Why Breed Standards Matter To Pet Groomers
To watch the full video, either Login or Explore Membership today!
Breed standards are the guidelines that tell us how a pet should look. Pet grooming professionals know that understanding these standards will yield the best results. This lesson features Colin Taylor, a world renowned professional pet stylist. He’s worked extensively in America and in the United Kingdom. In this session, L2GD’s founder, Melissa Verplank, leads the discussion. These two grooming masters talk about the importance of understanding breed standards. While most pet grooming salons don’t have an opportunity to work on show dogs, it still matters that professional pet groomers learn this material.
Colin and Melissa discuss the core principles that make a “true” pet grooming professional. They talk about how to make the job fresh and exciting. In the end, it all revolves around breed standards.
When Colin thinks about grooming, he thinks in the terms of a blank canvas. Your clippers and shears are your paintbrushes. How do you create a beautiful illusion? Where do you get the knowledge? It all stems from a thorough understanding of the official standards of purebred dogs.
Today, there are countless ways to gather information about pet grooming. Where to you find accurate information? Where do you begin? Who can you trust? Who can you turn to? How do you know what is good information – and what is bad?
Colin and Melissa are always on the lookout for the newest and best information. In this casual discussion, they share their best ways to find great information, allowing you to take your grooming education to the next level.
In this lesson, you will learn:
- what the breed standards don’t tell you.
- how to build confidence.
- how to use the Internet to find solid information.
- he best reference material.
- what you need to do to get your advanced degree in pet grooming.
Colin Taylor
London-born Colin Taylor has a long history of being an international super star in the world of professional pet grooming. Colin is certified by the United Kingdom City and Guild plus a Certified Master Groomer in the Untied States. He is a multiple GroomTeam USA team member. In 2007, Colin was a member of GroomTeam Scotland. In the Untied States, he has won Best Groomed Dog in Show at every major grooming show plus Best All Around Groomer. He’s been awarded Best Scissored Dog in Show award countless times, including one of which was giving by the famed poodle handler KAZ HOSAKA which Colin holds close to his heart. When he was an active competitor, his breed specialties were, Bedlington Terriers, Poodles and Mixed Breed styling. He is honored by the fact he has made the front cover of GROOMER TO GROOMER magazine 5 times.
At the age of 16, he began his grooming career in 1985 at the London Academy of Grooming. Just three months into the course, his instructor, Jill East, entered him in his first grooming contest with a hand stripped Cairn Terrier. To their amazement – Colin won the class! Thus began his long string of successful contest wins and placements over the next 25 years around the globe.
Upon graduation from the London Academy, Colin was offered a two year contract to work at the Hong Kong Doggie House for Mary Ng . He could not turn down this unique opportunity. At the age of 17, he left the UK. In Hong Kong he would learn much about life and even more about the grooming world, including how to scissor - and scissor fast. The two years flew by.
At 19, Mr. Taylor returned back to the UK. He taught at the grooming school where he originally trained. In 1989 the World Grooming Championship contest was held in Windsor UK. He entered the contest. After dazzling the crowd with his grooming talent, Colin went on to meet some of the United States finest groomers – and his next international opportunity unfolded.
At the 1989 World Championship, Colin met well respected business woman, Dina Perry. At the time, she owned Wag n Tails Mobile Grooming and The Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology, located in Lansing, Michigan. Dina put Colin under her wing. The next thing Colin knew, he was on a plane bound for Detroit. With only his scissors and a few Madonna posters packed, Colin did not know quite what to expect. What he did know, he was on his way to another country with his ever present desire to learn.
Colin spent the next eighteen years in the United States. He worked in some of the most prestigious grooming schools and salons across the country. Colin has been featured on TV shows such as The Kelly & Company Show in Detroit and the Paul Mitchell Dog Shampoo program which was filmed in Pittsburgh.
In 2007 Colin returned to the UK to be closer to his family. His focus is assisting and inspiring education in the pet grooming industry. His goal it to be an inspiration to other pet professionals so they can reach goals like he has.
Currently, Colin travels throughout the UK and Europe giving seminars and private clinics. He even has even traveled to India, China and Australia on his speaking schedule. Colin’s personal speaking style is like an open book. He loves to share his knowledge and experience. He holds nothing back. Colin never believes in keeping secrets. His professional advice always puts the dog first. He constantly states, “Never put a dog through pain or suffering just because you think it has to be perfect. The dog’s well-being is more important.” Also, “Practice makes perfect - practicing perfect makes perfect.”
Recently Colin became an author. He just published his first book, “What Would Colin Do?” In the book, Colin doles out his personal advice on 101 different pet grooming topics in a light and entertaining way.
Colin Taylor is a well known all breed industry judge and speaker for grooming contests all over the world. His specialties are breed profile trimming, handling, hand scissoring, professional proficiency, and personal motivation. He loves to see people progress forward no matter what their chosen path is in life.
Quick facts about Colin Taylor
- Author of What Would Colin Do? 101 Situations and Solutions for Every Dog Groomer
- Intergroom International Groomer of the Year 2004
- Multiple-year member of GroomTeam USA
- Winner of the 2006 World Cup Grooming Games at Groom and Kennel Expo in Burbank California
- Countless Best in Show and Best All-round Groomer awards
- 5 times on the cover of Groomer to Groomer
- Best Poodle – Poodle Class at Intergroom
- Winner of the Oster Invitational Tournament of Champions
- Recipient of Scissoring Award presented by famed poodle handler Kaz Hosaka
- Thank-you credit and back-cover endorsement of Melissa Verplank’s Notes from the Grooming Table
- Television appearances include Kelly and Company Show in Detroit and a TV ad for Paul Mitchell dog shampoo
- Runs and manages Master Groom Dog Grooming Contest
- International Judge and Speaker
- Founder of Colin Taylor Academy
Colin Taylor Academy
116 Chamberlayne Road
Kensal Rise, London NW10 3JP
Tel. 020 8964 3231
Mob. 07887 473 422
Basic Shear Control for a Velvet Finish
Control Conversation with Client
Efficient Drying Process