HBO Sports Acquires Competitive Dog Grooming Documentary ‘Well Groomed’

By Claire Spellberg @c_spellberg
Published Aug. 22, 2019, 12:00 p.m. ET

Where to Stream:

Well Groomed

Powered by Reelgood

More On:

HBO Go

Who brushed the dogs out? Today, HBO Sports announced that it has acquired Well Groomed, an hourlong documentary about the world of competitive and creative dog grooming. Directed by Rebecca Stern, Well Groomed follows a group of dog lovers who spend their lives transforming their pets into living works of art on the technicolor competition circuit. The documentary will be available to stream on HBO in December, although a specific date has not yet been announced.

Set over the course of a year, Well Groomed follows the dogs and humans of the competitive grooming world, a community with its own expectations, drama, and culture. As these groomers, most of whom are female, travel across the country, they participate in large-scale competitions where they can show off their bold and imaginative designs, as well as swap stories with other dog lovers. The subjects featured in Well Groomed each face their own personal and professional challenges, but through it all, they remain dedicated to their pets, their art, and their unique community. As HBO puts it, “These women are revolutionizing the age-old question — what is art?”

“I’m thrilled to have HBO Sports as a home for Well Groomed,” director Rebecca Stern said. “The film explores a world where competition, art and animals combine in the most vivid color and is a perfect match for the HBO Sports ethos of innovative programming.”

“Well Groomed takes viewers into the imaginative and obsessive world of competitive dog grooming,” said The Ringer founder Bill Simmons, an HBO executive producer on the documentary. “Director Rebecca Stern and her team’s documentary introduce many memorable characters — both human and canine.”

In addition to Simmons, Well Groomed is executive produced by HBO’s Peter Nelson, Chris Vivion, Annie Roney, Sue Turley and co-executive produced by Meryl Goldsmith. On top of her directing duties, Stern also serves as a writer and producer.

Well Groomed will be available on HBO On Demand, HBO Go, and HBO Now in December 2019.