How to trim, groom and show your dog
Saunders
1963
I think Blanche looks like my grandmother from her portrait in the 1940’s. (I love her name - how long since you heard of someone named Blanche?) I like dogs, but my experience extends to episodes of the Dog Whisperer. Dog books, especially on care and training, are probably the most popular of all the nonfiction topics in our library. Everyone checks these books out, from kids to adults. This particular copy had not been checked out in 3 years, and for a dog book that is just way too low. However, I will defer to dog people out there if Blanche is indeed the gold standard. This poor book just looks doggone awful too! (I know, that was too easy!)
Mary
16 responses so far ↓
jamisings // September 21, 2009 at 10:55 am |
The directions might be the same, but there’s better clippers and such since the 60s. It might be nice for that reality show Groomer Has It for ideas, but not for practical use.
adnoxious // September 21, 2009 at 1:27 pm |
I like how it is co-authored by other “authorities.” Sounds like the dog grooming police.
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rmm // September 21, 2009 at 1:47 pm |
Blanche has the calm, beneficent look of an expert dog handler.
I can’t quite make out the graphics in the bottom left corner, though. Are those dogs undergoing acupuncture?
Bryan Irrera // September 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm |
…one wonders if she also wrote a cat grooming book, but the publishers may have balked at the title…
marykelly48 // September 21, 2009 at 8:51 pm |
Millions of jokes are now in my brain…!
Kate B // September 21, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
You’re right that dog books are the most steadily popular non-fiction books in the library. What’s really telling isn’t that it hasn’t gone out in three years, but that it wasn’t worn out long ago.
WeedingGirl // September 21, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
There are actually new breeds now that didn’t exist in 1963, like puggles and schneagles (I kid you not). You need a dog show book that addresses standards for all of the currently popular breeds, like those ridiculously tiny pocket pet things that women carry in their tote bags.
Tobias // September 22, 2009 at 1:24 am |
The problem is that most of the newer designer breeds aren’t actually recognised by reputable dog registries. If you can’t register your dog with an organisation then you can’t really show it, at least not beyond the local county fair.
Woofless // September 27, 2009 at 2:55 pm |
Yeah, the so-called “designer dogs” are just first or second-generation mixed breeds. Nothing new about ‘em…they are cute & sweet, but they are just garden-variety “mutts”…the same lovable pets that have graced dog pounds for the last 100 years. The only thing new is the fancy names (and ridiculous price tags). None of these designer dogs have breed clubs; there is no organized breeding effort to standardize breed type, and there is currently no effort to seek recognition with the AKC or any other reputable registry.
That being said- breed trends and styles in the show ring HAVE changed since the 60’s….which includes the most common/preferred grooming style in coated breeds. Poodle clip trends have changed, Afghan Hound & Setter coats are longer and silkier, etc. Grooming products have gotten better, new products on the market, etc. Still, this book would be a good historical reference for someone seriously seeking a career as a professional groomer or dog show handler. Probably something that is better suited in a personal library than a public one, nevertheless.
librarianchat // September 21, 2009 at 3:13 pm |
Has much changed in cutting your dog’s hair since 1963?
jamisings // September 22, 2009 at 1:16 am |
Like WG mentioned, there’s new breeds out there that didn’t exist. Plus the tools have changed somewhat.
Like I said, it’s a good book for inspiration for a groomer and fine in a personal collection. Not in a library.
I think it should be weeded – and seriously, send it to the producers of Groomer Has It.
Mel // September 21, 2009 at 4:29 pm |
This makes me make a note to look at the older Poodle grooming book we have on the shelf…
MoxieHart // September 21, 2009 at 11:33 pm |
My favorite Blanche is Blanche Devereaux from The Golden Girls.
mojo repair shop // September 24, 2009 at 1:17 am |
Which one’s Blanche?
MoxieHart // September 25, 2009 at 12:01 am |
The one who has lots of sex.
Bryce // November 1, 2009 at 12:57 am |
Weed it if you like, but only on the grounds that is old, likely to be falling apart, a bitch to read because of it’s condition and the like. But can someone learn how to groom from this volume? Yes. If the techniques described involve the use of electric clippers, yes. Groomers will not be seeing perfect dogs, or show dogs. They will mainly see family pets, and no matter the breed standards, each customer will have a list of impossible requests for their pet–The ears get in the water dish, I want that hair cut short, but don’t make it look different. The legs always get matted and dirty, because I won’t brush Fido. Can you cut that short, but make it look long. So on and so forth. And besides, since this is about showing dogs, I’ll say the info is not subject to being outdated, since dog shows have always been about breed standards, and those have not changed. The judges are looking for the same things today as they were 75 years ago. The culture on the show circuit has changed, but I’m sure the dog is not affected by that.