19/03/2025
This week we interviewed
Jane Bourke
Grooming Competitor and member of Groomteam Australia “ The Quokka’s”
Name. Jane Bourke
Business name
The Naked Hound Grooming Salon
Q: hi Jane how long have you been grooming and when was your 1st grooming Competition?
I have been grooming for 18 years.
My first grooming comp was Brisbane Royal in 2012
Q How did you feel leading up to your first grooming competition?
I was nervous and didn't really know what to expect. I felt very under prepared and not good enough.
Q: What was the competition atmosphere like?
The atmosphere was really nice. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Q: What impact did the judges’ critiques have on you?
Invaluable, I was like a sponge taking it all in. And started to practice my technique all the time. I found my salon grooms started to benefit from my competition experience
Q: What did you enjoy most about the experience?
I loved the challenge, and to better myself with every groom. You always seem to be your own harshest critique. The connection I had with other groomers. Being from the country there was never a network to fall back on to. But with the friendships I have made it is so delightful to catch up withem every time I go to a comp.
Q: How has competing changed your perspective or confidence? Has competing helped you to improve your skills and in other ways?
Perspective and confidence definitely have come forward in leaps and bounds since competing. Knowing you understand a breed trim or freestyle haircut is so good, this helps in preparation and dog selection and time management for each groom.
Q: What keeps you coming back to competitions?
Addiction, hahahaha 😁
I'm a perfectionist and love making sure my dogs are in top condition health and coat wise. I love to grow the long coats on my American Cocker Spaniels and see the final result after a comp. It takes months of prep not just the week before to have a great comp dog in good hair
Q What are some of your placements and achievements in Grooming comps you are proud of?
I have been blessed with a great comp career. I have won multiple BIS and RUBIS, NSW state groomer. International and national online competitions with BIS and RUBIS for these events. The pinnacle of my grooming career would be the world Team Grooming Championships in Waregem, Belgium 2024 where the Australian groom team were place 5th out of 23 countries. I cannot begin to express how proud I am of our teams achievement. The experience was amazing
Q. What opportunities have come about from competing
Travel, sponsorship, friendships.
Travelling nationally and internationally with grooming has been a huge eye opener. It is amazing how your career can take you all over the place. Judging and instructing have been a tremendous experience and would like to further my career in those areas.
Q What is next for you?
I am not quite sure; I would like to branch out to more judging and teaching. Travelling overseas to compete is definitely on my list. Plus, possibly a bit of a shift to dog conformation shows
Q: What advice would you give to someone nervous about competing for the first time?
First time groomers, choose your dogs wisely. Maybe offer customers free weekly maintenance baths for the use of their dog. This will enable you to grow the length coat you need. The competition day prep is so important. Take your time, don't rush this, complete a nice straight show dry. This will be half of your effort towards a lovely result. It's just hair and it grows back so don't stress you are going to "wreck it". Just be prepared ☺️ it does get easier the more comps you attend xo
