Violetta – professional dog groomer in Zuidhorn (Groningen)
As you may have guessed: I am Violetta. I come from Ukraine and have been living in the Netherlands for several years now, a country I have come to appreciate. And to be honest: I’ve lived quite a long time and have done quite a few different things along the way.
My very first profession was hand-painting ceramics. After that, things went in all directions. I worked as a fashion designer, fitness instructor, artist, tailor, graphic designer, copywriter, and even a restorer of antique furniture. Somewhere in the middle of that creative chaos, I ran my own fairly successful restaurant and played keyboards in a rock band. Whatever I did, it always involved creativity. Apparently, that’s just part of my system.
Despite that busy and full life, one wish kept coming back: working with animals. I pushed it aside, thinking there was plenty of time. Until one day I decided that if I really wanted to be happy, I had to stop running around and finally do what had been in my head for all those years.
I took a fast-track grooming course in Poland (practical, affordable, and most importantly, straight to work) and started grooming dogs. At the same time, I volunteered a lot at animal shelters, where I cared for and groomed dogs. That period helped me enormously in developing my skills even before I officially became a professional dog groomer. It gave me a lot of experience with all kinds of dogs: scared, traumatized, cheerful, stubborn, loud, or very shy.
My approach is simple: every dog is a creative project. They all have their own shape, character, history, and vibe. My job is to see that and bring it out calmly, without stress and without pressure. I don’t rush, and I don’t force anything. Dogs feel that, and that is exactly why they trust me.
I love all dogs: big, small, mixed breeds, rascals, stubborn ones, gentle ones, or quirky ones. There is a suitable way to groom every dog, as long as you do it with attention and honesty.
Welcome to my dog grooming salon in beautiful Zuidhorn, in the province of Groningen.
I communicate most easily via messages because my Dutch (and English) in phone conversations isn't perfect yet. Sending a message works best.
I donate 10% of each treatment to the shelter for abandoned and injured animals affected by the war in Ukraine. ❤️
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Why not wash too often?
Why you shouldn't wash a dog often
Many people think that washing a dog more often means it gets cleaner. In reality, it works differently. A dog's skin functions completely differently from a human's, and washing too often causes more problems than it solves.
1. The natural protective layer gets damaged
A dog's skin produces sebum: a thin protective layer that keeps the skin calm and repels dirt. Washing too often removes this layer, causing the skin to dry out faster, become irritated, and produce extra sebum.
2. The pH of dog skin is much more sensitive
Even mild dog shampoo can affect the skin barrier with regular use. This leads to itching, flakes, redness, and sensitive skin. Many owners mistake this for allergies.
3. Wet hair = more tangles
For dogs with undercoats or long fur, wet hair causes tangles to tighten, form faster, and become more painful. Fur should always be detangled first before washing.
4. A dog doesn't need to smell fresh
A slight dog scent is normal and healthy. Strong odors are usually caused by skin irritation or excess sebum—often precisely because of over-washing.
5. How often is healthy?
In most cases, once every 4–6 months is enough. Extra washing only if really dirty or on veterinary advice.
Key Message
A dog stays healthy through good coat care, regular brushing, and trimming—not through frequent washing.
Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions
General Information
The information on this website is intended to clearly explain my services as a dog groomer. I work exclusively by appointment and assess each dog individually based on coat condition, behavior, and character. No rights can be derived from the texts on this website, and they do not constitute legal or medical advice.
Cancellation Policy
Appointments can be cancelled or rescheduled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. In case of late cancellation or no-show, a fee may be charged to compensate for the reserved time. Please contact me as soon as possible if your appointment cannot take place.
Health & Safety of the Dog
The owner is obliged to inform me in advance about relevant medical problems, allergies, medication, skin problems, previous surgeries, joint problems, and particular behavior (e.g., fear, aggression, or extreme stress). I reserve the right to refuse or interrupt a treatment if the dog is sick, has severe parasites, or reacts too aggressively to be groomed safely.
Coat Condition, Prices and Extra Costs
All prices on the website are estimates. The final price depends on the condition of the coat, undercoat, tangles or matting, and the dog's behavior during treatment. For heavily matted fur, extreme tangles, or extra time, a surcharge may be calculated, always in consultation with the owner.
Liability
I always work as carefully and respectfully as possible with every dog. However, I cannot accept full liability for unexpected reactions, existing but unreported health problems, hidden skin or coat problems, stress reactions, or injuries caused by a dog moving suddenly. The owner remains responsible for timely and fully providing all relevant information about the dog.
Privacy / GDPR
This website does not use tracking cookies and does not store personal data. Contact with me takes place exclusively via WhatsApp, telephone, or e-mail, on the initiative of the dog owner. The information you share with me is used exclusively to make appointments and to groom your dog as well and safely as possible.