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Average Cost of Dog Grooming in the UK 2023
The average cost of dog grooming in the UK is £43, but prices range from £20 to £90 or even more. The amount you'll pay depends on a number of factors such as the size of your dog, the type of coat and where you live. Read below to find out how much you should expect to pay for your dog's grooming.
Average Cost of Dog Grooming in the UK
Most pet owners will pay around £43 to have their dog groomed by a professional, but you may pay half that or twice as much. To find out how much a grooming will cost we surveyed dog groomers around the UK, collecting over 100 quotes for a full groom. A full groom includes shampoo, blow dry, nail clip and hand stripping or clipping, as needed.
The cheapest dogs to groom are small dogs with smooth coats such as Jack Russell Terriers, which cost around £20 to get groomed. At the other extreme, grooming for a large, double-coated dog needing hand stripping, such as an Airedale, can cost £80-£90 or more.
| Cost of Dog Grooming by Size and Coat Type | Short Hair/Smooth Coat | Long Hair/Silk/Wool | Wire Hair/Double Coat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Dogs | Jack Russell, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Chihuahua, Pug | Bichon Frise, dachshund, Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu | Border Terrier, Sheltie, Norfolk, Norwich, Patterdale |
| £29 | £39 | £40 | |
| Medium Dogs | Beagle, Greyhound, Bulldog, Dalmation | Cockapoo, Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Miniature Poodle | Westie, Wire Fox, Scotty, Cairn, Miniature Schnauzer, Welsh, Lakeland Terrier |
| £33 | £47 | £44 | |
| Large Dogs | Labrador, Boxer, Pointer, Weimaraner, Vizla, Great Dane | Standard Poodle, Labradoodle, Border Collie, Setter | Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Collie, Airedale, Husky, Portugese Water Dog |
| £39 | £52 | £62 |
Keep in mind that these are standard prices; if your dog's coat is in a sorry state then your groomer will have more work to do, and might charge more.
Tips to Save Money on Dog Grooming
Dogs can be expensive. As grooming is just one of the many costs of keeping a dog, here are some tips to save money when your dog needs a wash and trim:
Compare Prices: Call at least 3 local groomers to enquire about prices for your dog. Ask if they include nail clipping, expressing glands, etc. or if these are extra.
Groom Your Own Dog: Some people safely groom their dogs at home. We think it goes without saying but a dose of common sense is needed to decide what you can handle at home.
Cutting and clipping may be best left to the professionals, as well as dealing with tricky situations like matted coats. A groomer recently got in touch to say she’s seen injuries in dogs after owners have tried home cutting or clipping, which we think is worth mentioning.
Clearly, the ability to groom your dog at home safely depends on many factors like temperament (of you and your dog!), condition and type of coat, size and breed of dog, the tasks and extent of work needed, your interest in learning proper techniques, etc.
But you can certainly practice basic grooming tasks at home such as regular brushing or the occasional bath which can save you money by extending the time needed between professional grooming sessions and reducing the workload for the groomer. There are plenty of YouTube videos if you’re interested in learning more about caring for your breed’s coat, and your groomer can certainly offer advice as well. Finally, we’ll pass on a piece of advice shared from another professional groomer: if you want to buy scissors to trim away the odd tuft of hair, make sure to buy blunt-tipped scissors (they are a thing) instead of pointy. Seems sensible.
Clip instead of hand strip: Hand stripping of double coat breeds (e.g., Border Terrier, Westie, etc.) is labour intensive, so you might save £10 or more by having your dog clipped instead.
Loyalty Discounts: Many groomers—especially mobile groomers—offer discounts for repeat customers (e.g., buy 5 grooms, get the 6th free!)
While grooming can contribute to your dog's good health, it is not covered by pet insurance policies (they typically do not cover preventative treatment or wellness costs).