About us
Where it began
I have been thinking how to describe myself to the best of my ability. Me being me over thinking it and wanting it to be perfect, so I guess the best thing to do is to start from the beginning….
I have always had dogs and a great love for all animals. My first dog was a Welsh Springer Spaniel called Shiba. We spent a lot of my childhood getting up to mischief. I currently have a Welsh Terrier called Siani that I hand-strip and will be looking to add another dog to the family next year. I have also always loved horses and compete regularly in showing, show jumping and cross country events. I am also a regular runner and a proud member of Clwb Rhedeg a Seiclo Sarn Helen. I have the honour of being the club captain in 2024.
I’m a person that’s had over 20 years of retail sales experience and have been in many managerial roles. But the love of animals always gave me the dream of one day working with them. After years of wondering what I could do with regards to working with animals, I decided that Dog grooming was the best option for me. After all I groomed my own dogs, clipped and groomed my own horses and also helped out with grooming my family and friends dogs.
So I went into a friends salon in Llanelli to ask if I could go in to watch and see if it really was what I wanted to do. After talking with the salon owner, it confirmed it to me that this was the path I wanted to go down. So I spent the next few weeks looking into different training courses and training schools. I visited different schools and after having a lengthy chat and taster day with Eve of Abbfabb Grooming Acadamey in Callington, Cornwall, I decided that was where I wanted to do my City & Guilds training.
After spending almost 18 years out of education and going to a strange place on my own, not knowing anyone and starting a whole new career , it seemed very scary to me. Having a few days at home in between, I finished my training by November 2014. By February 2015 I had finished all my exams and assignments and I could safely call myself a City & Guilds Qualified Level 3 Dog groomer.
On 3rd of March 2015 Cwtsh Cuts was born. I would groom clients dogs by going directly into their homes to groom their dogs. Then by 1st of July 2015 I opened up my first grooming salon in Aberaeron. The business just grew and grew and by 15th of January 2018 I moved from my small unit in the Craft Centre to an all new bigger unit in the same centre. I had it kitted out to my preferences and I added Doggy Day Care to the business.
Although I did the first part of my qualifications in 2014/15, I have carried on with my training. I have been attending different seminars and demos, hosting my own handstripping seminar and workshop and also organising A grooming event called Clip, Snip & Strip a Pet Groomers Day out, at the United Counties Showground in Carmarthen in West Wales. I have also been going directly to breeders of different dogs and learning not just about the breeds but the different ways of how to groom them. Spending a lot of time perfecting my handstripping technique.
By September 2017 I gained my City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dog grooming and I’m now starting my Highers qualifications.
Since starting my training I have also attended and competed in many Grooming Competitions and I have been placed in nearly every competition that I have entered. (Please see bellow my achievement)
Expansion
In 2019 I decided to expand the business and purchased a property in Carmarthen. So the time came for me to hand over the mantle in Aberaeron to an amazing up and coming groomer so that I could open up an all new salon in Carmarthen and Cwtsh y Ci Bespoke Dog Grooming was established with it’s doors opening on the 9th of June 2020. I decided that I would work differently here in Carmarthen, Only working one to one in a crate and restrains free salon. Aiming to give not just the dog but the owner as well as much of a bespoke service as possible. Adding various different Spa treatments and keeping all products Natural, Cruelty free and Vegan. I’m fully insured and hold a Small Animal first aid certificate. If you would like further info please do not hesitate to contact me. So I hope to see you and your dog in the salon very soon.
Dylan's Achievements
October 2014 –
British Dog Grooming Championships
Exemplary Handler award
February 2015 –
City & Guilds Level 3 Intro Qualifications
April 2015 –
Mastergroom
1st Newcomer class
April 2016 –
Mastergroom
2nd Novice Handstrip
August 2016 –
Premier Groom
2nd intermediate Handstrip
November 2016 –
Cymru Groom
1st cross Breed workshop class.
1st Intermediate Handstrip.
August 2017 –
Organised the first Clip, Snip & Strip a pet groomers day out event. The biggest grooming event in West Wales
September 2017 –
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma
November 2017 –
Cymru Groom
1st K9 pairs competition.
May 2018 –
Vita Canis Style to Rescue
Reserve Best in Show.
April 2018 –
Extraordinary Grooming show
3rd Salon Creative
3rd Runway Class
June 2018 –
English Groomers Challenge
1st Experience Real life Pure Breed.
1st Experience – Handstrip
Best Overall Preperation
Best Overall Transformation
Best Overall Technique
Best Overall Finish
June 2019 –
Organised the biggest Dog festival and Grooming Competition in West Wales CWNFEST
June 2020 –
Opened the all new Salon in Carmarthen
2022 –
Voted Best Rated Dog Grooming Business in Carmarthenshire
2021 – 2022 –
Winner of Dog Grooming Business of the Year At the Prestige Awards
2023 –
Voted Best rated Dog Grooming Business in Carmarthenshire
2023 – 2024 –
Winner of Dog Grooming Business of the Year in Wales At the Global Prestige Awards
15 Barn Road Carmarthen SA311DD
01267 240920
dylan@cwtshyci.co.uk
