Pantops Pet Salon & Spa
Charlottesville's Professional Dog Grooming

Basics:
Country of Origin: United States
Group: Herding
Lifespan: 14-16 years
Height: 20-22 inches
Weight: 40-60 lbs
Color: Red, black, blue and red merle
AKC Rank 2006: 34

The Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is not an Australian breed in actuality but did come to America by way of Australia. It is believed that these dogs originated in the Barque region of Europe in the 1800s. As shepherds, they were used primarily in the rugged areas of Australia and the western United States. Selective breeding has developed a dog known to have “a great deal of stamina [who] is loving, bold, alert, confident, independent, smart, and responsive.”

The Aussies we’ve met certainly have that look of intelligence in their eyes. They tend to be wary of strangers and thus take a few minutes to get to know us before we can go to work. They are double-coated and require thorough brushing at least once a week. We occasionally clip them down to 1/4-1/2 of an inch all over, usually in hot weather and/or for ease of maintenance. Their coat really is gorgeous when it is maintained. We prefer to see them come in for a good brushing and bath every 4-6 weeks so that we can thin out the hair a little at a time.  They often become fussy for prolonged brushing and can occasionally be snappy.

Below, Karma Knaus sports a summer cut. The feathers on her chest, legs and rear are scissored short and blended to the sides.

Basics:
Country of Origin:  Italy
Group:  Toy
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Height:  No standard
Weight:  4-7 lbs
Color:  White
AKC Rank 2006:  18

The Maltese
This is one of our favorite companion dogs.  With proper breeding, they are highly affectionate, well-mannered and adjust well to a family environment.  Due to their petite size and gentle nature, they are perfect for adults and older children but handling by young children (under 10 years) should be monitored.  Minimal exercise is fine for this easy-going dog.

While the breed standard calls for a long coat well to the floor, all of our customers like some scissoring to minimize their brushing and combing and to maintain cleanliness.  The hair on the top of the head, if allowed to grow, is tied up into either one or two top knots (pony tails).  Most of our Maltese owners prefer not to deal with tying up the hair and choose bangs instead.
The most popular cut is our summer cut with bangs.  We scissor the legs, chest, and tail 1.5-2 inches long.  In addition to bangs, muzzles are trimmed to 1.5 inches as well.  We also do a lot of “personality cuts” where the body and legs are clipped all over from 1/4 of an inch to 1 inch all over with bangs and a short beard.

When it comes to grooming, this is a gentle natured dog.  Keep in mind that the longer the coat, the more frequent your combing and brushing should be at home as they can matt up quickly.

Basics:
Country of Origin:  Germany
Group:  Terrier
Lifespan:  12-14 years
Height:  12-14 inches
Weight:  13-15 lbs
Color:  Black-silver-grey
AKC Rank 2006:  10

The Miniature Schnauzer
Adjectives used to describe the Miniature Schnauzer say it all:  engaging, bouncy, spunky, scrappy, playful and alert.  This most popular of the terriers is a great family pet but would definitely demand and deserve a lot of attention.  If you have a nice fenced-in backyard or plan to go on long walks daily, this may be your dog.  But if you want to lead a quiet lifestyle, stay away from the Schnauzer!

Our experience in the shop has been that the Schnauzer typically does not take well to grooming, but can be taught.  They are almost considered non-shedding which is a plus for many owners. But they do have a double coat and their fine undercoat needs weekly brushing.  Neglect of the beard and leg feathering leads to matting in short order.  Due to their propensity toward matting, we are called upon to scissor the beard, chest, and legs more than the typical show standard calls for.  If you are able and willing to brush and comb regularly we can leave the feathering to please.
The Schnauzer haircut calls for the head and ears to be clipped closely to about 1/8 of an inch.  The back and tail are to be clipped to ¼ of an inch and tapered into the sides—higher on the hips and lower on the shoulder.  The hair on the back legs is clipped to the top of the hock.  The beard is combed out and left natural while the eyebrows are scissored long and pointed, legs scissored into cylinders and chest to one inch in length.  While this is the breed standard, keep in mind that most of our Schnauzer customers want the beard and feathering scissored to avoid the hassle of crumbs in the beard and hitchhikers on the feathers.

If you have a schnauzer or are interested in one, understand that they are highly engaging, require weekly grooming at home and training to be able to accept professional grooming (clippers, dryers, bath).

Basics: 

Country of Origin:  Scotland
Group:  Terrier
Lifespan:  14 years
Height:  10 inches
Weight:  14 lbs
Color:  All colors but white,
black tipped ears, tail, muzzle
AKC Rank 2006:  48

The Cairn Terrier
Historically, the Cairn was bred to control vermin, a typical job for members of the small terrier group from Britain.  They are known as “earth dogs” from their work of chasing foxes, badgers, and rats out of their dens in the earth.  What this means for an owner is that, while they can make wonderful family pets, they would do best with older children and a fenced in yard.  Also, don’t be alarmed if they dig in the garden as is their natural inclination.

Early in our marriage, Loretta and I moved to Charlottesville and shifted from a single family home to an apartment.  I was just getting out of the service and before leaving Fort Hood Texas, I gave my German Shepherd to one of my company NCOs.  I wasn’t here long when we decided it was time for another dog—but smaller.  We happened upon Cairn Terrier pups and thought that getting a dog like Toto from “The Wizard of Oz” was great.  Scruffy proved to be lots of fun but did experience some skin allergies which are not unusual in the breed.

Cairns have a coarse primary coat and it is often accompanied by plenty of undercoat which requires brushing and combing once a week.  While it is not necessary to have clipping performed, it is accepted for the back to be cut to about 1/2 an inch in length and tapered to the sides.  The ears are clipped close inside and out.  Thinning shears are used in front of the eyes.  This is what we consider our standard “breed groom.”  Many of our Cairns get their entire body and legs done to 1/2 an inch all over to minimize at-home grooming work.  Tails are left full and lightly scissored.  Since the coat is so coarse and dense, it will matt with neglect.

Below is a Cairn with a 1.5″ puppy cut.

Basics:
Country of Origin:  England
Group:  Toy
Lifespan:  14 years
Height:  No standard
Weight:  15 lbs
Color:  Tan and blue-grey
AKC Ranking 2006:  2

The Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier originated as a typical terrier of England.  It was bred and used as a ratter for the coal mines of Yorkshire.  From this rugged beginning, the use of Yorkies has evolved into that of a companion dog.  Instead of the Terrier group, they are classified as Toys.  Their personality is described by such adjectives as “bright, inquisitive, self-assured, stubborn and at times, aggressive.”  With a description like that, there is no doubt that the Yorkie’s ancestry stems from terrier heritage.  To suit their more recent use as companions, they are being consistently bred to be half their typical 14 lb size and their long satin coats are more beautiful than ever.  Yorkies tend to exercise themselves and are best with attentive adults instead of children.  They rank #2 in the AKC’s count of registered breeds.  I expect that the Yorkies of the future will continue to be smaller and happy in disposition.

The coat of a well-bred Yorkie is floor-length, straight, soft and silky.  It is believed that Maltese were part of the original breeding to give the Yorkie that lovely coat.  But owner beware—this coat requires weekly brushing followed by combing to keep it tangle-free. 

The standard breed groom calls for the top of the ears to be clipped short inside and out.  The edges are scissored to a point.  The hair between the pads and the groin area is also clipped. The coat is to be brushed and combed thoroughly.  Yorkies are bathed with our Best Luxury Shampoo and coat conditioner is optional.  The outside edges of the feet are trimmed to give them a round appearance and the skirt is lightly scissored to remove dead ends and provide a clean line. 

Most of our customers prefer the “summer cut.”  They like the chest and leg feathers to be scissored 1.5 to 2 inches in length.  With less hair comes ease of maintenance and cleanliness. 

We do a number of total body clips that range from 1/2 to 1 inch in length as well.  Most customers prefer the top knot to be scissored into bangs instead of tied up in a ponytail.  We generally scissor the face round when shorter body cuts are asked for.

Since the longer coats will require a lot of brushing at home, getting an early start on grooming is necessary (as with most breeds).  Anytime between 2 and 3 months for a first visit would be great, even if it’s just for a bath and nails.  Follow-up visits for Yorkies should be every 4-6 weeks.

There are a host of factors to be considered when selecting the right dog for you and the amount of grooming required should be high on the list. Want a dog who is energetic, willing to run and happy to catch your frisbies? Sounds like a Lab, Golden, or better yet, a Border Collie. But on the other hand, if you want to minimize the grooming you’d better lean toward the lab. Golden and Border Collie coats will “matt up” with neglect. Think that a short coat like a Lab or Dane will shed less? Guess again or ask any Lab owner–they shed like crazy!

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Basics:
Country of Origin: Everywhere.
Group:  Sometimes toy, sometimes giant,
and everything in between.
Lifespan:  Depends on my gene pool – 8-15 years.
Height and weight:  You’ll find out when I grow up.
Color:  What you see is what you get.

Archived from “The Paw Report:”  Issue #10, April

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The (Miniature) Schnauzer

The Scottish Terrier

The Sheltland Sheepdog

The Shih Tzu

The (English) Springer Spaniel

The West Highland Terrier (Westie)

The Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

The Labrador Retriever

The Maltese

The Newfoundland

The Pekingese

The Pit Bull

The Pomeranian

The Poodle

The Portuguese Water Dog

The Pyrenees

The Australian Shepherd

The Bichon Frise

The Border Collie

The Cairn Terrier

The (American) Cocker Spaniel

The Collie (rough)

The Goldendoodle

The Golden Retriever