GREAT WESTIE GROOMING IN TUCSON

Tuffy - Grooming by BBird

Bolt - Grooming by Crystal

Are you looking for a great grooming for your Westie in Tucson, Arizona?  At Transformation Pet Center our terrier groomers have you covered.  Owner/Operator, Barbara Bird, ICMG,  has been specializing in the nuances of terrier grooming for over 40 years.   Also turning out great Westies is Crystal Dunn, a rising star in the grooming industry, who works independently at Transformation Pet Center under mentorship from Barbara Bird.

Short pet trim - Grooming by Crystal

What makes for great Westie grooming?

• Head Style: The iconic round head with pointed ear tips is the key feature of the Westie.  It is also the most difficult for the groomer to achieve.  The hair does not grow in a round shape; mostly, it droops. "The West Highland White Terrier head style eluded me for several years," admits Ms. Bird.  "It was not until I mastered the round head for the Bichon Frise that my Westie heads finally turned out great. One round head empowered the other."

• Short jacket with skirt: Traditionally, the Westie is a hand-stripped breed. Hand stripping creates a tight weather-proof "jacket" for the body.  This is rarely done on pets, and clipping the coat changes the texture to a softer, finer coat that often shows clipper marks.  Great Westie grooming requires advanced clippering skills and taking the time to "card out" some soft coat so as to encourage growth of a firmer jacket.
• Blended furnishings: Whether you want a full skirt or a short,

  

  Full furnishings - grooming by BBird

  more practical style, a great Westie grooming is blended at the line where the clipping leaves off.  The hula skirt look only looks good in Hawaii.
• Carrot tail: No Westie grooming is perfect unless the tail is well done in a carrot shape.  Silly terriers often bend and curl their tails and make it challenging to achieve just the right shape.
• Tight, rounded feet: At Transformation Pet Center, we take pride in getting all the details of terrier grooming just right! Your terrier should appear to be on its toes, ready to chase, leap or dig after critters or prey.  Feet are neither bushy nor pointy.  We get them just right! We want your pet to have the great grooming that a Westie deserves.

Barbara Bird, ICMG, is an internationally renowned groomer who has devoted over 40 years to the art of pet grooming.  She has been serving Tucson pets at Transformation Pet Center since 1977.  She apprenticed under Bill "Scissorhands" North, who instilled in her a deep appreciation of the artistic elements of pet grooming as well as the practical.  At age 75, Barbara is still learning and evolving as a stylist, while sharing her passion with others. Barbara grooms Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and is often booked two weeks in advance.  For an appointment call, 520-971-0401.   

Crystal Dunn has found a home at Transformation Pet Center, where her extraordinary talent and quest for excellence are fully supported and showcased.  Achieving a great Westie grooming requires a work environment that values great results over high volume or numbers.  This lack of pressure translates into less stress for your pet as well as giving the groomer the time necessary to work with a difficult pet (terriers can be difficult!).  Yes, Crystal can work her magic on the reluctant as well as the willing.  She has the patience of a saint, an important quality in achieving great Westie grooming!  Crystal works Thursdays and Sundays at Transformation, and can often book in the same week as you call.  She can be reached at 520-982-5170.  Her website is here.