Animal Groomer

Although the majority of animal grooming involves the care of dogs, the industry has grown and become much more diverse. It now also includes grooming services for other animals such as cats and rabbits.

Dog groomers look after the condition of dogs' coats by shampooing, clipping, trimming and grooming them. This job will involve working with a variety of different breeds and sizes.

A dog groomer's tasks usually include:

• discussing with the dog's owner what type of grooming is needed
• checking the skin for ticks, fleas, sore or inflamed areas and any lumps
• checking a dog's eyes, ears, mouth, nose, feet and nails
• shampooing and drying
• brushing or combing to get rid of tangles
• trimming the dog into the right shape for its breed, type and preference, and styling with scissors, using different techniques including scissoring, clipping, hand stripping and thinning, amongst others.

Dog groomers usually work around 35 hours a week, Monday to Saturday, with a day off during the week. Self-employed groomers often work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of their clients. Grooming dogs can take up to two hours for each animal. Dog and other animal groomers mainly work indoors, in a private home, shop, veterinary practice or grooming room.

Salaries may range from around £11,000 a year for young people starting out as dog groomers to around £20,000 or more for very experienced groomers, managers or supervisors.

A dog and animal groomer should:

• be knowledgeable about the care of dogs
• be calm and patient, especially when grooming nervous animals
• be confident in handling any size of animal
• have good hand-to-eye co-ordination and attention to detail
• have a genuine interest in the care and behaviour of animals.

There are job opportunities for animal groomers in pet shops, specialist grooming businesses, show dog kennels and some veterinary practices throughout the UK. Many dog groomers are self-employed, and run their own business.

There are no set qualifications, although some employers prefer applicants with GCSEs grades (A*-C). The Diploma in environmental and land-based studies may also be relevant. Real enthusiasm and interest in working with animals, especially dogs, are very important. There are some trainee positions with qualified dog groomers, but competition is fierce.

Training courses usually last for up to one year and include health and safety, general dog care and specific dog grooming techniques. Trainees working with experienced dog groomers receive on-the-job training. Groomers with some experience can enrol for City & Guilds/NPTC Certificates at Levels 2 and 3 in dog grooming.

There are few promotion prospects in small businesses. In larger ones, dog groomers may be able to progress to senior groomer, supervisor or manager. Many experienced dog groomers start up their own dog grooming business. Some move into lecturing or training in dog grooming.

Further details