Paws Post March 2025

Welcome to our second Paws Post of 2025! The first quarter of the year has flown past and we are looking forward to some warmer weather. We've been very busy here at Paws Perfect and things are officially in full swing! We have lots to update you on - including our annual visit to Crufts and an official date for our 2025 Washathon!

Crufts 2025

A pair of Old English Sheepdogs posing by the Crufts sign

The Pastoral Group won by Shake the Australian Shepherd

Best in Show winner Miuccia the Whippet and reserve Best in Show Viking the Tibetan Mastiff

A grooming showcase by Fiona Brook

We had the pleasure of visiting Crufts 2025 for our annual trip to see Best in Show (and of course do a bit of shopping!). This year alongside Best in Show we got to see the Working and Pastoral groups which were won by Viking the Alaskan Malamute and Shake the Australian Shepherd.

We also had the pleasure of watching the Flyball Championships and Agility finals. Both of which were full of excitement! As well as some of the obedience and the police demonstrations!

Of course we also spent some time around the grooming stands, buying new products for the salon and checking out a couple of grooming demonstrations, including a great demonstration of a poodle cut by a member of the UKs Groom Team!

If you want to see more of our day check out this video we posted: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1633030647317910

Breed Focus: German Shepherd Dog

After our visit to Crufts 2025 we got to see some beautiful breeds and which has inspired us to include a new Breed Focus in Paws Perfect throughout 2025! This time we will be focusing on the German Shepherd Dog! A member of the Pastoral category, these beautiful loyal dogs were originally bred to herd cattle and protect the herd/flock. These days its rarer to see them herding and instead they are a favoured breed of the police and army. Due to their intelligence and trainability they also make excellent service dogs, tracking dogs and for use in competitive obedience.

The evolution and appearance of the German Shepherd has been one of great controversy over the years, with may colours/coat types developed but not accepted in the breed standard. It was only a few years ago that their native country accepted the longer haired version!

BREED STANDARD INFO:

SIZE: Large (65-90lbs male / 50-70lbs female)

Exercise Needs: High - More than 2 hours per day

Traits: Loyal but can be aloof with strangers, highly intelligent and trainable, energetic and watchful.

COAT TYPE: Medium/Long Hair - Double coated, High shedding

Lifespan: 10-12 years

GOOD FOR FIRST TIME DOG OWNERS? Not recommended due to high levels of intelligence and energy levels.

GROOMING NEEDS:: Medium - Brushing at least once a week in longer coats to prevent matting and shift the dense undercoat. Professional grooming dependant on shedding and owners requirements (recommended at least every 12 weeks for longer coats)

ACCEPTED COLOURS

The following colours are those accepted for showing by the British Kennel Club.

• Bi-Colour

• Black

• Black & Gold

• Black & Tan

• Dark Sable

• Gold Sable

• Grey

• Grey Sable

• Sable

OTHER COLOURS:

The following colours are not currently accepted for showing by the British Kennel Club

• White

• Blue

• Blue & Gold

• Blue & Tan

• Blue Sable

• Isabella

• Isabella & Tan

• Liver

• Liver & Tan

• Liver Sable

Ensure Your Dog Has a Happy and Safe Easter Too!

Easter is just around the corner, and whilst we are enjoying a fabulous time its important to remember to keep our pooches safe so here are some things that its best to keep out of the way of our four legged friends:

• Chocolate - toxic when ingested

• Hot Cross Buns - contain raisins which are toxic when ingested

• Certain Spring Bulbs - Bluebells, Daffodils, Hyacinth, Iris, Lilies and Tulips are all toxic when ingested.

If you suspect your dog has eaten something they shouldn't have its best to get them to an emergency vet ASAP. If you aren't sure if something is poisonous or not you can ring the poison control line their information is located here: www.animalpoisonline.co.uk but please be aware there is a charge for this service.

Grooming Focus: The Best Brushing Technique to Avoid Matting/Knots

This year we've decided to add a new feature to our Paws Post addition - a grooming focus. This will be an educational segment on a different aspect of Dog Grooming! If you have anything you'd like to know more about just pop a comment below!

For this quarters Grooming Focus we are going to discuss the best brushing technique for dogs with long coats (i.e Poodles, Cockapoos, German Shepherds, Collies, etc) to ensure they do not become matted or knotty between grooms.

The amount of brushing you dog will need will vary depending on their coat type and thickness. Typically we would recommend dogs with wool coats such as poodles, cockapoos and other poodle mixes to be brushed at least every few days to ensure their coats remain knot/matt free. Other breeds and coat types such as German Shepherds, Collies and Huskys may require less brushing but it is recommended to brush them at least every few weeks to ensure their coats remain free from matts/knots and also to help with the shedding process.

YOU WILL NEED:

Step one:

Its best to start from the back end and lowest point of the dog and work towards the front, this means you wont miss any important parts! As displayed for Loki this would be from his patella/knee area, for other dogs with fluffier feet (such as cockapoos) this might mean starting at the foot.

A lot of dogs aren't particularly keen on having their feet/legs brushed. Some times placing them on a towel up higher will mimic the grooming environment and make them more comfortable. You can also offer them a lick-mat with something tasty spread on it to reward them and keep them occupied.

Step Two:

Separate and lift a portion of the coat so that you can visibly see the skin and brush the piece below where you have lifted. Its important that you can see the skin and brush from that point. Many people simply run the brush along the top of the coat without lifting, this means you are only getting about 10% of the coat and aren't addressing the knots where they are most likely to form matting.

*If you are using a conditioning spray you can apply a light mist to each section as you move along the dogs body.

Step three

Slowly move your hand up the dogs body letting hair out and brushing as you go. If you notice your dog has any matting at this point that will not brush out please do not attempt to cut these out with scissors yourself. You can alert your dog groomer to them at your next appointment and we can safely remove any matting for you.

Work your way across all of your dogs body, from nose to tail. Don't forget to pay close attention to areas that are prone to becoming knotty such as the tail, legs and ears.

Step Four: To check you have removed all the knots from your dogs coat you will need to take your metal comb, angle it slightly to ensure you are getting to the skin and not just brushing the top of the coat and run it through the coat. If you meet any knots, do not use the comb to remove them as this will be uncomfortable for your dog. You can instead take the brush and attempt to brush these knots out, if you are not able to brush them out its best to contact us or let us know at your next appointment so they can be removed safely.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES: Charity Dog Washathon 2025

Last August we ran our first every Charity Dog Washathon. We raised nearly £600 for Forest Dog Rescue and this year we plan to do the same but better! We have booked the date so we hope you will all join us on Sunday 6th of July from 10am - 3pm for a fun filled day of fresh smelling dogs, interesting talks, food and stalls!

We will be looking for stall holders, crafters and people to get involved on the day so if you'd be interested in holding a stall, helping out or giving a talk please get in touch and we will get you booked in! We are just asking for a donation to Forest Dog Rescue on the day in return (minimum £5). Last year we had great attendance with local businesses getting involved on the day to give free canine massage assessments, dog training advise and more and of course we bathed lots of doggies at discounted rates!

We hope you will all be able to be there to help us beat our donation from last year! Below we've also included some photos from last years Washathon!

Let us know if you are going away for Easter!

This the Easter Holidays fast approaching we know you'll probably be busier than ever, let us know in advance if you'd like to move your appointment either to or outside of those dates! You can contact us via text/phone, email or via our website! We just ask that you give us as much notice as possible.