How Much Does Dog Grooming Cost in the UK?

Most UK owners pay somewhere around £40 to £65 for a full groom, but the real dog grooming cost in the UK depends on three things: how big your dog is, what sort of coat it has, and where you live. As a rough map, a full groom averages about £42 for a small dog, £55 for a medium dog and £63 or more for a large one, with heavy-coated and extra-large breeds pushing higher again. A simple bath and brush between grooms costs less, while London and the South East sit well above these figures. Below we break the cost down by size, breed, service type and region, and cover the sensible ways to keep the bill in check.

Dog grooming prices in the UK at a glance

Here is the spread of what owners actually pay for a full groom, drawn from 2026 booking data published by Tuft and NimbleFins:

These are national averages from real bookings, so treat them as the middle of the range rather than a fixed price. A full groom normally includes a bath, blow-dry, haircut, nail clipping and ear cleaning, which is why it costs more than a wash alone.

What’s actually included: full groom vs bath and brush

The single biggest thing that moves the price is which service you book.

A full groom is the complete package: bath, blow-dry, a clip or scissor to shape the coat, nails and ears. It is what most people mean by “getting the dog groomed”, and it is priced by size and coat as above.

A bath and brush skips the cutting. Your dog is washed with a proper dog shampoo and conditioner, blow-dried and thoroughly brushed out, but not clipped or scissored. It costs noticeably less than a full groom and is ideal between full appointments, or for short-coated breeds that never need cutting at all. If you have a Labrador or a whippet, a bath and brush may be all you ever need.

Booking the right service for your dog’s coat is the easiest way to avoid overpaying. Our guide on how often you should groom your dog helps you set a sensible schedule.

Grooming cost by breed and coat type

Size is only half the story; coat type matters just as much. Poodle-cross breeds are the clearest example. Their dense, fast-growing curly coats take longer to clip and de-matt, so they cost more than a short-coated dog of the same size. Recent 2026 data puts a Cockapoo full groom at roughly £49 to £54 and a larger Goldendoodle at around £64 to £78.

Double-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds carry a lot of hair and need a long de-shed, which also adds to the time and the price. Short, smooth coats are the cheapest to maintain. When you get a quote, mention the breed and be honest about how matted the coat is, because a badly tangled coat takes far longer and many groomers charge extra for de-matting.

Grooming prices by region

Where you live shifts the bill noticeably. London prices typically run 20 to 40 per cent above the national averages, and the South East sits high too. In London a full groom can run from around £45 for a small dog to well over £100 for a large or heavy-coated one. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and much of the North of England tend to sit below the national figures. As always, a couple of local quotes tell you far more than any national average.

Mobile versus salon grooming

A mobile groomer who comes to your door usually costs a little more than a salon, because you are paying for the convenience and one-to-one attention in the van. For anxious dogs, elderly dogs, or owners without transport, that premium is often worth it. A salon can be cheaper and suits sociable dogs that cope well with a busier environment. We compare the two in detail in mobile vs salon dog grooming.

How to keep the cost down

• Brush at home between grooms. Regular brushing prevents matting, and a matt-free coat is quicker and cheaper to groom. Matted coats are where surprise charges come from.
• Book the right service. Don’t pay for a full clip if a bath and brush is all the coat needs.
• Keep to a regular schedule. Letting a curly or double coat grow out means longer, pricier appointments and more de-matting.
• Start puppies early. A dog used to grooming is faster and calmer to handle. See our guide to a puppy’s first grooming appointment.
• Get local quotes. Prices vary widely street to street; ask what’s included so you compare like with like. Our questions to ask a mobile dog groomer list helps.

If your dog finds grooming stressful, read grooming an anxious dog before you book, and use how to choose a dog groomer to find someone you trust.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a full dog groom cost in the UK? A full groom averages around £42 for a small dog, £55 for a medium dog and £63 or more for a large one, based on 2026 UK booking data. Heavy-coated and extra-large breeds cost more, and London prices run 20 to 40 per cent above these averages.

Why is grooming a Cockapoo so expensive? Poodle-cross breeds have dense, fast-growing curly coats that take longer to wash, dry, clip and de-matt than a short-coated dog of the same size. A Cockapoo full groom typically costs around £49 to £54, more if the coat is matted. Regular brushing at home keeps the price down.

Is a bath and brush cheaper than a full groom? Yes. A bath and brush skips the clipping and scissoring, so it costs noticeably less than a full groom. It is ideal between full appointments or for short-coated breeds that don’t need cutting, and it keeps the coat healthy without the full price each time.

Does mobile dog grooming cost more than a salon? Usually a little more, because you are paying for the convenience of the groomer coming to you and the one-to-one attention in the van. For anxious or elderly dogs, or owners without transport, many find the premium worth it.

How often should I get my dog groomed? It depends on the coat. Curly and double coats often need a full groom every six to eight weeks, while short-coated breeds may only need the occasional bath. Regular home brushing between appointments reduces both matting and cost.

Why did my groomer charge extra for de-matting? A badly matted coat takes far longer to work through and can be uncomfortable for the dog, so many groomers add a de-matting charge. Brushing regularly at home, and not leaving a curly coat to grow out, is the way to avoid it.