Professional grooming tables are available in a wide variety of styles, sizes and prices, but there are basically three types:  stationary, hydraulic and electric. Most professional grooming businesses use a combination of all three. In a professional grooming shop, it is important to have at least one table that lowers and lifts. A table that lifts generally prevents the groomer from having to lift the dog to the table. It also allows the groomer to adjust the table to a comfortable work height based on the size of the dog and the groomer’s height.

Technological advancements have allowed manufacturers to make professional clippers that are smaller, lighter, faster and more powerful. Increased stokes per minute, two-speed, variable speed and turbo-speed options save groomers time and effort, but increased speed and power means more heat, stress and wear on clipper parts.  Regular maintenance is key in maintaining a clipper’s performance and longevity. Regular maintenance will keep blades cutting longer and will lengthen the life of a clipper.  The most common clipper wear part is the blade drive, lever or swing arm.

Shears are probably the most personal tool in the grooming shop. When groomers are asked about their favorite shear, they will most likely talk about how it feels before they mention actual performance. They will talk about it being balanced, light, comfortable or smooth. All of these terms are hard to quantify when creating criteria for selecting shears.  Of course price, functionality, durability and cutting edge are all important considerations, but if it doesn’t feel right, the rest won’t even matter.

Containment is a critical component of the grooming process. Animals must be contained while waiting to be groomed, in between various stages of the grooming process and after grooming. When selecting equipment, it is important to think about the purpose, length and location of containment.    The standard in the grooming shop is the modular cage system or multi-cage unit. They offer economy of dollars and space, while providing professional-grade durability.

The art of grooming is considered by many to be in the scissoring. Scissoring skills will separate an average groomer from a master groomer. If you have ever watched a grooming contest or a show dog being groomed, it is really amazing to see how a master groomer can transform a dog with just a pair of shears.  Of course, most grooming does not take place on the contest stage or the in show ring, but rather in a busy grooming shop. Reality in the grooming shop is that the groomer needs to balance the art of grooming with the business of grooming.