How much does dog grooming cost in the UK?

Two dogs of the same breed can cost different amounts to groom, because coat length, condition, behaviour, the finish you want and the time needed can all be different. Individual grooming businesses also set their own prices.

So while it's natural to ask how much a dog groom costs, the most useful answer is to understand what affects the quote you're given.

What affects the price of dog grooming?

Your dog's size

Larger dogs generally require more product, more bathing time, more drying time and more physical grooming time than smaller dogs.

But size isn't the only factor. A small dog with a complicated coat may require considerably more work than a larger short-coated dog.

Coat type and length

Different coats require different amounts and types of work. A full groom on a long or curly coat can involve bathing, drying, brushing, clipping and scissoring. A double-coated dog may require substantial drying and de-shedding. A wire-coated dog being hand stripped may require a specialist and time-consuming technique.

This is why comparing prices based on breed name alone isn't always particularly useful.

Coat condition and matting

A regularly maintained coat will generally be easier to work with than one containing significant tangles or matting. Matted coat can require additional time and may limit the grooming options available.

Where working through mats would cause unnecessary discomfort, a groomer may recommend clipping the coat shorter instead. Tell a prospective groomer about matting when asking for a quote rather than waiting until the appointment.

What type of grooming service do you need?

Dog grooming can describe several different services, and what's included varies between businesses.

• Full groom: may include bathing, drying, brushing, coat styling or clipping and nail care. Always check what the individual groomer includes.
• Bath and brush: for dogs not requiring a haircut, a bath and brush or de-shedding appointment may be appropriate.
• Puppy introduction: often a shorter appointment designed to introduce a puppy to grooming rather than provide a full adult groom.
• Hand stripping: a specialist technique used for suitable wire coats, and usually more time-consuming.
• De-shedding: dogs with substantial undercoat can require significant bathing, drying and coat removal.

Your dog's individual grooming needs

Some dogs need additional time. A senior dog may require more breaks or a slower appointment. A nervous dog may need a groomer to work differently from the way they would with a confident dog accustomed to grooming.

This doesn't mean every groomer charges specifically according to behaviour, as pricing policies vary between businesses. It does mean that time is one of the major costs involved in professional dog grooming.

Does location affect dog grooming prices?

Yes. Grooming businesses operate with different costs depending on where they are based, so prices can vary between different parts of the UK and even between businesses within the same town.

A salon, a home-based business and a mobile groomer can also have very different operating costs.

Why mobile dog grooming can cost differently

Mobile groomers travel to their clients and normally operate from a specially equipped grooming vehicle. Travel time, fuel, vehicle costs and the one-to-one nature of the service can all influence pricing.

That doesn't mean mobile grooming will always be more expensive, because individual businesses set their own prices, but it explains why comparing it directly with a salon isn't always straightforward.

How to get an accurate dog grooming quote

When contacting a new groomer, give them as much useful information as possible:

• Your dog's breed or cross
• Approximate size or weight
• Age
• Current coat length
• When they were last professionally groomed
• Whether there is any matting
• The sort of finish you're hoping for
• Anything relevant about how your dog copes with grooming

Some groomers may ask for photographs. It's also worth asking what's included in the price and whether particular services carry an additional charge.

Why might the final price be different from an initial quote?

A groomer cannot always accurately judge a dog's coat before seeing and handling it. Matting can be difficult to assess from a photograph, and the amount of undercoat or the time required may only become clear during the appointment.

Ask the individual business how its quotations and pricing work.

Think about annual grooming cost, not just one appointment

One useful question to ask is how often your dog is likely to need grooming.

A slightly cheaper appointment every six weeks and a slightly dearer one every twelve weeks can represent very different annual costs. The cheapest individual appointment therefore isn't necessarily the cheapest grooming routine, and price shouldn't be the only factor in deciding what's appropriate for your dog's coat.

If you're weighing up businesses rather than just prices, our guide to choosing a dog groomer covers what else to compare.

Find dog grooming prices near you

Because grooming businesses set their own prices, the most accurate way to find out what grooming will cost is to contact groomers in your area and discuss your dog. Book A Dog Groomer lets you compare local businesses, their services and the types of dog they say they welcome before contacting them directly.