Based at our fabulous facilities at Suffolk Rural, we can offer a wide range of grooming services for dogs of all shapes and sizes, utilising our purpose-built tech salon. With competitive prices and a top-of-the-range service delivered by our incredibly talented students under the supervision of qualified industry professionals, why not give us a call and book your furry friend in for some personal pooch pampering?
Purpose built teaching salon in Otley, Suffolk
Suffolk Rural’s purpose-built teaching salon is designed to incorporate the very best of the dog grooming industry, but also to ensure the security and comfort of our canine customers. We currently have 14 kennels of varying shapes and sizes to host your furry friend, which are cleaned and sterilised professionally between visitors. Our grooming stations feature top-of-the-line equipment and boast a wide range of products for every specific want or need. From short fur to curly, to paw treatments and sensitive skin, we are ready and able for every furry friend here at countryside paws. Since our opening date, we have successfully groomed around 150 dogs of all shapes and sizes, including new and repeat customers.
Why Countryside paws?
By bringing your dog to the Countryside Paws Dog Grooming Salon you will be helping to support our students in their journey to become professional groomers, under the supervision of our qualified industry professionals.
In return we offer competitive prices and free on-site parking.
We groom by appointment only, to book please contact us on 01473 382749 or click to email. We will not accept walk-ins. Our current appointment times are 9:30 AM with a 12:30 PM pick-up, or 1:30 PM with a 4:30 PM pick-up. Appointments are currently available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but we will be increasing our work days to include Mondays and Fridays during the year.
*All appointment dates and times are subject to change. Please contact us to remain updated when booking.
Meet the team
Karen
I have a background in Administration and Dog Training, wherein I became a Dog Training Instructor in 1999, which was a dream come true. Since then, I have been in the dog grooming industry since 2019, when I was provided with the opportunity to re-train. I started working in a commercial salon as a volunteer bather to gain experience whilst I studied, and this led to part-time employment with them while also setting up my salon. I currently hold the qualifications for City and Guilds Level 3, as well as a Canine First Aid Certificate.
When I am not working, I am with my five Finnish Lapphunds. I fell in love with the breed in the year 2000, but they were particularly rare; and I had a very long wait to welcome my first puppy, who arrived in 2009. We enjoy breed showing and compete at the Championship level. I am also a Kennel Club Judge for Finnish Lapphunds. As the owner of double-coated dogs, there is nothing more satisfying than a de-shed groom!
Tracey
Hi, I’m Tracey. Growing up, I was always surrounded by dogs. My Mum showed Afghan Hounds, so I would help her to get them ready and attend dog shows with her…..I probably knew how to brush a dog’s fur well before I learned how to brush my own! During school holidays & at weekends I worked at a local boarding kennel, this experience along with my absolute love of dogs from a child, confirmed to me that I wanted to have a career working with dogs & dog grooming naturally drew me in.
I trained & qualified as a dog groomer after an intense 1-year full-time course in 1984-85, at the prestigious Bellmead Kennels Training School for Dog Groomers, in Windsor, where I was taught in all aspects of dog grooming including show grooms to pet grooms, hand stripping which is a specialised grooming technique & K9 first aid.
In the 80’s I worked onboard the QE2 as a dog groomer & kennel maid which was an amazing experience. I also worked at Battersea Dogs Home in London as a groomer. I had my own grooming business whilst living in the UK & then after moving to Canada where I lived for 11 years, I started up another successful grooming business.
Whilst in Canada, I met my current dog Mika at a local dog rescue where I did some voluntary grooming…..she was my most precious piece of cargo flying back home to the UK to live.
I have owned many dogs over the years including several rescues of various breeds including Dobermanns & a very cheeky Border Terrier & mixed breeds. I enjoyed taking part in dog sports including agility which is a wonderful & fun activity to do with your dog & also rally-O when I lived in Canada.
If I had to pick a favourite breed to groom, I would possibly consider terriers or golden retrievers & spaniels…..that’s such a hard question for a groomer to answer! I would say my absolute favourite dogs to groom are those who have just come into rescue in a terrible & neglected state, you know you’re going to make them feel so much better & much more comfortable, which is extremely rewarding.
I always say “I’ve got the best job in the world”…..I look forward to grooming your dog.
Natasha
I started my career in two very different jobs, from working with horses to hairdressing and barbering, and it was both of these that led me into the dog grooming industry. I qualified in Norfolk and worked with quite a few dog groomers during my time, but unfortunately, I did not have the best experiences in these settings. They did, however, inspire me to better myself and my work ethic and to teach others entering the grooming industry how to be better. I now live locally and run a small business from home alongside my role at SNC. I am qualified in Level 3 dog grooming and salon management and K9 first aid. I have two dogs, a beagle and a cockapoo, and as such, I am immensely well-versed in dry and wool coats. In the past, I have also owned spaniels and a Weimaraner.
My favourite dog breeds to groom are Terriers, Spaniels, Cockapoos, Golden retrievers, and Cavaliers.
