THE Groomsport owners of an Old English sheepdog received a shock when they went to collect their dog from what they thought would be a routine grooming.
Ten month-old Juno hadn’t received the trim that Kate Whiteman had expected – she had been completely shaved, right down to her skin, and was virtually unrecognisable from the dog that went into the groomers.
Kate knew Juno needed to be groomed, and wouldn’t have minded if her coat had been trimmed ‘a bit shorter’ but the results have left Kate angry and critical of the Pets at Home store in Bangor. “I feel that they had no idea what to do with an Old English sheepdog,” said Kate. “Juno was booked in for three hours but it was completed in just two. “They are not trained to deal with this sort of grooming and should have never taken her on.
When we picked her up, we were in utter shock. “The girl who did it was very pleasant and rang to update on how Juno was after her groom, although she didn’t mention the full shave and had just said it was shorter and you could see her eyes. I don’t want her personally penalised, it’s clearly a training issue.”
Kate rang to complain the next day and was told an investigation would be launched but was later contacted to be told the groomer had conducted a ‘welfare cut’. “I know Juno had matting around the collar and a few down her legs but you just chop them out. I’ve been shown how to brush her and I brush her daily with the correct brushes, explained Kate. “There was absolutely no need to shave the dog and it’s wildly offensive to say the dog needed a welfare shave.
We love our dog and she has a great life and is well looked after. “Their excuse of a welfare cut also contradicts what other groomers have said as there’s health implications that we should have been informed about when doing such a drastic shave. “Other groomers have said this should not have been done as it’s so stressful for the dog. It’s only something you’d do if it was totally necessary,” she added.
Kate says Juno is slowly getting used to her new furless condition, although she was very nervous and overly alert on walks and cold in the initial days. “She appears pretty traumatised. She also has burst blood vessels at the end of her ears from shaking her head,” she said. “I’ve been told to walk her on a lead until she’s used to the wind. She’s covered in a rash, she’s cold and has been wearing a coat around the house.”
A spokeswoman for the Pets at Home store in Bangor said when Juno was brought in the dog’s coat was badly matted. “Mrs Whiteman had phoned us prior to the appointment and had said she was struggling brushing the dog to prevent her becoming matted,” said the spokeswoman. “It was explained that if the coat was very badly matted, she would have to be given a shorter cut and possibly a shave. “It was explained going shorter would benefit the dog and owners, with maintenance. When the dog came in for the appointment the dog’s hair appeared very matted around the chest and neck.” Pets at Home website has the following information: The new-look Juno after being completely shaved at Pets at Home. about grooming: “We will endeavour to groom your pet to your requirements, however if your pet’s coat is excessively matted, the matted coat will be clipped (shaved) out.”
