Law changed so dog can return to barbershop

Ohio hound is back and greeting customers after state's rules are altered

Franklin, a four-year-old basset hound, relaxes in his usual spot as Matt Schwendiman gives a haircut to Billy Boles at Matt's Barber Shop in Canal Fulton, Ohio, recently. Franklin was exiled from the shop 10 months ago when an inspector for the Ohio State Barber Board said that animals are not allowed. Franklin is back on his favorite sofa after the board last year crafted rules that allow one animal if certain precautions are met.

Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer

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updated 2:26 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2007

CANAL FULTON, Ohio — About a year after being kicked out of his spot on a sofa inside Matt's Barber Shop, a sad-eyed basset hound named Franklin is back and greeting customers.

Franklin was as much of a fixture in the shop about 60 miles south of Cleveland as the 1950s-era, green barber's chair near where the dog sits.

"I love him," said Franklin's owner, Matt Schwendiman, who cuts hair at the shop, which he owns. "I haven't met anyone who comes in here who doesn't like Franklin. He just gets along with everybody."

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But the 4-year-old dog was kicked out about a year ago when an inspector for the Ohio State Barber Board told Schwendiman that animals are not allowed.

Hound pines
During a 10-month exile to the barber's home, Franklin just didn't seem happy.

"At my house, he scratched my window sills up," Schwendiman said. "When I'd leave, he would look out the picture window. He wanted to go to the barbershop."

After a local newspaper did a story, rules were passed that allow one animal per barbershop, as long as it belongs to the shop's owner, a vet attests to the animal's health and the owner obtains liability insurance.

"He's a great dog," said Schwendiman. "He's just so passive. He makes you relaxed; he reminds me of myself when I'm home sleeping."