Professional grooming costs £25-£80 depending on size and services
Most dogs need grooming every 4-8 weeks
Choose groomers with proper qualifications and good reviews
💡 These quick picks highlight the most important points from this article
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Find welfare-first professional dog grooming near you to keep your dog comfortable, clean, and healthy. This hub explains what's included in each service, how often different coat types need care, and how to choose the right groomer for your dog. Frequency and techniques vary by coat type, condition, and lifestyle. [4][2]
For most dogs, combine regular at-home brushing and hygiene with periodic professional grooming to maintain skin and coat health; adjust bathing frequency by coat type and lifestyle rather than a fixed schedule.[2][5]
Quick Answer: Grooming typically includes brushing, bathing, drying, nail trimming, and basic hygiene checks. How often your dog needs professional grooming and baths varies by coat type, condition, and lifestyle. [2][5]
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What Is Dog Grooming? What's Included in a Full Groom vs Basic
Professional dog grooming is a comprehensive care service that maintains your dog's hygiene, health, and appearance through specialized techniques and equipment. Understanding the difference between service levels helps you choose the right option for your dog's needs and budget.
Basic Groom vs Full Groom
Basic Groom typically includes:
Bath with appropriate shampoo and conditioning
Thorough brush-out and de-shedding
Nail trimming to safe length
Ear cleaning and inspection
Hygiene tidy around sanitary areas
Basic blow-dry and finishing
Full Groom includes everything in basic plus:
Complete coat trim, clip, or hand stripping as appropriate
Breed-specific styling or owner-requested cut
Detailed sanitary and hygiene trimming
Professional styling and finishing touches
Paw pad trimming and nail shaping
The 7 Core Steps of Professional Grooming
Health and coat assessment: Checking for skin issues, matting, parasites, and overall condition
Pre-bath preparation: Brushing out loose fur, removing mats, and preparing the coat
Bathing and shampooing: Using appropriate products for coat type and skin condition
Drying and de-shedding: Thorough drying with professional equipment and additional de-shedding
Hygiene care: Nail trimming, ear cleaning, and sanitary area maintenance
Styling and trimming: Coat cutting, shaping, and breed-specific styling
Final inspection: Quality check, aftercare advice, and scheduling next appointment
Safety and Welfare Standards
Professional groomers prioritize your dog's comfort and safety through welfare-first practices. This includes stress-reduction techniques, appropriate restraint methods, regular comfort breaks, and immediate response to any signs of distress. [1]
Service Types and What's Included
Bath & Brush Service
What's included: Thorough bathing with coat-appropriate shampoo, conditioning treatment, complete brush-out, nail trim, ear cleaning, and blow-dry finish.
Ideal for: Dogs with short to medium coats, regular maintenance between full grooms, or dogs who don't require extensive trimming.
Duration: 1-2 hours depending on coat condition and dog size.
Frequency: Every 4-6 weeks for most dogs, or as needed based on lifestyle and coat type.
Full Groom (Clip/Style)
What's included: Everything in bath & brush plus complete coat styling, breed-specific cuts, sanitary trimming, paw pad care, and detailed finishing.
Duration: 2-4 hours depending on coat complexity and styling requirements.
Frequency: Every 6-8 weeks for most breeds, or as recommended by your groomer.
De-shedding Treatment
What's included: Specialized tools and techniques to remove loose undercoat, reduce shedding, and improve coat health.
Ideal for: Double-coated breeds, heavy shedders, and seasonal coat changes.
Duration: 1-3 hours depending on coat density and shedding level.
Frequency: Seasonally or as needed, typically 2-4 times per year.
Hand Stripping
What's included: Traditional technique for wire-coated breeds, removing dead coat by hand to maintain proper texture and color.
Ideal for: Wire-coated terriers and other breeds requiring traditional coat maintenance.
Duration: 2-4 hours depending on coat condition and breed requirements.
Frequency: Every 8-12 weeks or as needed to maintain coat quality.
Puppy Introduction Groom
What's included: Gentle introduction to grooming process, basic hygiene care, and positive socialization experience.
Ideal for: Puppies 12-16 weeks old (after second vaccinations) for early grooming socialization.
Duration: 30-60 minutes with frequent breaks and positive reinforcement.
Frequency: Initial visit followed by regular appointments to build confidence.
Dog Grooming Prices (UK Guide)
Grooming prices vary by breed/size, coat condition, style complexity, behaviour, and location (including mobile vs. salon). Expect smaller, simpler grooms to take less time and fall into lower bands, while larger breeds, matted coats, or specialist techniques (e.g., hand stripping) require longer sessions and higher bands. For accurate quotes, groomers assess your dog in person and confirm inclusions before starting.
Typical Price Bands
Use these bands as a general guide; actual quotes depend on coat condition and assessment on the day.
Full Groom: Small: mid band for simple clips; Medium: mid–higher; Large/XL or intricate styles: higher band.
De-shedding: Small/Medium: low–mid; Large/XL heavy shedders: mid–higher due to time/tools.
Hand Stripping: Generally higher band across sizes due to specialist technique and longer sessions.
Puppy Intro Groom: Typically lower band for short, confidence-building sessions.
Sensitive/Senior Care: Variable—band increases with one-to-one time and extra welfare breaks.
What Affects Price?
Breed and size: Larger dogs and dense coats take longer and require more product/time.
Coat length and condition: Matting, impacted undercoat, or neglected coat adds prep time.
Style complexity: Hand scissoring, breed patterns, or hand stripping increase session length.
Behaviour and handling needs: Extra breaks or one-to-one care extend appointments.
Location and model: Regional rates and mobile vs. salon overheads affect price bands.
How Often Should a Dog Be Groomed?
Grooming frequency depends on your dog's coat type, lifestyle, and individual needs. Regular professional grooming combined with at-home maintenance keeps your dog comfortable and healthy.
Frequency by Coat Type
Short coat (Beagle, Boxer): Every 8-12 weeks for basic grooming, more frequent baths if needed
Double coat (Golden Retriever, German Shepherd): Every 6-8 weeks with seasonal de-shedding treatments
Curly/Wool coat (Poodle, Doodles): Every 4-6 weeks to prevent matting and maintain style
Silky coat (Yorkshire Terrier, Afghan Hound): Every 4-6 weeks with regular brushing between visits
Wire coat (Wire Fox Terrier, Airedale): Hand stripping every 8-12 weeks, regular maintenance between
Signs It's Time to Book
Visible matting or tangling that won't brush out easily
Strong odor that doesn't improve with regular bathing
Excessive shedding or dull, greasy coat appearance
Nails clicking on hard surfaces or affecting gait
Difficulty seeing eyes due to overgrown facial hair
Choosing the right groomer keeps your dog safe, comfortable, and looking their best. Look for clear qualifications, good communication, and a welfare-first approach. Use this checklist to compare local options and feel confident about booking.
Insurance: Public liability plus care, custody and control cover in place and current.
Canine first aid: Up-to-date first aid certification for dogs.
CPD: Ongoing continuing professional development (seminars, breed workshops, handling courses).
Welfare and Safety Standards
Low-stress handling: Calm techniques, consent-based handling, and breaks as needed.
Hygiene and sanitisation: Clean tools, disinfected surfaces, and fresh towels between dogs.
Drying and equipment safety: Monitored drying, appropriate restraints, and well-maintained equipment.
Matted coat policy: Humane de-matting limits and clear shave-down policy when required for welfare.
Consent and paperwork: Written consent for extras/clip-downs, health disclosures, and emergency contact details.
Red Flags to Avoid
No consultation or consent: Rushed handovers, no style discussion, or no agreement on extras.
Opaque pricing or policies: No clear quote, no terms for deposits, cancellations, or matted coats.
Poor hygiene or safety: Dirty tools, strong odours, unattended dryers, or rough handling.
Preparing for Your Appointment
A little preparation helps your dog stay calm and ensures a smooth visit. Use this section to check what to do before you go, how the appointment typically runs, and what aftercare matters most.
Before You Go
Brush lightly: Do a quick brush/comb suited to your dog's coat; don't force out tight mats last-minute.
Health and behaviour notes: Disclose skin issues, medications, seizures, anxiety, or past grooming concerns.
Toilet break: Give a short walk so your dog can toilet before drop-off; arrive on lead and on time.
Feeding: Avoid a large meal right before the visit; bring favourite treats if allowed.
What to Expect During the Groom
Welfare-first approach: Comfort breaks, water, and calm handling take priority over speed.
Consent-based grooming: If your dog is anxious or matting is severe, your groomer will pause and contact you.
Safety and hygiene: Regular blade checks, sanitized tools, and no risky requests that could harm skin or coat.
Transparent updates: You may receive a call or text if timing changes or decisions are needed.
At-Home Grooming Basics
Some coat care is easy to do at home—like routine brushing, basic nail maintenance, and freshening up between visits. This section shows low-risk tasks, tools that help, and clear red lines where a professional is the safer choice.
Essential Tools Checklist
Brushes/Combs by coat type: Slicker (curly/long), pin brush (long/silky), bristle (short/smooth), greyhound comb for finishing. For detailed guidance on choosing the right brush for your dog's shedding needs, see our comprehensive guide on the best brushes for shedding dogs.
Nail tools: Guillotine or scissor clippers, styptic powder, and/or a pet nail grinder for smooth edges. Learn proper paw care techniques in our guide on dog paw trimmers.
Shampoos & conditioners: Gentle, dog-safe formulas suited to coat/skin needs; avoid human shampoo. For product recommendations, check our guides on the best dog shampoos and organic dog grooming products.
Dryer basics: Low-heat, high-air pet dryer or cool setting; never use hot human hairdryers directly on skin. Explore professional drying options in our dog hair dryer guide.
When to Leave It to Professionals
Severe matting, breed-specific styling, senior or anxious dogs, and any skin/medical concerns are best handled by a qualified groomer. These cases often need specialist tools, handling, and sometimes vet input—DIY can risk pain or injury. [1] If you're new to home grooming and want to build your toolkit gradually, start with our guide on essential grooming tools for beginner pet owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a full grooming for a dog?
Most full grooms include a bath and blow-dry, brush/comb-out, nail trim, ear clean, sanitary tidy, and a coat style appropriate to the breed and lifestyle. Specifics vary by salon, so check your groomer's service list in advance.
How much should I pay for a dog groom?
Prices vary by breed, size, coat condition, and the service package chosen. Ask for a quote that reflects your dog's coat, temperament, and any add-ons (like de-shedding or teeth freshener).
How regularly should a dog be groomed?
Frequency depends on coat type and lifestyle: short coats may need occasional baths and routine nail care, double coats benefit from regular de-shedding, and long/curly coats often need 4–8 week cycles. Your groomer can suggest an interval that keeps the coat healthy and manageable. [1]
What is the difference between basic grooming and full grooming?
Basic grooming usually covers bath, dry, brush-out, nails, and hygiene tidying. A full groom includes those steps plus a styled haircut or trim to suit breed standards or owner preference.
What are the three most important grooming habits?
Regular brushing, routine nail care, and quick weekly hygiene checks (ears, eyes, skin, pads). These habits prevent problems and make salon visits smoother and less stressful.
Do I wash my dog before grooming?
Only if your groomer asks—most full grooms include bathing as part of the service. If advised to bathe at home, use dog-safe shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and dry well.
Ready to Book Your Dog's Grooming?
Find qualified, reviewed dog groomers in your area. Compare prices, services, and availability.
