Hi! Let me introduce myself. My name is Scarlett King. I am an Award winning Master Groomer with many dogs featured in advertising, fashion shows and even the Miss Alabama Pageant! I have been involved in the dog show world and the grooming industry for about 40 years. Raised in the grooming industry, I joke that I was “born with a brush in my hand instead of a silver spoon in my mouth”.

I was born into a dog show family and grew up equally involved, quickly following in the successful footsteps of my mother. My main interest at a young age was Afghan Hounds, and under my mom’s guidance I quickly excelled in showing many Multiple Best In Show and Specialty Best In Show winners, including two ranked number one in the breed. As a pre-teen I fell in love with the Lhasa Apso, and this was my first endeavor at having my own dogs and grooming them my way. Lhasa’s were relatively unknown in the early 1970’s and not considered a child’s breed. I kept the coats, showed them and managed to breed and finish a champion. I qualified to compete in Junior Showmanship Competition at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show.

My mother was a dog groomer, and I began helping her with “client” dogs after school. This gave me the opportunity to hone my skills into a very successful career. Thirsting for knowledge, I would seek out other top show fanciers to learn their “secrets for success”. I attended seminars relating to all aspects of the dog world where I learned advanced grooming techniques, training, obedience, structure, and handling. I qualified to become a Certified Master Groomer thru IPG, Inc. As a Certified Master Groomer, I entered grooming contests and won first place in my first competition by grooming a Cocker Spaniel. My next contest I won by grooming a Standard Poodle. I repeated this feat several times before retiring from the demanding groomer’s competitions. With the competitions behind me, I could begin to concentrate on my true calling, grooming and handling. I owned an upscale grooming salon for 17 years.

I have had the pleasure of being owned by several breeds of dogs, from a variety of groups, i.e., herding, hound, non-sporting, toy and terriers, but always gravitated to the breeds with the long demanding coats. As I have grown older, I have given up my beloved Afghans to settle for a less demanding breed, although not a day goes by that I don't think about getting another Afghan Hound.

In 2004 I met a friend in a Master Gardeners class that showed rare breed dogs and I was really introduced to the Coton de Tulear. Yes, I had groomed the Cotons regularly in my grooming salon, but it was not until visiting my friend at her home that I realized what a fantastic breed the Coton de Tulear really was. I knew that I was smitten at that initial visit but I tried to resist the urge to get one for myself. I chose another breed the Russkiy Toy. I loved the size, tenacity, and the lack of grooming commitment drew me to them. Stating at the time, "That I did not want another long coated breed to deal with after having them all my life ", I am now eating those words because the call of the Coton and its ever so sweet nature has enamored me forever.