Grooming Your Dog: Basic Haircuts

For those dog owners brave enough to face the slings and arrows of sharply-bared orthodontia, this tape demonstrates the key elements of several conventional haircuts, including the spaniel, traditional puppy, poodle, terrier, and utility cuts. Beginning with a discussion of the various blades, scissors, and brushes required, our competent groomer shows us how to bathe a puppy, pluck ear-hair, cut toenails, handle a geriatric animal, and trim eyebrows, whiskers, and foot-pads. Though the production covers a lot of ground, with good camera angles (no small task, considering how awkward some of the shots must have been) and a nice emphasis on the importance of maintaining the "look" of various breeds, some critical details go unmentioned. For instance, we are encouraged to buy "good" scissors, but are not told what distinguishes them from "bad" scissors, nor what constitutes "good quality shampoo" (is that a people shampoo or a pet shampoo?), nor how to handle Paco or Fifi if he or she just refuses to cooperate. Finally, the production values are, in general, a bit crude, especially the sound, which includes off-camera voices. Still, despite the oversights, I can give this tape a medium-ish recommendation for those libraries lacking similar fare. Aud: P. (K. Glaser)