How much does dog grooming cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per groom
£30 – £80
Dog grooming in the UK typically costs £30–£80 per groom. Breed and coat type matter more than size alone — a small heavily coated dog can cost more than a large smooth-coated one. Matting is the main thing that pushes a price up, and heavily matted coats may have to be clipped short rather than brushed out, for welfare reasons rather than convenience.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small breed | £30 – £45 |
| Medium breed | £40 – £60 |
| Large breed | £55 – £90 |
| Heavily coated or matted, extra | +£15 – £40 |
| De-shedding treatment | £40 – £70 |
| Nails only | £8 – £15 |
| Puppy introduction session | £20 – £35 |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Why coat type matters more than size
Price follows the work, and the work follows the coat.
Smooth-coated dogs are quick: a bath, a dry, nails and ears. Double-coated breeds shed heavily and need proper de-shedding, which takes time but not scissor work. Curly and wool coats — poodles and the many poodle crosses — need full clipping and scissoring, and they mat readily, which is why they are consistently among the more expensive dogs to groom.
Hand-stripping, used on wire-coated terriers, is a specialist skill done over a long session and priced accordingly. It is not the same as clipping, and clipping a wire coat changes its texture permanently.
When you book, say the breed and the coat condition honestly. A groomer quoting for a well-maintained doodle and meeting a matted one has a problem, and so do you.
Matting: why the answer is often a short clip
This is the part owners find hardest to hear. When a coat is badly matted, the mats are tight against the skin, and brushing them out is genuinely painful — it pulls the skin, can cause bruising and haematomas, and takes hours.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 there is a duty to prevent unnecessary suffering, and a responsible groomer will not put a dog through prolonged de-matting when clipping the coat short is quicker and kinder. Many will explain this and then do exactly that.
The skin underneath is often in poor condition — sore, damp, sometimes with sores you could not see. It looks worse immediately after clipping because it becomes visible.
The coat grows back. A groomer who refuses to spend two hours hurting your dog to preserve its appearance is the groomer you want. One who agrees to brush out severe matting for a fee is a warning sign.
Keeping the cost down between grooms
Brush properly at home, and brush to the skin. Most owners brush the top of the coat, which looks fine while mats form underneath — behind the ears, in the armpits, under the collar and around the back legs are the usual spots.
Use the right tool for the coat. A slicker brush and a comb suit most curly coats; an undercoat rake suits double coats. Ask your groomer to show you — most will happily demonstrate, because it makes their next appointment easier too.
Check with a comb, not your eyes. If a comb will not pass to the skin, there is matting forming.
Groom regularly rather than seasonally. Every six to eight weeks for a curly coat is normal, and a dog on that schedule costs less each time than one arriving matted twice a year.
And get puppies used to it early. A puppy introduction session costs little and makes every future groom faster, calmer and cheaper.
Choosing a groomer
Grooming is not a licensed trade in the UK, so qualifications are voluntary. Look for recognised grooming qualifications, insurance, and a clean, calm salon.
Ask whether dogs are kennelled or crated between stages and for how long, and whether heated dryers are left unattended — this matters, and any good salon answers openly.
Ask how they handle a dog that becomes distressed. The right answer involves stopping, not persisting.
A groomer who asks you as many questions as you ask them — about health, age, previous grooms, sensitivities — is doing the job properly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dog grooming cost?+
£30–£80 per groom typically. Small breeds are £30–£45, medium £40–£60 and large £55–£90, with heavily coated or matted dogs costing £15–£40 more.
Why is my doodle more expensive than a bigger dog?+
Coat type drives the work more than size does. Curly and wool coats need full clipping and scissoring and mat easily, whereas a large smooth-coated dog is mostly a bath and a dry.
Why did the groomer shave my dog instead of brushing the mats out?+
Because de-matting a tight coat is painful and can bruise the skin. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 there is a duty to prevent unnecessary suffering, so clipping short is the kinder option — and the coat grows back.
How often should a dog be groomed?+
Every six to eight weeks for curly and wool coats. Double coats need seasonal de-shedding, and smooth coats need much less. Regular grooming costs less per visit than rescuing a matted coat.
How do I stop matting between grooms?+
Brush to the skin rather than over the top, and check with a comb — if it will not pass through to the skin, matting is forming. Behind the ears, armpits and under the collar are the usual places.
Do dog groomers need a licence?+
Grooming itself is not a licensed trade in the UK, so qualifications are voluntary. Look for recognised grooming qualifications, insurance and a calm, clean salon.
When should a puppy have its first groom?+
Early, as a short introduction session at £20–£35. It is about getting used to handling, water and dryers rather than the haircut, and it makes every later groom easier.
Related price guides
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