Groomers win trio of national titles

A Shropshire dog hotel and daycare specialist has proven it’s a cut above the rest after securing three major national awards.

K9 Anytime, who look after the region’s much-loved canine friends in Higford, saw staff member Abbie Mackintosh win Best in Show and First Place in the one to two years’ experience category at the prestigious English Groomers Competition.

She was joined on the winners’ podium by colleague Megan Crook, who was awarded with the two to five years’ experience title after impressing judges with the way she has mastered the art of grooming.

Both groomers are part of the company’s grooming business that ensures more than 200 dogs look their best every month.

“English Groomers Group covers a community of 17,000 national and international groomers, so is one of the biggest and most respected organisations in our field. To win two awards, including the main accolade, has blown my mind,” said Abbie, who has only been at K9 Anytime for 18 months.

“Fred the cockapoo was the perfect model and is one of our regulars. Judges said my finish was what caught their eye, the smooth lines, and a well-balanced body, with some saying they were particularly impressed by my technical expertise considering I was one of the least experienced there.

“K9 Anytime has been a fantastic place for me to perfect my skills, surrounded by experts in their field who are incredible mentors, teaching me technical elements and, importantly, how to make dogs feel comfortable.”

Established in 2017, K9 Anytime is a day care and hotel provider, supporting more than 1000 dogs and their families over the course of a year.

The company, the brainchild of university graduates and friends Tom Haynes and Luke Bird, has won numerous plaudits for the way it provides a ‘home away from home’ and its ability to help with socialising and training.

Grooming was added to the offer during lockdown to help keyworkers and their pets and the growth has been significant, with five groomers now employed to care for up to 200 dogs every month.

More than £30,000 has been invested in providing a doggy spa facility with ‘walk-in’ marble baths, soft flow shower heads and exclusive use of industry-leading products from the makers of internationally-renowned hairdressing products. 

The K9 Anytime grooming team is now setting its sights on taking their skills to the international stage with national and world competitions planned for later this year and into 2025.

K9 Anytime Grooming is currently recruiting for a full-time groomer to join their growing team. For more information and to apply, contact info@k9anytime.com 

Pictured: K9 Grooming winners: from left, Abbie Mackintosh and Fred with Megan Crook and Lily