Having the motto Love and Kindness Guaranteed for a canine grooming salon probably accounts for the success owner Lorraine Lucas has achieved in the past eight years running Hair of the Dog.

Keeping a dog clean is an important part of its welfare. Matted hair can start skin conditions which in extreme cases can lead to limb amputation.

Clients come from far and wide for their pets to be groomed at the Hawley Road salon in Dartford, with some travelling from North London.

Word-of-mouth recommendation via dog walkers has brought most of the company’s business to its door.

There are a wide range of additional services on offer such as microchipping – which becomes law for all dogs next year – dog sitting and walking. Ear plucking and cleaning as well as other examinations are also available.

It is an industry with many start-up companies, but only a few stay the course. Miss Lucas believes in giving her little clients the full works.

She said: “Our grooming salon is equipped with deluxe equipment for the welfare of your dog to ensure they have the most comfortable and happy grooming experience possible.

“The salon is also fully air-conditioned which is lovely and cool for them in the summer months and heated for the winter.

“We do not believe in caging dogs here at Hair of the Dog. All are attended to on a one-to-one basis.

“This enables your dog to enjoy the groomer’s sole love and attention and also helps establish a bond.

“All dogs are lovingly brushed, bathed and gently hand dried and clipped to a professional standard.

“They are then provided with a warm, comfy bed to relax in while waiting for their collection.”

The company is also community conscious and supports local groups wherever possible.

The company is one of the contenders for this year's Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards, which are now in their 10th year.

They are supported by the Messenger, and each entrant gets a free profile in our papers and on our website.

This year’s award sponsors are Dartford council, Gravesham council, Barnes Roffe, Kent Business School (University of Kent), the KM Group (Dartford Messenger and Gravesend Messenger), Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, Edinburgh House, University of Greenwich and Mid Kent College.

Entries have now closed. The winners will be announced later this year.