Dog Grooming Terms Explained: A Plain-English Glossary for Pet Owners
Walking into a grooming salon or browsing groomer profiles, you'll encounter terms like "hand-stripping," "sanitary trim," and "de-shedding treatment." This glossary breaks down 40+ grooming terms in plain English so you know exactly what you're booking.
Grooming Terms A-Z
- Bath & Brush
- A basic grooming service that includes a shampoo bath, blow-dry, and thorough brushing. Does not include a haircut. Great for short-haired breeds or maintenance between full grooms.
- Blade Work
- Using electric clippers with various blade attachments to trim or shave a dog's coat to a specific length.
- Blending
- Smoothly transitioning between different coat lengths on the body so there are no harsh lines.
- Blow-Out
- Using a high-velocity dryer to remove loose undercoat and dry the dog after a bath. Reduces shedding at home significantly.
- Breed Cut
- A haircut styled to match the breed standard — for example, a Schnauzer cut or Poodle continental clip.
- Carding
- A technique using a special tool to remove dead undercoat from breeds with double coats (like Huskies or Golden Retrievers).
- Clean Face
- Shaving the face close for a neat, tidy look. Common on Poodles and Poodle mixes.
- De-matting
- Carefully working out tangles and mats from the coat. Severe matting may require shaving for the dog's comfort.
- De-shedding
- A treatment that removes loose undercoat through special shampoos, tools, and blow-drying. Reduces shedding at home by up to 80%.
- Double Coat
- A coat type with a soft, insulating undercoat beneath a coarser outer coat. Breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds have double coats.
- Doodle Cut
- A popular style for Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and similar breeds — typically a fluffy, rounded look with scissor work.
- Ear Cleaning
- Cleaning the outer ear canal to remove wax and debris. Included in most full groom packages.
- Ear Plucking
- Removing excess hair from inside the ear canal. Controversial — some vets recommend it for certain breeds, others don't.
- Express Groom
- A quicker version of a full groom with basic trim work. Good for dogs who don't tolerate long grooming sessions.
- Feathering
- The longer hair on a dog's legs, ears, chest, or tail. Often trimmed to a specific length for neatness.
- Fluff Dry
- Blow-drying while brushing simultaneously to create a fluffy, voluminous finish.
- Full Groom
- The complete package: bath, blow-dry, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, and sanitary trim. What most pet owners book.
- Grinding (Dremel)
- Smoothing nails with a rotary tool after clipping. Creates smoother edges and reduces scratching.
- Hand-Stripping
- Manually pulling out dead outer coat hair by hand or with a stripping knife. Used on wire-coated breeds like Terriers to maintain coat texture.
- Kennel Cut
- A short, low-maintenance clip (usually 1/2 inch or shorter all over). Easy to care for between grooms.
- Lion Cut
- Shaving the body short while leaving the head, chest, and tail tip full — creating a "lion's mane" look. Popular for cats and some dog breeds.
- Nail Trim
- Clipping or grinding nails to a safe length. Dogs who walk on pavement may need less frequent trims.
- Pawdicure
- A nail trim plus trimming the hair between the paw pads and around the feet for a tidy look.
- Puppy Cut
- A uniform-length trim all over the body, typically 1-2 inches. Despite the name, it's for dogs of any age. One of the most popular styles.
- Sanitary Trim
- Trimming the hair around private areas, belly, and inner legs for hygiene. Included in most full grooms.
- Scissoring
- Hand-cutting with shears for precision shaping. More time-consuming than clipper work but creates a softer, more refined finish.
- Shave Down
- Clipping the coat very short (close to the skin). Usually done when matting is too severe for de-matting, or by owner preference in hot weather.
- Show Groom
- A breed-standard grooming for dog shows. Highly detailed and follows strict breed specifications.
- Teeth Brushing
- Brushing the dog's teeth with pet-safe toothpaste during the grooming appointment. An optional add-on at most groomers.
- Teddy Bear Cut
- A rounded, plush trim that makes the dog look like a stuffed animal. Very popular for Bichons, Shih Tzus, and Doodles.
- Thinning
- Using thinning shears to reduce bulk and blend coat without changing the overall length.
- Top Knot
- The gathered or styled hair on top of the head, kept long and often tied with a bow or band. Common on Shih Tzus, Yorkies, and Maltese.
- Undercoat Removal
- Removing the dense, soft layer of fur beneath the outer coat. Reduces shedding and helps with temperature regulation.
- Waterless Bath
- A dry shampoo or foam applied without water. Good for quick freshening between full baths or for dogs who can't be submerged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a full groom and a bath & brush?
A full groom includes everything in a bath & brush plus a haircut, sanitary trim, and detailed styling. A bath & brush is washing, drying, and brushing only — no cutting.
What does a sanitary trim include?
A sanitary trim involves trimming the hair around the dog's private areas, belly, and inner thighs for hygiene purposes. It's quick and included in most full grooms.
How often should my dog be groomed?
Most dogs benefit from professional grooming every 4-8 weeks, depending on breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Long-haired and curly-coated breeds may need grooming every 4-6 weeks, while short-haired breeds can go 8-12 weeks between visits.
Is hand-stripping painful for dogs?
When done correctly on appropriate coat types, hand-stripping is not painful. The dead hair releases naturally. It's only used on wire-coated breeds (Terriers, Schnauzers) where the dead coat is ready to come out.
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