Business Details
18 Years
experience
Professional Dog Grooming in Kidderminster
Paws for Elegance, established in 2008, is a professional dog grooming salon based in Kidderminster. Our founder, Steph Dingley, has dedicated her career to canine care since the age of 16, initially working in kennels to understand breed-specific temperaments before specialising in grooming. Steph holds prestigious qualifications including City & Guilds Level 3 Professional Dog Grooming and a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management with triple Distinctions. Her expertise has been recognised through competition achievements, including third place at Mastergroom 2024 with a scissored bichon frise. We prioritise natural products and holistic care, offering services such as health checks, blueberry facials, and stress-free drying techniques using 'Happy Hoodies'.Our salon adheres to strict cancellation policies to respect clients' time and maintains transparency in all operations. Steph regularly attends industry seminars to stay updated on breed standards and educates fellow groomers through workshops. Our commitment to excellence ensures every dog receives tailored grooming that enhances their comfort and appearance. We combine technical skill with compassionate care, serving both pet owners and the wider canine community through educational initiatives and high-quality service delivery.
Services
Dog Grooming
Health Checks
Bathing Services
Drying Techniques
Coat Styling
Nail Trimming
Ear Cleaning
Natural Skincare
Competition Prep
Pet Seminars
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We use only all-natural products with no chemicals for safer grooming
- Our groomer holds City & Guilds Level 3 Professional Dog Grooming certification
- Steph achieved third place at Mastergroom 2024 with scissored bichon frise
- We conduct thorough health checks before every grooming session
- Stress-free drying techniques using 'Happy Hoodies' and cabinet dryers available
Associations and certifications
- City & Guilds Level 3 - Dog Grooming
- BTEC National Diploma Animal Management
Services
Dog Grooming
Our breed-specific dog grooming combines technical precision with animal welfare. Each session begins with a health check to identify lumps, knots or skin issues. We use natural shampoos tailored to coat types, followed by blueberry facials for deep cleansing. Grooming includes scissor work, nail trimming, and ear plucking, with styling discussed and agreed upon beforehand. Stress-reduction techniques ensure comfort throughout the process.
Health Checks
Pre-grooming health assessments are conducted on all dogs. We examine skin condition, check for lumps or bumps, and assess coat health to determine appropriate grooming techniques. This ensures safety during sessions and allows early detection of potential health issues. Our qualified groomers are trained to identify abnormalities requiring veterinary attention, maintaining client communication throughout the process.
Natural Skincare
We exclusively use natural, chemical-free products for all skincare treatments. Our blueberry facial provides antioxidant benefits while cleansing, and shampoo selections are based on individual coat requirements. This approach minimises allergic reactions and maintains skin health. Post-bath drying techniques prioritise comfort, using warm air circulation for sensitive or elderly dogs to prevent stress and physical strain.
Competition Prep
Specialist preparation for show dogs includes precise breed-standard styling and scissor work. Steph's competition experience ensures championship-level presentation, with attention to detail in coat texture and conformation. We maintain current knowledge of breed standards through continuous education, providing grooming that meets judging criteria while prioritising the dog's comfort and well-being during preparation.
Pet Seminars
Steph conducts educational workshops for fellow groomers at pet events. These sessions share advanced techniques in scissor work, breed-specific styling, and stress-reduction methods. The seminars focus on practical skill development and staying updated with evolving breed standards. Participants benefit from Steph's extensive competition experience and City & Guilds-certified expertise in professional dog grooming.
People
Steph Dingley
Owner & Lead Groomer
Qualified dog groomer with City & Guilds Level 3 certification and BTEC Animal Management Diploma. Specialises in breed-specific styling, competition grooming, and natural skincare. Holds Distinction in Higher Diploma Module 1 and educates fellow groomers through seminars.
Questions
What grooming services do you offer for dogs?
We provide full grooming including health checks, bathing with natural products, blueberry facials, scissor work, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and breed-specific styling tailored to owner preferences.
Do you use chemical-free products?
Yes, we exclusively use all-natural, chemical-free shampoos and skincare products to ensure safety and minimise allergic reactions for all dogs.
How do you handle nervous or elderly dogs?
We employ stress-reduction techniques using 'Happy Hoodies' and offer cabinet drying for elderly dogs. Our groomers are trained to handle anxious pets with patience and gentle methods.
What qualifications does your groomer hold?
Our lead groomer Steph Dingley holds City & Guilds Level 3 Professional Dog Grooming certification, BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management with triple Distinctions, and Higher Diploma Module 1 with Distinction.
What happens during a health check?
Pre-grooming checks include examining skin condition, checking for lumps/bumps, and assessing coat health. This ensures safe grooming practices and allows early detection of potential health concerns requiring veterinary attention.
Do you offer competition grooming preparation?
Yes, we specialise in championship-level grooming with precise breed-standard styling. Steph's third-place win at Mastergroom 2024 demonstrates our expertise in preparing show dogs to competition standards.
