Roxy is in disgrace. She has  relieved herself by a chair and is now shamelessly skidding on the floor. Since her arrival she has caused a stir among the other coiffured  regulars and this is really taking the dog biscuit. All she came in for was a trim.
Roxy is one of the many pooches who get their coats cut at Victoria Bark, a dog grooming business set up by newly-weds Dan and Becca Kimmins, near Victoria Park in Hackney.
And since being opened by Dan and Becca’s neighbour, Tommy Walsh from Ground Force, the salon has extended its celeb clientele to include the A-List. Chanel designer Tom Ford’s makeup artist brings in his two Jack Russells, named after Hollywood starlets Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.
Nearly all the pubs and cafes around the East London parlour allow hounds inside — perhaps a mark of dog-friendly Hackney.
Dan, who is a full-time graphic designer and helps out at the weekend, says: “It would be stupid not to, there are too many dog walkers in the area that come in from Victoria Park.”
Since opening in July, trade at Victoria Bark in Grove road has been booming as 28-year-old Becca, is often fully booked and dealing with about six dogs a day. It is quite a career change for the ex-fashion buyer.
“I see people who think what I do is great, which makes it worth it.”
In 2011, a pet owner survey by animal charity the Blue Cross, revealed that the UK pet trade is worth almost £15 billion a year. It seems owners are willing to fuss over their pets as they would do their babies, Becca says:
“Sometimes people stay for the first time to see their dog’s hair getting cut because they are curious to see what we do. They are, after all, their babies, and the thought of leaving them can be a bit daunting,” Becca says.
In the space of an hour four dog-owners fly in and out of the shop.  One talks to Dan about Daisy, his and Becca’s Schnauzer, who has lost some weight recently. “She was a real chunky monkey before,” Dan jokes.
That morning Becca is grooming Tipper, who looks like Daisy the schnauzer but much smaller. She has matting around her “lady bits” that needs a trim, says Becca.
Becca says: “It usually takes about an hour to do a standard dog but that varies depending on the size and how co-operative they are. If it is a bigger dog it can take up to three hours. That is why it is quite hard when we have a new booking as we don’t know how long it will take.”
The basic grooming of an average-sized dog, like a boxer, costs £25. This price includes a seven-point health check and ear hair and nail trimming. A full price list is here.
Next Zsa Zsa arrives, and after emptying her bowels she  is reluctantly separated from her owner, 24-year-old Natalie Bennett. After some coaxing the Pomeranian, settles in and is prepared for her lion cut. This is one of the most popular requests at the salon and, unsurprisingly, it involves lots of hair left around the head and a short cut on the back.
Owners choose designs from a big ‘style’ book or bring in photos. Tipper’s owner, David McDaid, 34, had already emailed his preferred design in advance, but Bennett leaves her beloved Roxy in Becca’s hands.
Becca says they rarely get unhappy customers: “It is like going to the hairdresser. Sometimes people don’t know if they like something until after it is done but that isn’t our fault.”
As for the future, Victoria Bark is considering introducing cat grooming and Becca is keen to employ more staff for the salon that is certainly, a doggy dream.
What do the customers say?
Simon Muller, 35, an actor: “My dog is called Hamlet, my girlfriend and I both act so we thought the name was appropriate. Plus, he is a very pensive dog. I come to Victoria Bark and Hamlet always gets a lot of positive comments about his coat. Hamlet has a far nicer coat than most of his siblings and at just 15 months, he is a puppy still.”
Natalie Bennet, 24, owner of Roxy: “I got Roxy from a professional breeder and it is rare to see a Pomeranian as they are normally a chihuahua mix. Her hair is long at the moment but it can get longer. I was recommended to come to this shop by a friend so I thought I would bring her in. She just needs cleaning up a bit, and the wispy bits tidying up.”
David McDaid, 34, owner of Tipper: “Tipper has been to this place before so we are comfortable coming here. This is our third time. I get her groomed for several reasons, mainly practicality and because it looks good. She smells amazing afterwards.”
Visit www.victoriabark.co.uk for more details or follow on Twitter
