuss with customers before they decide on any Pomeranian haircuts is shaving. Pomeranians are nordic dogs with double-coats that help insulate them in the cold. During the summer, a pom’s double-coat helps regulate their temperature—cooling them down. If a customer decides to shave their pom down as a puppy, this could forever affect how their coat grows back. In some cases, shaving into the lower layer will prevent the coat from ever growing back to its original state. A coat will grow back in patches or much thinner than before shaving. Shaving also exposes the elbows.  A pom’s coat normally buffers exposed joints to carpeting or rough surfaces.

Many Pomeranian haircuts require shaving. Shaving is a controversial issue when it comes to grooming. Speak with customers about different options. The best way to avoid any mishaps is a thorough conversation with your clients. A client may unknowingly ask for a specific trim that requires shaving, without knowing the haircut’s implications. Explain that keeping their poms the healthiest possible is our goal. If an owner decides to give their dogs one of the iconic Pomeranian haircuts like the teddy bear cut, they are going to need to maintain this cut for the rest of their dog’s life.

Types of Pomeranian Haircuts

The American Kennel Club recognizes the Pomeranian as the 22nd most popular dog breed. Poms are little balls of fur that need tons of grooming maintenance whether an owner decides to shave or not. To keep a pom’s coat from developing matts, regular bathing, trimming, and brushing need to be administered.

Let’s explore some of the most popular Pomeranian haircuts out right now.

Teddy Bear

A now-famous Pomeranian named Boo set the grooming world on fire after he went viral with his adorable haircut that made him resemble a darling teddy bear. Depending on clients’ wishes, you can shave a pom all the way down or leave some fur. The haircut begins with a rough cut—evening out the pom’s body fur. Scissor trimming then sets the head for the teddy bear look by blending the fur from the dog’s head into the body. The result is the poofy head typical of a teddy bear. The rest of the dog’s grooming needs like paws, ears, and glands are scissor-cut with no differences. This haircut is the loveable favorite for pom owners all over!

Lion Cut

Playing off the regal nature of a pom, this is another of the most popular Pomeranian haircuts. The lion cut retains a full mane around the dog’s head, shoulders, face, and chest.  Again, begin with trimming down the pom’s body fur. Your groomer will most likely use a #7 blade to trim down the dog’s body fur. The tip of the tail is left untrimmed for a puff that resembles the king of the jungle. The mane of the Pomeranian will need regular brushing to keep from tangling. You can advise clients to consider using Nourish conditioning, which helps keep skin healthy while it’s exposed to the elements. With the proper care, this Pomeranian haircut will have everyone roaring!

Puppy Cut

Some groomers interchange the Pomeranian haircuts puppy cut with teddy bear cut. Puppy cut definitions are usually according to breed. For a Pomeranian, the term puppy cut could mean different things. Typically, a groomer will ask clients a few questions to get a better idea of the look the customer truly wants. A puppy cut means healthy trimming of the body, legs, tail, ears, face, and top of the head. Depending on the pet salon traditions, a puppy cut doesn’t mean shaving a dog down. A puppy cut is essentially the monthly trimming every Pomeranian needs for cleanliness. It doesn’t hurt that it’s super-cute too!

Show Cut

The Westminster Dog Show follows the American Kennel Club’s definitions of breed standards. The AKC standards don’t allow any major altering of a dog’s natural coat. According to the AKC’s breed standards, a Pomeranian can only receive light trimming of the coat to neaten it and keep its natural shape. Slight trimming of the ears, feet, and anus will clean up any loose hair. We recommend trimming these areas. Sanitary areas should be trimmed and under the feet need to be clipped to around a 1/2 inch in length. Inside the ears, the hair is removed to prevent infections. Shaving or grooming styles that change the natural lines of hair are not allowed. The goal of a show cut is to a highlight a pom’s natural elegance.

Working with Clients

It’s important to understand why clients want to have their Pomeranians shaved down to a more manageable length. Without regular Pomeranian haircuts, a dog’s coat will need incessant brushing. Discuss this with your clients, as well as the health implications to find the best choice for each dog.

For more information on Pomeranian haircut techniques, click here!

 

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10 of the Best Big Dogs for Kids

Asking which breed is the best big dogs for kids is a tricky question. Organizations like the American Kennel Club and the American Temperament Test Society offer clues into which dog breed might be the best companion for your children. However, it’s important to know that like all things, dog behavior is situational. A Golden Retriever is just as likely to have aggression issues as a Pit Bull Terrier. The key to owning an amazing dog is treating your dog amazingly. This being said, if you are thinking of introducing a pet into your children’s life there are some suggestions from the pet experts. Behavior idiosyncrasies, common medical issues, and trainability are all things to consider.

Having a dog in the home helps teach kids responsibility, especially if you get a puppy. During puppy training, everyone in the house will have to follow through with consistency. If you don’t want your dog to jump up on people as they walk in, and your kids are letting him jump up—all the training goes out the door. Your kids can also learn to keep up with a dog’s walking and eating schedule. These small chores are a fun way to learn some responsibility.

Getting a dog is a big decision, almost as big as having human children. Make sure your whole family is on board and ready to take on the loving, challenge. If you have any questions, ask your vet or groomers at Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique.

Raise the Ruff: The Best Big Dogs for Kids

Mixed Breeds

“Mutts” actually make some of the best big dogs for kids. With mixed breeds, it’s a win-win situation. Many shelters and rescues are overburdened with a number of stray dogs across the country. Going to a rescue or shelter can give a puppy or older dog a chance at a loving home. Genetic variance is also important. The larger the gene pool, the better probability your dog has of avoiding medical issues. Mixed breeds make unique and friendly family pets!

Great Dane

We love these guys! Great Dane’s are the gentle giants of the dog world. Even though a male can weigh up to 200 lbs, these doggos think they’re lap dogs. This breed loves to be played and relax for their grooming. Since they are large dogs they will need good exercise and if you have a very small child you will need to supervise their time spent together. Great Dane’s are sweethearts but they could possibly knock your child over in excitement.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese dogs are amazing companions who can make a great cuddle-mate for your kids. With a good-natured disposition toward other dogs and children, Bernese dogs are friendly with the family but can be a little shy with strangers. These dogs are eager to please and can be trained easily. The dogs do shed often and need weekly grooming as well as needing plenty of outdoor activity. A Bernese Mountain Dog is the teddy bears of pets!

Collies

You might consider doing your kids a favor and not letting them see the end of Lassie, opting into getting a Collie as a pet instead. Collies are known for having a graceful and devoted personality traits. As a part of the herding family, Collies can be trained easily and are great alongside kids. Of all the best big dogs for kids, a Male Collie can reach up to 75 lbs, making them an obvious contender. If you and your kids are looking for loyalty, get the family a Collie to herd the kids.

Labradoodle

This mixed breed dog combines two other stunning breeds to make one incredible dog. Of course, being a cross between Labrador Retriever and Poodle, these dogs are almost incapable of frowning. Intelligent, playful, and highly-skilled—these dogs are great with kids. They are easy to train because of their intrinsic good nature and often make great service and therapy dogs. If your kids have any allergies—no worries—this dog’s non-shedding coat is a good choice for allergy sufferers. Not to mention, Jennifer Aniston and Neil Young both have Labradoodles!

Mastiff

The Mastiff family comprises several types: American, English, Alpine, Cane Corso, Neopolitan, and others. All of them share similar characteristics including being great with kids. Mastiffs were originally used as guard dogs because of their thick sizes but underneath the body mass, they are softies.

Newfoundland

Coming from workhorse origins, the Newfoundland is a horse himself with a male weighing up to 150 lbs, but still makes one of the best big dogs for kids. Because of their massive size, these dogs romp around, are somewhat active, and great with kids. The Newfoundland sheds seasonally and sometimes will need supervision with other dogs. With these bear-like doggies, your kids will have an easy chore as the dogs need daily grooming.

Golden Retriever

Since the dawn of Airbud, families have fallen in love with the Golden Retriever. These loving dogs are friendly, confident, and will do just about anything for a game of fetch. Since Goldies are loyal and social they make great guard dogs for your household and have an intrinsic paternal sense with your kids. With these pups, it’s hard to distinguish who will be having more fun in the backyard; the kids, or the dog?

Boxer

At the shoulder, Boxer males can tower over 25 inches and weigh in at over 80 lbs. Boxers are very active and need tons of exercise so this can encourage your kids to stop playing video games and go outside to play with the dog. Boxers respond well to training and have high intelligence and social skills. As the 10th most popular breed in the U.S., Boxers make great playmates for your children!

Standard Poodle

The Poodle gets a bad rap as the beauty with no brains but this breed is actually one of the best big dogs for kids. A well-trained poodle is proud, intelligent, with a pleasing nature. Poodles come in three different sizes: toy (4-6 lbs), miniature (10-15 lbs), standard (40-50 lbs). Each variation has the same temperament so if you’re looking for a bigger rendition go with a standard poodle. The breed needs constant grooming and is very active.

We All Need Somepawdy to Love

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique loves dogs of all shapes and sizes! Whether you are looking for one of the best big dogs for kids or searching for a lap dog, we wish you luck finding an amazing furry companion for the kids!

 

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What Your Dog’s Diet Says About His Health

As pet parents, we are all concerned with providing our dog with the absolute best so that he can live a long happy life. Sometimes it’s not always easy to know conclusively if one dog diet is better than another. Can a special dog diet really add years to a dog’s life? Is a raw diet better than kibbles? Should I feed my dog canned or dry food? There are a lot of questions circling around the pet store so we thought we would clear the air and provide some answers for pet parents.

The importance of feeding your dog quality ingredients is vital to their health. Providing adequate nutrition gives your dog’s body the tools needed to heal and repair itself. When a dog’s nutritional needs are met you can see the effects in your dog’s coat, behavior, and the good news told to you by your vet. One of the best signs a dog is getting quality nutrition is in his coat shine. When your dog’s coat has that vibrant luster, you know he’s eating well. Dogs also tend to have more energy, especially in senior dogs. Senior dogs that have a great diet have better mobility and an extra spring in their step. An excellent dog diet will also help your dog age swiftly, keeping diseases at bay and dog’s body functioning optimally.

Poor nutrition can lead to medical issues and common conditions include: arthritis, allergies, infection, fleas, worms, and weight issues.

What a Well-Balanced Dog Diet Includes

Protein & Amino Acids. At least 50 percent of a dog’s diet ideally should be comprised of protein, at least 1 gram of protein per pound of their optimal body weight. Protein’s role in the body is building and repairing muscles and body tissues. Protein also supports body chemicals like hormones and enzymes that control normal body function. Protein is comprised of 20 amino acids. Without essential amino acids, a dog’s body cannot manufacture protein.

Vitamins & Minerals. Vitamins and minerals keep a dog’s immune system and metabolism functioning normally. Having the right vitamins and minerals in your dog’s diet helps their body convert calories into energy. Minerals also promote the normal function of cells.

Fats. Healthy fat is the primary source of energy while fatty acids derived from fat content maintain normal, healthy cells too.

Enzymes. Enzymes are specialized proteins that help break down and absorb nutrients. This nutrient also helps immune function, reduces inflammation, removes toxins, regulates hormone, and slows aging rates.

Carbohydrates. Dogs do not need carbohydrates to function but some carbs can be broken down by the digestive system to be converted to glucose—an energy source. Whole grains can also provide iron, minerals, and fiber. Starches need to be well cooked or can ferment in the large intestine. The best carbs come in the form of vegetables and fruits.

Dry Vs. Canned Food

One of the oldest conversations of contention in the veterinary realm is which diet is better: dry kibble or wet canned food?  Both sides have valid arguments, making the answer a blurry one. Dry dog food wasn’t available until after World War II when the pet industry started packaging dog food paper as mandated by the U.S. government.

The reason many dog owners prefer canned wet food is that it provides more moisture which helps keep pups hydrated. Some argue that dogs consume more nutrients with wet food. Since many wet foods do not include the processed fillers found within some dry food formulas, wet food has ‘more bang for your buck.’ The counterpoint to this is that wet food is expensive and can worsen your dog’s oral hygiene. The mechanical action of chewing dry kibble scrapes away tartar, while wet food particles stick to a dog’s teeth—leading to dental issues.

The answer boils down to quality and economics. There are low-quality dry kibble brands as well as low-quality wet canned food brands. The medium—wet or dry—is less important when discerning the true value of a dog food brand. Finding an affordable dog diet is determining the highest quality dog food per serving. Finding quality relies on deciphering a dog food label to ensure formulas include adequate nutrients for your dog.

The Rotational Diet

We at Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique believe the rotational diet is one of the best dog diets out there. By diversifying your dog’s diet into four elements, not only are you ensuring that he gets all his nutrients, but it will also be tastier for him. Variation in a dog diet helps prevent allergies and is also an affordable alternative to many trendy dog diets on the market right now. The rotational diet spans four elements: fresh, dry, canned, and raw. Most pet parents are already giving their dogs two elements without even know it.

Dry Kibble. High-quality kibble foods should provide all nutrients a dog needs and the friction from chewing to work away at the plaque.

Canned Food. Grain-free canned food with optimal moisture helps keep a dog hydrated while packing tons of great protein into his diet. The best canned foods are 95% protein.

Raw Dog Food. Bones, organ meat, and muscle meat all comprise this category. Organs like the kidney, heart, and liver are packed with nutrients that are mimetic of your dog’s ancestral dog diet. Having a few meals a week consist of pure raw food will keep your dog’s inner-wolf happy by mimicking pre-digested stomach contents of wild prey.

Fresh. These are the table scraps. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and every once in awhile, a piece of your meal make great snacks for your pup. Apples alone have fiber, Vitamins A & C, Omega-3 & 6, and antioxidants. The fruit also contains a form a cyanide, which humans can filter out, but dogs cannot. Like many fresh foods, apples are great as snacks but too much can be unhealthy for a dog. Choose minimally cooked and processed foods for this category.

The Deal with Raw Food

A new debate that is continuing to heat up is the idea of providing a solely raw dog food diet. Many competitive dogs like racing Greyhounds and Iditarod sled dogs have been eating raw food diets for a long time. In 1993, an Australian veterinarian named Ian Billinghurst published, Give Your Dog a Bone, which illustrated his suggested dog diet, the BARF diet. The BARF diet, or Bones and Raw Food aligns a dog diet to what a pre-domesticated dog would be eating.

The evidence for raw dog food diets makes intuitive sense. Wild dogs ate mostly meat and bones which were high in moisture and low in carbohydrates. Vitamins and minerals stemmed from predigested vegetation from the stomach of their prey. Eating animals bones helped provide the friction needed to fend off dental issues. However, in 2004 the FDA issued suggestions to pet food manufacturers advising regulations to produce raw dog food more safely. Also, a number of studies have been published showing bacterial contamination. In 2006,  a study of 20 commercial raw dog food manufacturers found 7.1 percent contained a type of salmonella and E. coli bacteria was found in 59.6 percent of raw dog diets. These harmful bacteria can also be lead to human exposure and infection through a dog’s feces.

If you are adamant about giving your dog a completely raw diet, treat preparation the same as you if you were preparing food for humans. Make sure the dog bowl is washed every time he eats and any knives or dishes are washed with antimicrobial soap. Another option is buying commercial processed raw food diets that are frozen or freeze-dried with a blend of vitamins, vegetables, and grains that you mix with store-bought protein.

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique offer trusted brands in our stores that we feed to our own dogs at home. Visit a store today to see what health benefits we can provide for your doggo!

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5 Pet Blogs You Need to Follow Now

Check Out These Pawesome Pet Blogs!

You know a dog person when you see them. The ones who immediately hit the ground petting a puppy the moment a ‘fur-baby’ enters a room. Maybe they have a bumper sticker that reads, “Proud Dog Mom!” and their dog has the most photogenic pose in the holiday photo. Or, they read pet blogs religiously and have the answer to all those burning questions about why our dogs acts so goofy. What’s great about reading pet blogs is you can stay up-to-date on the all the happenings in the pet community. You can get fun tips on how to make pet treats, know the most current health & safety information, and of course check out all the pictures of the adorable fluffy faces out there!

At Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique, it’s our job to have our ears to the ground when it comes to dogs. We love to bring you the most relevant ways to keep your dog healthy, happy, and looking their best! This is why we decided to clue readers into a few great pet blogs making waves in the pet world. Blogs like these can even inform you on serious issues like dog food recalls. They’re packed full of great information! Pet blogs have diverse subjects ranging from traveling with your dog to answering the hottest questions on doggie fashion.

Keep reading to find out more about our favorite pet blogs!  

Puppy Leaks

Because of the obvious reference, the moniker Puppy Leaks is a hilarious name for a pet blog just to begin with. The founder of Puppy Leaks—Jen Gabbard—writes as a pet owner herself. Jen credits Laika, her Shepherd mix, as the inspiration behind starting the pet blog. Jen tells readers that Laika changed her life. Laika wasn’t like any other dog she ever owned before. Laika was a “resource guarder, had some issues with reactivity, and lacked confidence.” As Jen learned more about pet behavior and how to provide the best possible guardianship for Laika she decided to share what she learned. Thus, Puppy Leaks entered the world of pet blogs and has been an enriching source of amazing information ever since. Topics span categories like health, studies, opinion pieces, and our favorite, ‘why do dogs…” Ever wondered why your dog drinks from the toilet as if it was a soda fountain? Read Puppy Leaks and find out!

The Conscious Cat

At Splash and Dash, we’re lovers of all animals but our main focus is typically dogs. This is why we started reading the Conscious Cat! We wanted to stay in-the-know on the other four-legged furry children—the cats! The primary focus of Ingrid King—founder of Conscious Cat—is illuminating readers on “conscious living, health, and happiness of cat and their humans.” Ingrid views her cats as teachers. The first cat to help educate her was a cat named Amber who inspired Mrs. King to start writing Amber’s Mewsings before passing away in 2010. Since then, two other cats have joined Ingrid’s family of pet blogging—Allegra and Ruby. The Conscious Cat has won a series of awards for its helpful information and Ingrid King is also a published author with tons of publications in the pet community. Her most famous work is a memoir of how her cat Buckley enriched her life. The memoir fittingly titled, “Buckley’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. Ingrid’s style of writing is humbling and shows cat owners how amazing it can be to share your life with a cat.

Oh My Dog Blog

Although you wouldn’t get this from the title, the Oh My Dog Blog posts articles for dogs and cat obsessions. The blog is almost two pet blogs in one. One being Oh My Dog Blog and the other Holy Cat! Written by Maggie, a pet lifestyle pro based out of Indiana, the pet blog shows cute little glimpses into Maggie and her family’s life. Articles and pictures tell their story with her pets at the forefront!  In sync with values of other pet blogs, the Oh My Dog Blog aligns with core values like compassion, service, passion, community, and eco-consciousness. Article topics range from Maggie’s random thoughts, pet health, and even articles describing play time between her kids and pets. Maggie’s writing takes an honest look at being a mom to not only human children but her doggie and kitty children too.  Her posts are relatable to anyone who owns a dog or cat. Some articles are informative while others share her interests and opinions, but all Maggie’s posts offer a personal glance at family life.

Take Paws: Go Pet-Friendly

OK so, Go Pet-Friendly is a really useful website that helps pet parents find pet-friendly vacation spots. The websites publish a blog called Take Paws, which is primarily written by Amy and Rod Burkert—a couple with two dogs named Ty and Buster. Ty is a wrinkly-faced Shar-Pei while Buster is a smiling German Shepherd. The story goes, the family would spend hours researching vacation destinations where they could bring their two dogs. After fruitless searching, the couple decided to launch their own website. The rest is history and the Blog now has hundreds of articles for anyone on the road traveling with their pup. What we like about the blog is that the couple opened up their platform for other pet parents to write about their favorite vacation spots. If you hate leaving your dog at the kennel while you hit the road, don’t pause at Take Paws!

Adventure Cats

With a slogan like, “Living Nine Lives to the Fullest,” you know Adventure Cats is packed full of awesome cat-ology! The Adventure Cats Staff are a collective of cat lovers who deliver blog posts, Instagram pictures, and videos on everything feline. Think your cat can’t be trained to ride a skateboard? Read this pet blog and think again. Adventure Cats focuses on pet parents who love traveling and living an adventurous lifestyle and want to find ways to include their cats. Our favorite section of this pet blog is, Cat Tales. These posts share the stories of intrepid cat owners who take their cats for hikes up mountains, or canoe trips downriver, even circum-CAT-igating a sailing adventure! Cat owners with itchy feet for the road will love this one!

More Notable Pet Blogs

With so many incredible animals, it’s hard to include all the awesome pet blogs for people who might have a rabbit, turtle, or even a goat. Check out these pet blogs for other cool postings on all things pets!

Pet Blogs:

  • HEREPUP!
  • Goats of Anarchy
  • It’s Dog or Nothing
  • Rancho Relaxo
  • Golden Woofs
  • Trained Parrot
  • Montecristo Travels
  • Snake Buddies
  • The Jet Set Pets
  • Sarah’s Bearded Dragon Rescue
  • A Gift Horse

Of course, you can always stay posted on Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique’s blog where we dedicate ourselves to bringing you the most recent and trustworthy information from the experts!

Stay Dirty, Live Clean!

 

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