Most UK dog owners pay somewhere around £43 for a groom, but that single average hides a wide spread. Real prices run from roughly £20 for a quick tidy on a small short-coated dog to well over £100 for a large, double-coated breed needing hand stripping or a full styled cut. Where you live, what coat your dog has and the condition it arrives in all move the number.
This guide breaks down what you should actually expect to pay in 2026, what each price tier includes, and how to compare local groomers without getting stung by add-on charges.
The short answer on dog grooming prices
Here is the rough lie of the land for a full groom in 2026, based on what groomers across the UK are charging:
- Small dogs (Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Jack Russell): £30 to £60
- Medium dogs (Cockapoo, Spaniel, Border Collie): £45 to £75
- Large dogs (Labrador, Golden Retriever, Doodle crosses): £55 to £90
- Large double-coated or wiry breeds needing hand stripping: £70 to £100+
A simpler bath and brush sits below all of these, often £20 to £40, because it skips the styling and clipping work.
The cheapest dogs to groom are small breeds with smooth, short coats. A Jack Russell or a Beagle can be done for around £25 to £30 because there is little clipping and almost no styling. The most expensive are large dogs with thick double coats or wiry coats that need specialist work, where you are paying for time as much as anything.
What a full groom actually includes
When you book a "full groom" you are usually paying for a set of jobs done in sequence. A standard package covers:
- A wash with a coat-appropriate shampoo, sometimes two shampoos for a heavily soiled dog
- A blow-dry and full brush-out to remove loose undercoat
- A clip or scissor trim to the length and style you ask for
- Nail trimming
- Ear cleaning and a check for matting or skin issues
- A tidy of the paws, face and sanitary areas
A bath and brush is the same minus the clipping and styling. It suits dogs with short coats that do not need cutting, or owners who keep the length themselves between fuller appointments.
Some salons quote a low headline price that only covers a basic wash, then charge separately for nails, ears or de-matting. Ask what is bundled before you book so you are comparing like for like.
What makes one groomer dearer than another
Your dog’s size and coat type
This is the single biggest factor. A Poodle, Cockapoo or Bichon has a coat that grows continuously and needs proper scissor work, so you pay for the groomer’s time and skill. A short-coated Boxer needs a wash and a brush and not much else. Double-coated breeds like Huskies and Golden Retrievers take longer to dry and de-shed, which pushes the price up.
Hand stripping
Wiry-coated breeds such as Terriers, Schnauzers and some Spaniels are often hand stripped rather than clipped, which keeps the coat texture and colour correct. It is slow, skilled work done by hand, and it is priced accordingly. Expect £50 to £100 for hand stripping alone, depending on the dog’s size.
Coat condition
A matted coat is the quiet budget killer. If your dog arrives heavily knotted, the groomer either spends a long time carefully de-matting, which costs extra by the half hour, or has to clip the coat short for welfare reasons. Regular brushing at home between appointments is the easiest way to keep your bill down.
Where you live
Location moves prices more than most owners expect. The same Cockapoo full groom might be around £50 in a smaller town and closer to £90 in a London salon. City overheads, demand and salon style all feed into it, so two groomers a few miles apart can quote very differently.
Salon, mobile or home groomer
Mobile groomers who come to you in a van often charge a premium for the convenience and the one-to-one attention your dog gets, though for nervous or elderly dogs that calmer setting can be worth it. Home-based groomers sometimes come in a little cheaper than a high-street salon. None of these is automatically better value; it depends on your dog and what you want.
How often will you be paying this?
Grooming is rarely a one-off, so the per-visit price is only half the story. As a rough guide:
- Poodles, Doodles and other continuous-coat breeds: every 6 to 8 weeks
- Spaniels and longer-coated breeds: every 8 to 12 weeks
- Double-coated breeds: a few times a year, with heavier de-shed sessions in spring and autumn
- Short smooth coats: mostly as needed, often just a bath now and then
A Cockapoo groomed every six weeks at £60 is roughly £520 a year. Stretching the gap and brushing well at home brings that down. Working out your likely annual spend, not just the single visit, gives you a fairer comparison between groomers.
Is dog grooming regulated in the UK?
This matters because the price tells you nothing about training. In England and Wales, dog grooming is not a licensed activity. The Animal Activities Licensing rules that cover boarding kennels, catteries, dog daycare and breeding do not apply to grooming, so legally anyone can set up as a groomer without a qualification. You can confirm which activities do and do not need a licence on the Pet Industry Federation’s licensing page.
That does not mean groomers operate with no rules at all. The Animal Welfare Act still applies, so a groomer is responsible for your dog’s welfare while it is in their care. And many professionals choose to qualify even though they are not forced to. The recognised route is the City and Guilds dog grooming qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3, which are regulated by Ofqual and set the standard for a professional groomer in the British Isles.
When you are choosing, a low price from an untrained groomer is not really cheaper if your dog has a bad experience or comes home with a nick or a too-short clip. Ask about qualifications and insurance the same way you would check any other service.
How to compare local groomers properly
- Get a quote for your specific breed and coat, not a "from" price. Mention your dog’s size, coat type and how knotted it tends to get.
- Check what is included. Are nails, ears and de-matting in the price or added on?
- Ask about qualifications and insurance. A City and Guilds qualification and public liability cover are reasonable things to expect.
- Read recent reviews from owners of similar breeds, since a groomer brilliant with Labradors may be less practised on a fiddly Poodle trim.
- Visit if you can. A clean, calm salon and a groomer who handles your dog gently tells you more than any price list.
If you are weighing up a few options near you, browse vetted groomers by town on our dog grooming directory and read what local owners say before you book.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a full dog groom in the UK in 2026? Most full grooms fall between £30 and £90 depending on your dog’s size and coat. A small short-coated dog can be £30 to £40, while a large double-coated dog or one needing hand stripping can be £80 to £100 or more. The national average sits around £43, though London and other cities run higher.
Why is dog grooming so expensive for some breeds? You are paying for time and skill, not just a wash. Breeds with continuously growing coats like Poodles and Cockapoos need careful scissor work, and wiry breeds need hand stripping done slowly by hand. Double-coated dogs take a long time to dry and de-shed. The more work the coat needs, the higher the price.
What is the difference between a bath and brush and a full groom? A bath and brush is a wash, dry and brush-out with no clipping or styling, usually £20 to £40. A full groom adds clipping or scissoring to a style, nail trimming and ear cleaning, which is why it costs more. Short-coated dogs often only need a bath and brush.
Can I reduce my dog grooming costs? Yes. Brushing your dog regularly at home prevents matting, which is the main reason bills creep up. Booking a bath and brush between full grooms, keeping a slightly longer clip so visits are less frequent, and learning to do nails yourself all help. Avoid stretching the gap so far that the coat mats, as de-matting often costs more than you saved.
Do UK dog groomers need a licence or qualification? No. Grooming is not covered by Animal Activities Licensing in England and Wales, so a groomer is not legally required to hold a licence or qualification. Many still train through City and Guilds Level 2 or 3 qualifications, and the Animal Welfare Act means they remain responsible for your dog’s welfare. It is worth asking about training and insurance before booking.
How much should I budget for grooming over a year? Work out your visit price multiplied by how often your dog needs grooming. A Cockapoo done every six weeks at £60 is roughly £520 a year, while a short-coated dog needing only the odd bath might cost under £100. Continuous-coat breeds groomed every six to eight weeks are the biggest ongoing spend.