This review is so long overdue it's not even funny. I cannot tell you how many places I have called…read morebetween Buffalo and Cleveland looking for a groomer that does hand stripping. (If your dog has a wire coat, i.e. many terriers, you are not supposed to cut it because it ruins the coat's protective qualities by making it soft.) I thought I had found a place in Cleveland but I'm pretty sure that they just cut his fur. The first time I went to Kennel Club Grooming, the girl there said to me that she could certainly strip Stout for me but that since he was a puppy still, and since stripping is a form of bonding, it was much better for her to show me how to do it so that I could use it as a way of establishing a pack-bond with Stout. Really? You are going to show me how to do what I was going to pay you to do so that I don't have to pay you to do it? That's certainly a customer friendly business model! Now that Stout is a little older, I don't mind taking him in once in a while to have him cleaned up a bit since stripping is a time consuming process.
Most recently, after 5 hours of work myself, I brought Stout in for a nail trim and to get the sensitive area that you don't strip shaved (i.e. belly). Stout is super shy around people but did okay going into the building and standing next to the counter. Then the owner, "Uncle" Henry, just scooped Stout right up before Stout had a chance to decide to be afraid in a way that is exactly what you need to do with Stout to make him feel comfortable even if he doesn't think he wants to. Every time I go into KCG I'm always so impressed at how Henry and his staff interact with Stout. It's incredibly clear the Henry is knowledgeable about a variety of breeds and the personalities and quirks of those breeds. It wasn't a busy day so when I picked Stout up we had a great talk about some of Stout's personality quirks about me trying to get used to the terrier personality (vs. the four toy poodles I grew up with).
Overall, I can't say enough nice things about KCG. Two notes of warning: (1) in the past I've always had prompt return phone calls but this time it took 2-3 weeks of me calling before I got someone - I'm pretty sure my voicemail message just slipped through the cracks. No big deal, it happens. My point is just that this place is awesome, so if for some odd reason you don't hear back, definitely call again. Also, try to call when they're open: Wed-Saturday 8AM until they finish for that day. (2) The shop is on Chandler Street off of Military and when you first turn onto the street you're kind of like, ok, where are all the businesses? KCG has a big sign perpendicular to the building and there are signs for the Antique Shop next to them. The big double doors are for the Antique Shop; the single door to the right is for KCG. There's lots of parking.
In conclusion, the shop is clean, the owner is awesome, the prices are reasonable, the grooming is high quality, and, if you're looking for a great place to bring your dog, the answer is Kennel Club Grooming. Stout is picky, especially if you are cutting his nails, but even he is happy to go see his Uncle Henry!