Pooch Perfect Champion Kelly Davis

Somerset-based Kelly Davis has won the coveted Golden Stanley and been named by Pooch Perfect as the UK’s top dog groomer.

After eight episodes, the BBC1 Television Series concluded its competition Thursday night, March 4th, to select Kelly. Big congratulations to Kelly and, likewise, to runners-up Georgia Fuller and Lakhi Thindal.

Each of the finalists was accompanied at the final by their spouse or, in Lakhi’s case, his ‘dog mother’ Angela Caley.

With husband Shane having shared a kiss with Kelly in congratulations, Kelly said:

“Winning Pooch Perfect feels surreal and so incredible. To be able to inspire others in the industry and show that your dreams can become a reality feels amazing.

I put my heart and soul into every challenge and I was so happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone and I still managed to showcase my years of grooming skills and knowledge.”

Indeed, congratulations to all contestants and the team behind Pooch Perfect. The family-friendly TV series took 16 contestants through a range of grooming challenges that included conventional breed standard trims as well as creative work including spirals and colouring, even some fancy dress.

The popular prime-time TV series was hosted by stage and screen personality Sheridan Smith, along with co-host Battersea rescue dog Stanley. The show’s judges Colin Taylor and Verity Hardcastle set the challenges and selected the candidates each week to proceed to the next level of the knock out competition.

To be sure, the program has raised awareness of the benefit of regular grooming to a dog’s health, wellbeing and welfare. Frequently the judges shared their knowledge of breed-appropriate styling, the challenges a groomer must confront in the salon, the expertise required to achieve a particular finish, and more. 

Likewise, the resident ‘vet on set’ Bolu Eso contributed with observations about dog skin and coat conditions and the benefits of having a trained professional get hands-on with your dog regularly. Many dogs will see the groomer a lot more than they have to see the vet. So the groomer is arguably the front-line in preventative health care for your dog. They have the training, knowledge and experience to identify a lump or bump or any fiddly thing about your dog that may need a vet’s attention.

The competition was therefore an ideal showcase of a much misunderstood or under-appreciated world in pet care. Plus, it was fun. There were plenty of light comic moments throughout. And the faces of the dog owners after their pet’s transformation was often a hoot. The competition itself was good-natured with all the contestants, bar none, being ever so gracious as their peers advanced to the next round, and grateful for the chance to participate.

The show will be missed - and you can bet there are plenty of dog enthusiasts and pet groomers alike sending emails to the BBC to help ensure a second series.