How Dogfather Started

Dogfather Grooming was founded in 2005 by Matt Harwood, inspired by two poodles, Vader and Lulu, and a belief that grooming should be grounded in skill, empathy, and respect.

Matt trained professionally, then went on to teach others, developing deep expertise in breed-specific handling, safe mat removal, and stress-aware grooming techniques. Those standards still guide the work today. Shorter sessions. Clear communication with owners. Calm, consistent care for every dog.

What began as a passion quickly became a purpose-built business designed to give owners peace of mind and dogs a genuinely positive experience.

Nearly two decades later, Dogfather is a recognized and trusted grooming brand across Connecticut, powered by a highly trained team and a hands-on owner who still sets the bar every day.