 History
of Grooming Menu
|
Introduction
A Goldsmith's
Workshop by Alessandro Fei (1543-92)
Scala/Art
Resource, New York. All Rights Reserved inclusive.
Look
closely and you will find two well-groomed pets.
Over 400 years ago pet owners were taking care of their pets.
The
Heritage of Pet Grooming
by Madeline
Bright Ogle
Excerpt Chapter 1, "The Heritage of Pet
Grooming"
Book: From Problems to Profits
Copyright
1989, 1997 Madeline Bright Ogle, All Rights Reserved
Published here with the permission of the author.
Many
reference materials attest to man's fondness of pets, but no books
trace the origins of pet grooming. However, there are occasional
references that shed light on the art of pet grooming. Ferdinand
Mery, authored The Dog (London, 1970). In it, he established that
dogs were first perceived as useful to man as early as 4240 B.C.
Mery mentions unusual religious totems with dogs depicted in their
sculpture. As centuries passed the dog eventually became commonly
accepted as a pet, and is now considered "man's best
friend."
In
past centuries, pets have lived comfortably in the castles of
Kings and Queens. They have served as working dogs in the
marketplace and traveled with entertainment groups. Art from the
fourteenth through eighteenth century depicts small dogs and cats
near the footstools of ladies of the Court. In other paintings
small pets sit with their masters on lounges and chairs. Another
shows a young man standing next to his spaniel. Frequently, the
images depict larger breeds sitting on the floor next to their
masters.
The
Elizabethan era reveals some the earliest historical evidence of
pet grooming activity. While the method of grooming is unclear,
the pets are clean and well-groomed. Perhaps groomers in the
marketplace cleaned them. One such grooming lithograph shows a dog
being sheared while sitting on a lady's lap. Women shearing dogs
is also the subject of etchings.
In
17th century France, the poodle was the official dog at court. The
era of King Louis XV of France reveals the first official records
of dog grooming parlors. Rare books of the 19th century mention
dog grooming in Europe. The Book of the Dog (Vero Shaw, 1879)
refers to the existence of dog grooming in England. Specific
grooming recommendations such as washing, grooming, and coat
conditioning occur in Ashmont's Kennel Secrets, (Boston, 1893).
Pet groomers have a historical record of which they can be proud.
Over
the years, attitudes have been changing toward many animals.
Animals that provided carriage for thousands of years, such as
horses, mules, and camels, are now replaced by advanced
developments in transportation. Many of these animals have
different uses presently and maintain a special relationship with
man. However, none are move beloved as pets than dogs and cats.
And what man loves, he care for and protects.
I hope
you appreciate and admire, our heritage as groomers. You've chosen
a field whose history shows it as both an occupation and an art.
Similarly, the practice of medicine provides a necessary function
for man's existence, yet the practice of medicine is an art.
Unless you know the history of your profession and the revolutions
taking place in your field, you are unlikely to succeed. Too many
of today's pet grooming salons are as outmoded as a horse replaced
by an automobile.
Continued on
next
page.
|
