Portuguese Water Dog in a Working Retriever Trim (Part 3 of 4-Part Series: Working the Shoulder Layback, Front Legs, Feet and Tail)
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Judy Hudson travels the world demonstrating grooming skills to pet professionals. One of her strongest qualities is she’s an everyday pet groomer. When she is not in front of an audience or a video camera, she grooms everyday dogs just like you.
Judy is working on a young Portuguese Water Dog that has not filled out, yet. Her coat is soft and flyaway. The breed standard calls for a dog that is “solidly built” with a “muscular body” and a “profuse coat.” Judy addresses these issues as she trims the dog. This PWD is also going through a coat change from puppy coat to its adult coat. Judy talks about the unique challenges this coat transition presents to pet parents and the groomer.
Judy walks you step-by-step as she puts this PWD into a “pet” Working Retriever trim. She uses different guard combs to set the length of the coat on the body and the legs. To finish the trim, she reaches for her chunkers to blend the coat for a natural look.
The entire time she’s working, Judy is talking about the breed standard, structure, areas to pay close attention to, and tricks to make the grooming go more quickly.
This dog had quite the attitude coming into this session. Nothing terrible, but she was testing her limits with Judy. You can see Judy being firm but gentle as she corrects these behaviors. By the end of the lesson, this young dog has settled in and become well-behaved and cooperative on the grooming table.
In this lesson, you will learn:
- how to use a guard comb to set in bone structure.
- why the transition from puppy coat to adult coat is so problematic.
- how to quickly set in the feet to set up columned legs.
- techniques to get a “squirrely” dog to settle down into a well-behaved dog on the grooming table.
- how to visualize the correct head shape for a Working Retriever trim.
Judy Hudson
Judy Hudson has been a life-long animal lover. She holds an associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Morehead State University. While working in a veterinarian clinic offering grooming, she quickly realized, the groomer was making way more money than she was – and having a lot more fun! She opted to start grooming instead of following her degree.
Judy started her grooming career on a shoestring and a prayer in 1990.
When the groomer where she worked walked out – Judy didn’t miss a beat. She stepped in and started grooming. Shortly after that, she discovered a local couple who were business owners and award-winning pet stylists. She began taking lessons from them which lead her to competitions and meeting other award-winning pet stylists.
In 1994 she started her own mobile grooming unit in an 18-foot used motor home. Today, she owns and operates a very polished and successful mobile business in the Nashville TN area, staying booked a year in advance.
She decided that if she was going to be a groomer, she wanted to be one of the best!
Within a few years, she realized learning about bred profile was a game changer while dipping her toe in the AKC conformation show ring. Being a quick learner, she finished her own Miniature Poodle to his Championship in short order. Next, she focused on becoming a certified master groomer. In 1998 Judy earned her National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) status through the National Dog Groomer Association of America. Currently Judy is a speaker, educator and Certifier for that organization.
Judy is an awarding winning pet stylist. She has multiple Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer awards to her credit. She was a part of the GroomTeam USA’s Top 10 for 3 years; 2000, 2001, and 2003. In 2004 she earned a slot be on the elite GroomTeam USA’s Travel Team, representing the USA in World Team Competition in France the following year. She proudly earned a Gold Medal with her American Cocker Spaniel, helping the USA capture the Silver Team Medal.
In 2002, she was awarded the coveted Sybil Trophy for having the most harmonious relationship with her dogs. In 2004, she was nominated for the prestigious Cardinal Crystal American Groomer of the Year Award. 2011 was Awarded the Cardinal Crystal Grooming Contest Judge of the Year.
Judy is a sought-after and very popular industry speaker, demonstrator and contest grooming judge. She has traveled all over the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia and China.
Judy has teamed up with one of her long-time mentors and person friend, Christina Pawlosky to form The Grooming Professors, an online and personal training platform. They also host clinics, demonstrations, workshops and personal coaching at grooming shows and privately across the country. Plus, they offer individual training via Zoom by request. Together they have released their own shear line. In 2017 The Grooming Professors were the winners of the Barkleigh Honors Awards for Contribution of the Year and Vlog of the Year in 2017 and 2018.
Judy is a licensed Pet Tech® Instructor. She teaches small classes to pet owners and pet service professionals. She enjoys making a difference in pets’ lives by teaching the necessary emergency care and health information for dogs and cats.
When Judy is not working within the realms her grooming businesses, she is a Level V Skin Care Consultant with Rodan+Fields.
Judy and Chris can be reached at [email protected]
www.groomingprofessors.com
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