EDUCATIONYour Career in Dog Grooming

Pet Industry Federation

DOG GROOMINGAS A CAREERDog grooming is a growing industry, withmore and more dog owners taking advantageof the services provided by grooming salons.There are around 7,000 grooming salons inthe UK, the majority of which are individualpremises, although increasing numbers arepart of other pet-related establishments such aspet shops, garden centres and boardingestablishments. There are also mobile doggroomers who travel to clients’ homes togroom dogs.

3

Working as a dog groomerEach breed of dog has different requirements,and there are many types of coat which allrequire specialist skills and techniques in theirpreparation. Grooming work involves bathing,shampooing, drying and clipping, trimmingand brushing a variety of long and short-haired dogs. Dog groomers should bemanually dexterous with good hand-to-eye co-ordination and an eye for detail. An artisticflair is an advantage. Along with thesestandard services offered as part of the groom,there are also special procedures whichinclude nail clipping and ear care.

A love of animals is essential for a doggroomer, along with patience and a firm butgentle way of handling the dogs. Goodcustomer care is a large part of the job, andpleasant, courteous manners combined with aneat and tidy appearance are very important.

Job opportunities vary from area to area, andthe hours of work and pay are negotiable, butnormally include weekend work (usuallySaturday).

Training and qualificationsThere are three main routes to qualify as a doggroomer: either through a fee-paying course ata training centre, such as the Pet IndustryFederation’s accredited training centres, or afurther education college; or by learning theskills on-the-job alongside an experiencedqualified groomer. You should ensure that yourtraining will be delivered by tutors who arequalified and hold the City & Guilds DogGrooming Certificate 7750 or the City & Guilds7763-03 Professional Diploma for Dog Stylists.Ideally, they should also have achieved twounits or more of the British Dog Groomers’Association Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming.

4

DOG GROOMINGQUALIFICATIONS

City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog GroomingAssistants (7763-02)This qualification is aimed at people new to theindustry and can be achieved as a standalonequalification for students or for staff wishing togain an accredited certificate, or as aprogression route for students thinking ofachieving the City & Guilds Level 3 Certificateand Diploma. The qualification consists ofpractical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Students have up to two years to complete thequalification from registration.

City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming (7763-03) This qualification is aimed at people who havebeen dog grooming for some time. To achieve ityou’ll need to pass a two-part writtenexamination and a practical element which testsyour clipping skills. Gaining the introductorycertificate will provide you with the first part ofthe Level 3 qualification and, as such, is not thefull qualification.

The full City & Guilds Level 3 doggrooming qualification is made upof a separate Certificate and aDiploma. Candidates can choose tojust take the Introductory Certificate,or to carry on and work towardsthe full Diploma:

Further details about the Level 3 City & Guilds dog grooming

qualification are on pages 6 and 7.

City & Guilds Level 3

5

British Dog Groomers’ AssociationHigher Diploma in Dog Grooming This is an advanced test to show the expertise andskill required from the experienced groomerworking in a commercial environment. A goodworking knowledge of the Kennel Club breedstandards, styles and trimming techniques arerequired to pass all components. This examinationconsists of two written papers and seven practicalmodules.

City & Guilds Licentiateship Students can apply to City & Guilds for theLicentiateship award once two units of the BDGAHigher Diploma have been achieved. Holders ofthe Licentiateship are invited to a cap and gowngraduation ceremony in London and can use theletters LCGI after their name.

British Dog Groomers’ AssociationGuild of Master Groomers Students who complete all the units of the HigherDiploma can apply to the BDGA for membershipof the Guild of Master Groomers.

City & Guilds Level 3 Diplomafor Professional Dog Stylists(7763-03)This qualification builds on the skills andknowledge gained with the IntroductoryCertificate. In order to achieve the full Diplomayou will need to have completed theIntroductory Certificate. The Diplomademonstrates your ability to trim and style arange of dogs using various techniques,including handstripping.

The full Level 3 Diploma is an industry-recognised qualification and proves to futureemployers that you have been trained correctlyto a professional level. At the same time it alsogives your customers confidence that you arecompetent to groom their pets.

Students have up to three years to complete theentire City & Guilds 7763 dog groomingqualification from registration.

Details of the qualification contentcan be downloaded from City & Guilds website:www.cityandguilds.com

Beyond the Level 3Diploma, there are anumber of furtherqualifications available to dog groomers: in Dog Grooming

6

Candidates can apply for their LCGI once they have achieved two units from the eight groupsCandidates can apply for membership of the Guild of Master Groomers once they have achievedall eight groups

CITY & GUILDS 7763-03 IN DOG GROOMING

This qualification comprises three parts: A, B and C

• Introductory Certificate - A and B only

• Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists - A, B and C

BRITISH DOG GROOMERS’ ASSOCIATION - HIGHER DIPLOMA IN DOG GROOMINGThis qualification comprises eight groups:

CANDIDATES HAVE THREE YEARSFROM THE DATE OF REGISTRATION

TO COMPLETE THE WHOLEQUALIFICATION (A, B & C)

PART AConsists of five units of centre-based assessment (taken as partof your course):

1) Carry out styling and finishingdogs

2) Assess and plan doggrooming work

3) Promote and maintain thehealth and well-being of dogs

4) Health-check a dog 5) Move dogs between locations

GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3 GROUP 4

Scissoring into styleand shape

Scissoring andclipping into style

and shape

Clipping &scissoring a long legged

terrier/Schnauzer(Group 1)

Clipping &scissoring a long legged

terrier/Schnauzer(Group 2)

DOG GROOMING CAREER PATHWAY

7

PART CConsists of one centre-derived unit and three externally assessed practicalunits**:

1) Handstrip a dog e.g. BorderTerrier (centre derived)

2) Style and trim a spaniel’s coat3) Style and trim a

short-legged terrier4) Either:

a) Style and trim a Poodle’s coatb) Style and trim a

long legged terrier or Miniature Schnauzer coat

** Please note that candidates arerequired to pay a separate fee to take theexternally assessed practical examinations

PART BTwo 1hr short answer writtenexaminations taken in either Juneor November*

This is taken from units 2 & 3 ofthe handbook and is normallyarranged through the Pet IndustryFederation at the end of yourcourse. Registration for the examneeds to be completed at least sixweeks prior to the examinationdate.

*Please note that candidates may berequired to pay a separate fee to sitthese examinations. Please check withyour training centre.

GROUP 5 GROUP 6 GROUP 7 GROUP 8

Handstripping awire coat (Group 1)

Handstripping awire coat (Group 2)

Handstripping agundog

Two written papers(taken in either Juneor November)

a) SalonManagement

b) Grooming

1

Pet Industry Federation - EducationBedford Business Centre

170 Mile RoadBedford

MK42 9TWTel: 01234 273933Fax: 01234 273550

Email: education@petfederation.co.ukwww.petfederation.co.uk

Premier Accredited Training Centres HHHH

Our Premier accredited training centres have thePet Industry Federation seal of approval to delivertraining and to assess: the Level 2 Certificate forDog Grooming Assistants, the Level 3Introductory Certificate in Dog Grooming; and todeliver training for the Level 3 Diploma forProfessional Dog Stylists, the Higher Diploma andbreed specific styling. All course leaders hold theBDGA Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming and ateaching certificate.

Standard Plus AccreditedTraining Centres HHH

Our Standard Plus accredited training centreshave the Pet Industry Federation seal of approvalto deliver training and to assess: the Level 2Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants, theLevel 3 Introductory Certificate in Dog Grooming;and to deliver training for the Level 3 Diploma forProfessional Dog Stylists. All course leaders areCity & Guilds Advanced or Level 3 Diplomaqualified, have at least two units of the BDGAHigher Diploma and hold a teaching certificate.

Standard Accredited TrainingCentres HH

Our Standard accredited training centres havethe Pet Industry Federation seal of approval todeliver and assess training leading to the Level 2Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants ONLYand to deliver training for the Level 3 Diploma forProfessional Dog Stylists. All course leaders areCity & Guilds Advanced or Level 3 Diplomaqualified, and hold a teaching certificate.

Accredited Training CentreAssessors:• Must successfully complete annual

standardisation to the satisfaction of the City & Guilds External Verifier.

• Must be occupationally competent.

• Must hold or be working towards an assessorqualification eg D33 A units or TAQA

• Must have successfully attended a one-dayPet Industry Federation assessor training day

ACCREDITED GROOMING TRAINING CENTRESThe Pet Industry Federation has a number of accredited training centres that haveundertaken to conform to the terms of the Federation’s training centres’ charter. The proprietors and/or tutors of the centres have the necessary experience andqualifications to teach the courses offered.

For details of your nearest accredited training centre visit: www.petfederation.co.uk