Banned Breeds

For this post, I put the feelers out, to see if groomers had breeds they specifically banned from their salon. I'm sure a lot of people were expecting the big scary looking dogs, but I think you will be surprised (If you're in the industry, then you probably expect most of these.) Below are a list of breeds that groomers from around the uk have banned from their salon along with their reasons why, or I've guessed why.

I'd love to know non pet professional opinions on these!

• Their own personal dog - aha, I agree with this one. It's one of the reasons why I do not allow owners to stay during the groom. Dogs always act up for their owners. All of mine are absolute nightmares to groom, but are perfect angels for any other groomer. Standard.

• Yorkshire Terriers - A lot of people saying they have never met a nice one, and they are often aggressive. I can agree with this on the terrier side of things, however, all my yorkies have been nice so far (touch wood)

• Shiba Inu - I believe shibas are supposed to be unpredictable and bite with no warning.

• Golden Cockers - I've had some melter gold cockers in my grooming lifetime, but I've heard they have a reputation for being monsters, with one vet online saying this is the only breed they are nervous of.

• Chihuahua - I don't think this needs much explanation, although saying that, again, all the Chihs I've met have been lovely, but I've seen enough memes to know they are the spawn of Satan. At least they are small.

• Border Collies - Another I can sort of agree with, I've met some nasty ones, but most have been lovely and being the owner of collie type dogs, I feel like I can handle them quite well if they did turn nasty.

• Chow Chows - I think I wouldn't have this breed in my salon but I'm undecided. Perhaps if it came in from a puppy. Chow Chows do not give much warning and go for the bite straight away. They are temperamental when away from their owners. Because I'm a lone groomer, and Chows are strong, I don't feel like the environment is safe for them.

• Shar pei - Same as above

• Malinois - These dogs are very loyal and again, can act up when away from their owners. I don't currently have any on my books and undecided on them.

• Caucasian Shepherds - Same as above.

• Cane Corso - I actually thought this was a banned breed in general but I was wrong. I would guess its the same as above again

• Tibetan Mastiff - Same as above.

For these bigger, guard type dogs, I find would generally be turned away from solo groomers rather than bigger salons, and it's totally understandable. The risk isn't worth it, and they are difficult to groom alone anyway.

• Westies - I've met a lot of aggressive Westies and oblivious owners, can agree with this.

• Shih Tzus - I don't agree with this one. They can be sassy and annoying but I've never met one I would ban

• Pugs - Same as above. They scream the house down over nothing, but I wouldn't ban them.

• Jack Russells - It's the terrier thing I think. I wouldn't ban them but again, sassy drama queens.

• Rottweilers - Loyal guard type dogs, that will act different without their owner.

• XL Bully - I can see the thought process behind this. These dogs could take you out in seconds if they wanted to. However, saying that, I have two on my books and they are a groomers dream and I'm obsessed with them.

• Akitas - Alot of groomers will not touch an Akita because they are known to turn so quick and can do a lot of damage. I've one Akita on my books and they are lovely, but I take them on a case by case basis. The younger they start grooming, the better.

Are you surprised? I wasn't, I can see the thought process behind a lot of these.

At the Shack, I wont outright ban a specific breed, but if I feel I can't safely groom the dog, I wont. It's not fair on me or the dog. The groomer and the dog must be a perfect fit, and there is a groomer out there for everyone.

My experience so far while being out on my own, is that all the larger, "scary" type dogs have been sweethearts. I find they are often better trained.

I've been bitten properly once in my career, by a border terrier called Fernando, absolutely was not expecting it. I took a week off work, then took a year off grooming altogether! I got over it though, the whole thing was just handled very badly.

I was also bitten, but the skin not broken, just bruised, by a toy poodle. This was the test to see if my anxiety over being bitten was gone, and it is! (mostly) Now me and Waffle are great friends.

I've sent home a labrador for being EXTREMELY aggressive the minute it walked in the door. Like it was ready to go for my neck.

I also sent home a golden retriever for getting aggressive in the bath and it was too big for me to handle safely. But they were only a puppy, and scared and I feel like with the right work and the right groomer, they will be fine.

I've had a Westie puppy who was properly aggressive from a very young age. Very sad to see in a puppy and I don't believe anything was done about it, training wise. Same with a fox terrier puppy.

It's not fair on bigger dogs like Gorgeous Guv getting a bad rap when they do nothing wrong, while little dogs can scream and cry and bite and get away with it.

I actually saw in the streets, a small dog go for a big dog, and the small dog owner started fighting with the bigger dog owner! Can you imagine if it was the other way around.

I'm rambling now, but I just want people to be aware all all the things groomers go through to get your dog groomed. It's mentally tiring but we love it and wouldn't be at anything else!

If you got this far, thanks for reading!

Leigh-Ann xo