Taking the Plunge! Need Grooming Table Size Recommendations...

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

With 2 doodles I've finally decided its time to start doing my own grooming. For years I've given baths and dried with a high velocity dryer, as well as trimmed up the face, bottoms and paws, so  it seems only natural that I take it to the next level. The biggest reason is cost. With 2 doodles we spend over $130 every 6 weeks. The 2nd reason is I'd get the groom I want rather than being disappointed, or at the very least, I'd have only myself to blame if I were unhappy. I found an online doodle clipping video that I'm comfortable with trying to duplicate and I've researched the necessary grooming tools/equipment and feel fairly confident with my choices. My only questionable choice is a grooming table size. My doods are both 50+lbs. (they're both sleeping now so I can't take a total length measurement on them, but I know they both have a 24" neck-to-tail measurement). So, my question is, would a 36" long table be adequate? That's the size I'm considering, but I'd hate to order it only to find it too small for the doodles. Does that size sound right?

 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Sounds like an ideal set up. I know I would love a raised tub for bathing! Maybe some day...

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I just wanted to take a moment to give a quick review of the XPower 3HP high velocity dryer. I received it yesterday and just now plugged it in to give it a 'test drive'. No doodles to dry today, but I was curious how loud (and how powerful) it would be. First, let me tell you is QUIET compared to my Metro Quick Draw 1.3HP. Amazingly so! How anyone could say it is loud is beyond me. Even at it's highest setting it was much quieter than the Quick Draw. It seems to have a pretty powerful air stream too, but I haven't done any drying with it so I can't really give a good review yet in that department. It seems well made and came with 4 attachment nozzles, 2 of which I will be using. The other 2 I'm not sure would be something I'd use. One looks like a round grooming tool, that may be better suited to straight short haired dogs, but I may try it with the vacuum feature on the final fluff out... we'll see. The other appears to be a vacuum tool. It also came with additional foam filters, which will be nice to switch out while one is being cleaned (with water and air dried). Its pretty compact too, and I like that the electrical cord wraps around the top handle for storage. So far I'm very happy with the purchase. The real test will be drying the doodles. I am probably one of those rare individuals that actually likes the velvet blow-out look on a doodle. I have never been able to achieve that look with my Metro, because its not powerful enough to completely dry the coat (even a little moisture left in a curly coat will spring back to a curl, even if the coat appears straight after blow drying). I plan to give both my doodles a complete groom (including cut) in a couple weeks (I'm still waiting for the clippers to arrive!). I'll post before and after pics, even if I'm not happy with my novice work. For now though, I'm pleased with the dryer.

EDIT: I just tried both the Metro Quick Draw and the XPower dryers side-by-side and the XPower seems to be at least twice as powerful as the Metro. Makes sense since one is 1.3HP and the other is 3HP. I like it! Oh, and did I say the XPower is SOO much quieter???

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

One other observation of the XPower 3HP dryer: The hose is made of a plastic-like material and isn't nearly as flexible as the Metro's rubber hose. That's the one (and only) thing I wish were different.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I posted these pics last weekend in the general forum and in the Grooming group regarding my first attempt at Lucy's first full groom, including clipper cut. You may have seen them already.

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Based on your recommendation, I bought the XPower 3HP dryer and finally got to use is on Saturday after the doods had a dirty day at the Malibu Doodle Romp and then and even dirtier romp on the beach afterwards.  Wow!  I LOVE that dryer!!!!  The motor is so much quieter than my hand held Conair blowdryer which was hard to believe given the horse power.  And the doods fluffed up so nicely without that overly poofed look they get at the groomers.  They tolerated it way better than I thought they would.  I didn't get my table out, so my boyfriend held them in his lap while I dried them, and it went pretty quick.  I should have timed it.  

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Glad you like it. After having used it on my dogs the last couple weeks I kind of wish I'd spent the extra money on the XPower 4 HP. I'm not saying I don't like the 3HP, only that the extra boost of one HP might have made drying the dogs even faster and more thorough. I agree with you though, that it is EXTREMELY quiet even at the highest setting. Just a note.... don't forget to clean the outer foam filter each and every time you use the dryer (just pop in the extra one and clean the used one, with water, for next time).

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

It's hard to imagine needing more power. I only took it to about 60% the way it was!  Maybe next time I'll go higher.  And thanks for the tip on filter cleaning.  Must admit that I didn't think about it.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

What can I say? I like POWER and SPEED... lol!

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Thanks for writing about this I will definitely get one now. My grooming table arrived yesterday and I already used it for after the doodle swimming pool party at Bev and Willys place. . I love it and was shipping it was only $105 from Amazon

[Kary, Sparty & Stella]

Gwyndolyn, what table did you get? I want to order one this week and I'm scare to death to pull the trigger, not know for sure which tables are best.

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I'm at a restaurant right now. ill look it up when I get home

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Wow!  It is no longer listed anywhere on Amazon.  It was Pingkay Grooming table.  You can google around for it, but I'm shocked that I can't find it any more.  But here is one that looks virtually identical and for about the same price with a slightly different basket.  (Mine was less, but with shipping charges it was a couple of dollars more than this one: 

http://www.wayfair.com/Go-Pet-Club-Heavy-Duty-Stainless-Steel-Dog-G...

or at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Go-Pet-Club-Stainless-Grooming/dp/B00DX4NVII/...

And here is a larger one (mine is 36") with EXACTLY the same design and basket as mine.  Weird!  I even did a close up and it has the same non-skid pattern on the top.  Interesting!  If you need a bigger one, go for it!  I love mine!

http://www.amazon.com/EXACME-Fortable-Portable-Grooming-Storage/dp/...

And her is mine with Kona on it (Kona is a large mini double doodle....24 pounds)