When I had a grooming business a lot of owners only brought the dog in once a year to get shaved down. Of course the dog was matted to the eyeballs but they didn't notice.
They also had a stroke when I said it would be a extra charge because the mats were much harder to cut through, dulled the clipper blades etc.
Plus I was always finding things after the dog was shaved - found two little plastic Xmas trims in the matting. Several times found dogs with rubber bands around the neck, one was in such sad shape, I told owner to take to the vet right away. The rubber band had cut so deeply into the neck, that in some spots skin had ground over the band.
Her reaction- asked her son if he did that, then smacked him soundly. I never saw her again, wonder if she ever got vet care for the poor dog.
Other dogs were so matted - called "felting" that I could basically trim it off in one continuous piece like a sheepskin., to show the owner. After that was off, then I'd often find fleas or ticks, or skin disease. Of course some owners wouldn't believe that and thought it was a ploy to get more $$ from them.
I should mention I had the shop during the incredible POODLE Boom. Everybody seemed to have one. Their coats could grow like wildfire in a year. I can't tell you how happy I was when I stopped grooming and just did show Cockers (my breed) and other breeders would send their buyers to me.
They also had a stroke when I said it would be a extra charge because the mats were much harder to cut through, dulled the clipper blades etc.
Plus I was always finding things after the dog was shaved - found two little plastic Xmas trims in the matting. Several times found dogs with rubber bands around the neck, one was in such sad shape, I told owner to take to the vet right away. The rubber band had cut so deeply into the neck, that in some spots skin had ground over the band.
Her reaction- asked her son if he did that, then smacked him soundly. I never saw her again, wonder if she ever got vet care for the poor dog.
Other dogs were so matted - called "felting" that I could basically trim it off in one continuous piece like a sheepskin., to show the owner. After that was off, then I'd often find fleas or ticks, or skin disease. Of course some owners wouldn't believe that and thought it was a ploy to get more $$ from them.
I should mention I had the shop during the incredible POODLE Boom. Everybody seemed to have one. Their coats could grow like wildfire in a year. I can't tell you how happy I was when I stopped grooming and just did show Cockers (my breed) and other breeders would send their buyers to me.
My other dog is easy-care. Short hair, dark colour (so if he rolls in the dirt, you can't see it like you can with a white dog), he looks perfect all the time (except when he smears poo on his neck...ewwww)
No Welsummer eggs yet, but a couple of those gals have really big wattles and combs. None squatting yet 
