Glossary of 80+ Dog Grooming Terminology

Welcome to the Dog Grooming Terminology glossary. This comprehensive reference guide is designed to clarify and explain the specific language and terminology used in the world of professional dog grooming. Whether you're an experienced groomer seeking to brush up on industry lingo, a pet owner curious about what your groomer is actually doing, or a newcomer to the field, this glossary is meant to provide you with a clear understanding of the key terms and phrases used in dog grooming.

Term	Definition
All Over Trim (AOT)	A grooming technique where the entire coat of the dog is trimmed to a uniform length, typically using clippers or shears.
Anal Gland Expression	The process of manually emptying the anal glands of a dog to relieve discomfort or prevent impaction. This is typically done by applying gentle pressure to the glands located on either side of the dog's anus.
Apron	A protective garment worn by groomers to shield their clothing from water, hair, and other debris during the grooming process.
Asian Fusion	A grooming style that combines elements of traditional Asian grooming techniques with contemporary styling, resulting in a unique and artistic appearance.
Bather/Brusher	An individual responsible for bathing and brushing dogs as part of the grooming process, preparing them for further grooming procedures. A Bather/Brusher usually works with a pet Stylist to improve efficiencies of their grooming processes.
Beard	The longer hair growth on the lower jaw and chin area of certain breeds, such as Schnauzers or Terriers.
Beveled Feet	A grooming technique where the hair around a dog's feet is trimmed at an angle to create a neater and more defined appearance.
Blade	A detachable cutting implement used in clippers to trim the dog's coat to a desired length. Blades come in different sizes, each resulting in a different hair length.
Bloom	The healthy and vibrant appearance of a dog's coat, characterized by a shiny and lustrous sheen.
Blow Out	The process of thoroughly drying a dog's coat using high-velocity dryers to remove excess moisture and minimize drying time.
Blowing Coat	The natural shedding process in which a dog's old or damaged hair is replaced by new growth. This often occurs seasonally or in response to hormonal changes.
Bobbed Tail	A tail that has been shortened or docked, either for breed standard purposes or as a personal preference.
Cage Dryer	A drying device used in grooming salons that provides controlled air circulation to dry a dog's coat while they are contained in a cage or crate.
Canine Esthetician	A professional, usually a groomer, who specializes in the science and proper care of healthy skin and coat.
Carding	The process of removing dead or loose hair from a dog's undercoat using a specialized tool called a carding knife or stripping knife.
Carrot Tail	A term used to describe a tail that tapers to a point, resembling the shape of a carrot.
Clean Face	A grooming style where the hair around a dog's face, including the muzzle and eyes, is trimmed neatly to enhance the dog's facial features and visibility.
Clean Feet	A grooming technique where the hair on a dog's paws and between the footpads is trimmed short for hygiene and cleanliness.
Clipper	A handheld electric device used by groomers to cut or trim a dog's coat efficiently. Clippers come with different blade attachments for achieving desired hair lengths.
Clipper Burn	Irritation or injury to a dog's skin caused by excessive heat generated by clippers during the grooming process. It can result from improper technique or using dull blades.
Coarse Coat	A type of hair texture characterized by thickness, roughness, and resistance to matting. Certain breeds have naturally coarse coats.
Cocker Cut	Refers to a specific style of haircut typically given to Cocker Spaniels, a breed of dogs. The cut keeps the hair long and flowing on the body, with shorter hair on the back and sides, and very short hair on the head and ears. This grooming style is designed to highlight the breed's unique features and natural beauty.
Coloring	The process of applying temporary or permanent dyes to a dog's coat for decorative or artistic purposes.
Conditioning	The application of products, such as conditioners or detanglers, to a dog's coat to improve its texture, manageability, and overall health. Even healthy coats can benefit from a conditioner to improve hydration and to nourish the skin.
Corded Coat	A type of coat in certain breeds, like the Puli or Komondor, where the hair naturally forms long, cylindrical cords rather than individual strands.
Corrective Grooming	Grooming techniques employed to address specific issues or challenges with a dog's coat, structure, or overall appearance, aiming to achieve a more desirable result.
Creative Grooming	A form of artistic grooming where the dog's coat is creatively styled and dyed to create unique and eye-catching designs or patterns.
Curly Coat	A coat texture characterized by tight curls or waves, often found in breeds like Poodles or Bichon Frises.
Dandruff	Flaky, dry skin that sheds from a dog's coat, often caused by various skin conditions, allergies, or poor grooming practices.
Dematting	The process of removing mats and tangles from a dog's coat using specialized tools and techniques to prevent discomfort and maintain coat health.
Dog Groomer/Stylist	A professional who provides grooming services to dogs, including bathing, brushing, trimming, and styling their coats, as well as maintaining their overall hygiene.
Dog Grooming	The process of maintaining a dog's cleanliness, appearance, and overall well-being through various grooming techniques, including bathing, brushing, trimming, and styling.
Double Coat	A type of coat found in many breeds (including Siberian Husky, Shetland Sheepdog, and Alaskan Malamute), consisting of a dense, insulating undercoat beneath a longer, protective topcoat.
Dry Bathing	A grooming method that involves using dry shampoo or powder to clean a dog's coat without water, suitable for dogs who are not fond of wet baths or when water access is limited.
Face Feet & Fanny Trim (FFF)	A grooming technique where the hair around a dog's face, paws, and rear end is trimmed to create a clean and tidy appearance.
Feathers	Long, silky hair growth on certain breeds, such as Setters or Spaniels, typically found on the ears, legs, tail, or chest.
Flag Tail	Typical of a Golden Retriever or Setters, this tail resembles a flag after being shaped with shears and or thinning shears.
Flat Dry	The technique of drying a dog's coat using a high-velocity dryer while the hair is smoothed down against the body, resulting in a sleek and polished look.
Flea Bath	A bathing procedure using specialized shampoos or products designed to kill and remove fleas from a dog's coat.
Flea Dip	A grooming procedure where a dog is immersed or treated with a chemical solution, typically containing insecticides, to eliminate fleas and ticks.
Fluff Dry	The process of using a dryer to blow air into a dog's coat while simultaneously fluffing the hair to create volume and fullness.
Forced Air Dryer	A type of dryer used in grooming salons that produces a powerful stream of warm air to dry a dog's coat quickly and thoroughly.
Frill/Ruff	An area of longer hair growth, often found on the neck or chest of certain breeds, which creates a decorative and elegant appearance.
Furnishings	The longer hair growth on a dog's face, including the mustache, eyebrows, and beard, often seen in breeds like Schnauzers or Terriers.
Glossy Coat	A coat that appears shiny, smooth, and healthy, indicating proper grooming, nutrition, and overall well-being of the dog.
Groomer's Lung	A respiratory condition that can develop in professional groomers due to prolonged exposure to grooming salon environments, including hair, dander, and chemicals.
Hand Stripping/Plucking	A grooming technique that involves manually removing the dead outer layer or topcoat using specialized tools. This allows for new, healthy coat to grow in. Commonly used on certain terrier breeds.
High Velocity Dryer	A powerful dryer that emits a strong stream of warm air at high speed, commonly used to dry a dog's coat efficiently and remove loose hair.
Kennel Cut	A simple, short haircut given to dogs, often done for practical purposes or to keep the dog's coat low-maintenance and comfortable.
Lamb Cut	A grooming style that is trimmed shorter around the body while leaving more length on the legs.
Lion Cut	A specific grooming style for certain cat breeds, such as Persians or Maine Coons, where the body is shaved close while leaving hair on the head, neck, and legs, resembling a lion's mane. The Portuguese Water Dog and Lowchen are clipped in the style as the Breed Standard.
Master Groomer	An experienced and highly skilled professional groomer who has achieved a recognized level of expertise through training, certification, and competition. Master Groomer Certification is offered through organizations such as the NDGAA.
Mucking	The process of removing dead hair on a dogs topcoat, similar to carding.
Nail Clip	The act of trimming a dog's nails using specialized clippers to maintain a safe and appropriate nail length.
Nail Grind	The process of filing or grinding a dog's nails using a rotary tool to smooth and shape the nails after trimming.
Pants	The longer hair growth on the hind legs and rump area of certain breeds. Also referred to as Breeches of Trousers.
Pin Brush	A type of grooming brush with long, flexible bristles or pins, used to remove tangles, debris, and loose hair from a dog's coat.
Pom Poms	Small, round balls of hair that are left uncut on specific areas of a dog’s coat for decorative purposes, commonly seen in Poodles. These were originally meant to keep the joints and vital organs warm when retrieving from cold water.
Poodle Cut	A grooming style specific to Poodles, which involves shaping and styling the coat to meet breed standards, including specific patterns and lengths on different body parts.
Puppy Cut	A grooming style where a dog’s coat is trimmed an even length all over with a longer snap on comb or hand scissored making it easier to maintain and giving the dog a youthful appearance.
Quick	The sensitive, blood-rich tissue within a dog's nail, trimming which may cause bleeding and discomfort. It is essential to avoid cutting into the quick when trimming a dog's nails.
Rake	A grooming tool with long, widely spaced teeth used to remove dead hair and undercoat from a dog's coat, particularly in breeds with dense or double coats.
Round Feet	A grooming technique where the hair around a dog's feet is trimmed in a rounded shape, giving the paws a neat and rounded appearance.
Sanitary Trim	The grooming practice of trimming the hair around a dog's genitals and anus for hygiene and cleanliness purposes.
Schnauzer Cut	A specific grooming style for Schnauzers, where the coat is hand-stripped or clipped to achieve a distinctive look, including a bushy beard and eyebrows.
Scissoring	The skillful technique of trimming a dog's coat using grooming shears to achieve precise shaping, blending, and finishing touches.
Shear	A specialized tool used in dog grooming, typically with two sharp blades held together by a pivot, used for cutting or shaping a dog's coat.
Shedding	The natural process in which a dog's coat releases dead or damaged hair to make way for new growth. Shedding can vary in intensity depending on the breed and season.
Single Coat	A type of coat found in some breeds where there is no distinct undercoat, consisting of only one layer of hair.
Skirt	The longer hair growth around the abdomen and sides of certain breeds, such as Schnauzers or Scottish Terriers.
Slicker Brush	A grooming brush with fine, short wires close together, used to remove tangles, mats, and loose hair from a dog's coat.
Stacking	The process of arranging and positioning a dog's legs and body in a specific posture to showcase its conformation and structure in dog shows or competitions.
Stripping Knife	A specialized grooming tool with a serrated edge, used for hand-stripping or plucking the dead or coarse hairs from a dog's coat.
Teddy Bear Face	A grooming style where a dog's facial hair is shaped and trimmed to resemble a teddy bear's face, often characterized by a rounded and fluffy appearance.
Thinning	A grooming technique that involves using thinning shears to selectively remove bulk and blend the hair, creating a more natural and textured look.
Tight Feet	A grooming technique where the hair around a dog's feet is trimmed closely to create a clean and neat appearance.
Tipped Ears	The practice of shaping a dog's ears by trimming the hair at the tips to create a rounded or pointed look, enhancing the breed's aesthetic qualities.
Top Coat	The outermost layer of a dog's coat, providing protection against the elements and contributing to the coat's overall appearance and texture.
Topknot (TK)	A gathering and securing of the longer hair on the top of a dog's head, often styled with bows or accessories.
Undercoat	The dense, insulating layer of short, fluffy hairs that grows beneath the topcoat in breeds with double coats, providing warmth and protection.
Whiskers	The long, tactile hairs found on a dog's muzzle, chin, and sometimes eyebrows, serving sensory functions such as detecting movement and providing spatial awareness.
Wire Coat	A coat texture characterized by coarse, stiff, and wiry hairs that stand off the body, often seen in breeds like Schnauzers or Terriers.

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