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10-- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wed., November 27, 1978 To some people the thought of giving good old Rover a professional hair- -cut and shampoo on a regu- lar basis may seem like a bit of an extravagance. But if you own a dog, be it pure-bred or mongrel," a show champion or one who just likes to keep the fire- place company, proper SPIO; ore AR, SA OX, grooming is essential not 7 only for appearances, but for a good health as well. WOR Anne Mees owns and 413) shows pure-bred Standard poodles and has always pro- vided her animals with pro- per grooming, clipping and cleaning. And last year she started working on other . people's pets in the base- ment of her Utica home. She says there is a fair - owl, as ST Tad demand for professional dog daz grooming care in this area, 16 mostly from people who own x poodles or long-haired dogs such as collies and Afghans. And her 'clients' -are not just the fancy pure-breds. More and more owners are beginning to realize that all dogs require attention. The cost of the "complete treatment" depends on the size of the dog, the general condition of its coat, and whether the owner wants a cut and trim for show pur- poses or just an every-day "Hey, watch those whiskers." This Weekend Sat., Dec. 2 and Sun., Dec. 3 * 9:30 a.m. - Sat., Dec. 2: Pre Christmas Super Sale begins ® Mill Hollow *2 p.m. -Sat., Dec. 2: Santa Claus Parade © Port Perry * 4.30 p.m. - Sat., Dec. 2. Meet your new Mayor Elect, Jerry Taylor * Mill Hollow * 5 p.m. -Sat., Dec. 2. Official Opening & Draw © Mill Hollow *2 p.m. -Sun., Dec. 3: Pre Christmas Super Sale continues ® Mill Hollow' For Kids Under 12 SRT R SE Ha fi > > 3 Cl ae MILL ee 4) | <iq HOLLOW él oF ; ¢ rg Utica MILL / R.R.4 - PORT PERRY HOLLOW 7 (Between Manchester & Utica) i 985-8321 Vi Open Daily: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m." "REN ENE Sundays: 2to 5 p.m. » FMM IS IR TA AA ARTE. RET { rh ora FASE RN t Loe f ow NE shampoo and cut. Preparing a dog for a show takes about three hours, and in some cases can take as long as six hoyys... In addition to washing and cutting the coat, the treat- ment includes clipping the nails (very important if the dog doesn't get much run- ning outside) and cleaning and wax build-up in the ears. This is also very important for all dogs, and especially those with long hair where the wax will actually cling to the hair in the ears. If a dog's coat is not cut on a regular basis, the hair will start to mat, keeping air away from the skin. When this happens, sores can develop, and if the dog's hair is also dirty, there is a real danger of infection. The equipment used by Mrs. Mees is fairly straight- forward: a couple of pairs of electric clippers, scissors, nail clippers, and wire brushes with different kinds of teeth for different breeds of dogs. She also uses an expensive electric dryer designed especially for use on dogs. The general procedure is to "rough in" the cut with electric clippers, bath and dry the dog, and then put the final touches to the cut with scissors. For show appear- ances the work with scissors is most important. Other than regular flea powder, Mrs. Mees does not recom- mend that any kind of cosmetic powder be used. For most dogs, however, the sporting trim cut is sufficient. "It is plain, simple and practical", says Mrs. Mees. All breeds of poodles should be clipped and groom- ed on a regular basis, at least once every two months, and other kinds of dogs should get the same treatment as their coats require it. The style in which poodles ~ are clipped and trimmed for show appearances is actual- ly according to show regula- tions and has its roots in the traditional domesticated use of poodles. Poodles were at one time bred exclusively for hunting, and more specifically for retrieving in water. Sha- ving the hind quarters was apparently to allow the dog to swim better, while leaving the hair long around the chest and neck was to give the dog warmth in the water. The legs were also shaved to let the dog move through the water more easily. While some dog owners Bah! Humbug! This is no dogs life will go to great lengths (and expense) to get their animals ready for show, maintaining the health of the average family pet does not necessar- ily have to cost very much. If a dog's coat has been neglected for a long time, it should be treated initially by somebody who knows how to do it properly. After that an owner may find it quite easy to maintain the dog's groom- ing and cleaning on a regular basis at home. Far from being extrava- gance, it is really nothing more than common sense. And beside's, Rover's worth it, isn't he? <5 abr raiaas