Keeping your dog looking its best is an essential part of being a dog owner and caring for your furry friend.
While some dog owners may choose to do the grooming themselves, others may prefer to leave it to the professionals.
But how much does professional dog grooming cost in the UK?
The typical cost of dog grooming in the United Kingdom is £43, although rates vary from £20 to £90 or more. The cost you’ll pay is determined by a number of things, including your dog’s size, coat type, and location.
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
A professional groom for a medium-sized dog might cost anywhere from £23 to £79, although you may pay half that or double as much, depending on location.
Although the average cost of dog grooming in the UK is £43.
This price will, of course, be higher or lower depending on your dog’s needs – a poodle will require more work than a Labradoodle, for example – but it gives you a good idea of what to expect in budgeting for your dog’s grooming.
Of course, the price you’ll pay also depends on where you live. In general, prices for dog owners in London and the surrounding areas are higher than elsewhere in the UK.
Dog Grooming Cost by Breed
The cost of grooming a dog varies depending on the breed. Take a look at our guide to check out what it could cost to groom some of the most popular dog breeds in the UK:
- Poodle: £75 – £95
- Labradoodle: £50 – £70
- Golden Retriever: £45 – £55
- Shih Tzu: £50 – £60
- Yorkshire Terrier: £50 – £65
- Jack Russell Terrier: £35 – £45
- Cocker Spaniel: £40 – £50
- Labrador Retriever: £40 – £60
- German Shepherd: £45 – £55
- Beagle:£30-£40
- Border Collie: £45-£55
- French Bulldog: £50 – £60
- Border Terrier: £40-£50
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier: £35 – £45
- Toy Poodle: £70-£80
- Pug: £45 – £55
- Whippet: £40-£50
- Springer Spaniel: £40-£50
- Dachshund: £40-£50
- Greyhound: £40-£50
What Does Dog Grooming Prices Include?
A complete dog grooming includes everything needed to clean, comfort, and groom your pet.
At a minimum, every full groom includes:
- Brushing and/or combing
- Bathing
- Blow dry
- Nails trimming
- Ear cleaning
- Anal gland expression
- Haircut (optional)
Optional extra services may include:
- De-matting
- Teeth brushing
- Furminator treatments
- Speciality shampoos
- Conditioners
- Flea and tick treatments
- Sanitary trims
- Pawdicure (nail polish)
Tips to Save Money on Dog Grooming Prices
It’s possible that you’ve heard that grooming your dog may be expensive.
While grooming is only one of the many expenses involved with caring for a dog, there are several methods to cut costs when your pet requires a wash and haircut:
Compare Prices
Call at least three local groomers to compare the price range for full grooming for your dog. Inquire about whether they include nail clipping, glands, and the like, or if these are extra services.
Groom Your Own Dog
Many people groom their dogs at home without any problems. However, not everyone is cut out for this and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Chopping and trimming should most certainly be left to the experts, as well as dealing with issues like matted coats.
A groomer recently contacted us to say she has observed injuries in dogs after customers attempted home haircuts or clipping, which we feel is worth noting.
Clearly, the ability to groom your dog at home securely is dependent on a variety of criteria such as temperament (both yours and your dog’s), health and fitness, coat type, size and breed of dog, required tasks and effort levels, and so on.
You may even practice basic grooming activities at home, such as regular brushing or the occasional bath, which might save you money by extending the time between professional grooming sessions and reducing the work for the groomer.
If you’re interested in learning more about caring for your breed’s coat, there are plenty of YouTube videos to help you out.
Finally, we’ll pass along a piece of advice offered by another professional groomer: if you want to buy blunt-tipped scissors to trim away one here and there, make sure they aren’t too small or lightweight, as this can cause pain to your dog and damage their skin.
Read Here: Ways to keep your dogs coat shiny and soft
Use Grooming Coupons
Check local pet stores, as well as online, for coupons to use at groomers in your area. You can also search for online coupon codes to use when making appointments.
Be picky about when you schedule your grooming appointment. Many people take their dogs in before holidays, so groomers are often booked solid (and may even charge a premium) during these periods.
Schedule your dog’s grooming for the off-season instead and you may be able to take advantage of special deals and promotions.
Buy Grooming Supplies in Bulk
You can often find good prices on dog shampoo, conditioner, brushes, combs, and other tools when you purchase them in bulk online. Amazon has a good selection of products.
Invest in High-Quality Grooming Products
It may sound counterintuitive, but using higher-quality products on your dog’s coat can actually save you money in the long run.
Better brushes, combs, and scissors will last longer and do a better job of caring for your dog’s coat, which means you won’t have to replace them as often.
Using shampoos, conditioners, and other products designed specifically for dogs can help to prevent problems like dry skin, which can lead to excessive shedding or hair loss and require costly vet visits.
Clip instead of hand strip
While some breeds require hand-stripping to maintain their coat, it’s generally more expensive than clipping.
If your dog’s breed doesn’t specifically require hand-stripping, then it’s probably not necessary to pay the extra money for this service.
Check with a professional groomer to see if clipping would be a suitable alternative for your dog.
Why Are Dog Grooming Costs Rising?
Pet ownership increases
Increased demand for dog grooming services is one of the main causes of the rising cost of pet expenses. Covid-19 and lockdowns resulted in a significant boost in pet ownership as a side effect.
According to the experts cost of pet ownership has increased by 5% in the UK in the last year. The demand for pet groomers has never been higher.
As a result, many groomers have raised their prices to meet the increased demand.
Health concerns
Another reason for the increased cost of dog grooming is the fact that, as our furry friends get older, they often require more delicate handling and may have more health concerns that need to be taken into account.
This is especially true for senior dogs, who may suffer from arthritis or other age-related issues that make grooming more difficult.
Additionally, many groomers now offer specialised services for dogs with allergies, sensitive skin, or other medical conditions that require extra care.
These services can cost more than traditional grooming, but they may be worth it to keep your dog healthy and comfortable.
Better treatment and care
Finally, it’s important to remember that dog grooming has come a long way in recent years.
Gone are the days when dogs were simply shaved down or clipped with little regard for their health or well-being.
Now, most groomers take a much more holistic approach to dog grooming, focusing on the health and well-being of the dog as well as the aesthetics.
This means that groomers now offer a wide range of services beyond simple haircuts, including nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and more.
All of these additional services come at a cost, but they can make a big difference in the health and happiness of your dog.
More skilled workforce
As the industry has grown, so has the need for more skilled and qualified dog groomers.
This is good news for dogs (and their owners), as it means that they will receive better care and treatment.
However, it also means that dog grooming costs have risen as businesses have had to invest in more expensive equipment and train their staff to meet the demands of the growing industry.
Conclusion
We hope you found our guide on the average cost of dog grooming in the UK helpful!
While the cost of dog grooming is an average of £43, it is on the rise, but there are still ways to keep costs down without compromising on quality or your dog’s health and wellbeing.
If you have any tips on saving money on grooming, please share them with us in the comments below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.