I'm Claire — and for 23 years I've been styling, soothing and spoiling dogs the way I'd want my own to be treated. No kennels. No queues. No rushing. Just your dog, me, and gentle natural products in a home salon built around calm.
"Claire is a magician. My rescue used to shake at the groomers — now he jumps out of the car."
— Hannah & Rolo
I've been a groomer for twenty-three years. I started out in Northenden with a little salon of my own, and in 2015 I moved the business here to Gorton, named it Shearzam, and rebuilt it around the one thing that's always mattered most to me — your dog.
There are no kennels at Shearzam. There's no waiting room full of barking, no queue of dogs getting blasted by loud dryers, no rushed trims because someone else is next. When your dog is with me, they are the only dog in the salon. That calm changes everything — especially for nervous pups, rescues, seniors, and first-timers.
I use natural and organic products because I've seen too many dogs react to the cheap stuff. I work from my home salon on Norfolk Avenue, and I also travel in my mobile van if your dog is happier being groomed at home. If you live within about 5 miles, I can collect and drop off for a small fee — perfect if you're at work or don't drive.
One dog at a time, start to finish — no cage drying, no handovers.
Natural & organic shampoos that are kinder to skin, coat and noses.
From hand stripping terriers to teddy-cut doodles — it's all in the hands.
Come to the Gorton salon, or I'll come to you in the mobile van.
Every groom is booked as its own appointment. Your dog has my full attention from the moment they arrive to the moment they're handed back to you smelling lovely.
The works — warm natural-product bath, gentle hand-drying, ears, nails, hygiene trim and a full scissor or clipper finish that suits your dog's breed and lifestyle.
A gentle introduction for under-12-month pups. Short and sweet, full of praise and treats, so they come away loving the feeling of being groomed instead of fearing it.
From Schnauzer skirts to Poodle pompoms, Westie shapes to Bichon rounds — I know how each breed is meant to be cut, or we tailor it to suit your family's lifestyle.
The traditional, breed-correct finish for terriers and other wire-coated breeds. It keeps the coat rich in colour and texture — and most dogs find it genuinely relaxing.
For dogs who don't need a full restyle — a warm bath with natural shampoo, a thorough blow-dry and de-shed brush-out so your home (and sofa) stays cleaner for longer.
Quick in-and-out maintenance visits. Nails clipped and filed smooth, ears gently cleaned and plucked if needed, hygiene trim to keep bottoms, paws and faces tidy between full grooms.
Give me a quick call on 07850 799266 and we'll chat about breed, coat type and what will suit them best.
"Our cockapoo Finn hates the big salons — he shakes the whole way there. With Claire he actually walks in wagging his tail. She grooms him one-to-one so there's no noise, no other dogs, and he comes home smelling gorgeous. We won't ever go anywhere else."
"Claire knows her breeds. We've got two Westies and the last groomer just buzzed them all over — Claire hand strips them properly so the coat colour has come right back. She's clearly got decades of experience, and it shows in the finish."
"Molly is 14 and very anxious. Most groomers wouldn't take her. Claire spent extra time on her first visit just making her feel safe — no cage drying, no rushing. She came out looking beautiful and slept the whole way home. Absolute star."
"I used to drive across town to a salon and wait hours. Claire picked Rupert up from my house in Droylsden, groomed him calmly one-to-one, and dropped him back smelling amazing. Small fee for pickup is so worth it if you're at work."
"Booked Claire for our puppy's first ever groom and she made such an effort with him. Kept it short, lots of praise, proper gentle. He trotted back to the car wagging. Natural shampoo smells lovely too — no perfume, no itching."
Most new clients book 1–2 weeks ahead. Message on Facebook or call and I'll find a quiet slot that works for you both.
If yours isn't here, drop me a message on Facebook or give me a call — happy to chat through anything.
Yes — dogs must be up to date on their core vaccinations before their appointment. This keeps every dog in my salon safe (including yours), and it's a requirement I don't make exceptions on. Just bring or photograph your vet card for the first visit and we're good.
For your dog's first visit I like to go slow. We'll have a chat on the doorstep about coat type, any anxieties or skin issues, and the finish you'd like. Then it's a calm, unhurried groom with only your dog in the salon — no other dogs being handled, no noisy cage dryers. Most first-timers end up having a nap halfway through.
Yes — in fact, those are the dogs the one-to-one model is built for. A lot of my clients are rescues, older dogs with joint pain, or pups who've had a bad experience at a busy salon. I'll go at their pace, break the groom into parts if they need a breather, and skip anything that causes real distress. If something isn't right for them that day, we won't force it.
Whichever suits you and your dog best. The Gorton salon is calm, warm and has the full set-up — ideal for most grooms. The mobile van comes to you and is brilliant for dogs who travel badly, multi-dog households, or if you simply prefer the convenience. Just let me know which you'd like when you book.
Because I only work with one dog at a time, most full grooms take around 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on breed, coat condition and how your dog settles. That's more time than a conveyor-belt salon, but without the stress of waiting around in a kennel. You're welcome to drop off and pop out rather than waiting.
Yes — within roughly a 5-mile radius of Gorton, I offer a pickup and drop-off service for a small additional fee. It's ideal if you're at work during the day or don't drive. I'll collect your dog at an agreed time, groom them calmly, and bring them back home looking and smelling lovely.
The home salon is on Norfolk Avenue in Gorton (M18 7BF), and the mobile van + pickup service covers roughly a 5-mile radius. I welcome regular clients from all over — including the Northenden families who followed me over when I moved the business.
Gorton · East Manchester · home salon with off-road parking
Fill in the quick form and I'll get back to you with a suggested slot, or call/message directly — whichever is easier.