Quick answer: In 2026, a full groom in the UK costs £40 to £110+ depending on dog size, coat, and region. Wash and dry services run £25 to £60. London prices sit at the top of these ranges, typically 20 to 30% above other UK regions. The biggest price drivers are coat condition (matted = more), breed (hand-stripping costs more), and size.
UK dog grooming price ranges in 2026
The table below is a realistic 2026 band for working UK salons. London sits at the top of the band; other regions sit lower. Your quote will vary by coat, condition, and breed.
| Dog size | Wash and dry | Full groom | Add-ons (nail, teeth, de-shed) | |----------|--------------|------------|--------------------------------| | Small (Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon, small Terrier) | £20 to £35 | £35 to £55 | £5 to £15 | | Medium (Cocker Spaniel, Cockapoo, Cavalier) | £25 to £45 | £50 to £75 | £5 to £20 | | Large (Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle, Labrador) | £35 to £60 | £70 to £110 | £10 to £25 | | XL (Newfoundland, Giant Schnauzer, Saint Bernard) | £45 to £80 | £90 to £150+ | £10 to £30 |
A "full groom" usually includes bath, blow-dry, brush-out, clip or trim to a chosen style, nails, ear tidy, and sanitary trim. A "wash and dry" is bath and blow-dry only, with no clip.
What drives the price
Four factors explain most of the variation between a £40 groom and a £110 groom.
1. Coat type and condition. A smooth-coated Staffy in good condition is the cheapest groom in the salon. A matted Cocker Spaniel, a hand-stripping Wire Fox Terrier, or a curly Cockapoo in need of a demat is at the top of the band. Severe matting can add £20 to £50 to a standard groom, because the demat work adds 30 to 60 minutes and uses a fresh set of clipper blades.
2. Breed and cut. Hand-stripping is a specialist technique for wire-coated breeds. Most salons charge £20 to £40 more than a clip because it takes twice as long. Breed-standard trims (Poodle, Schnauzer, Bichon) take longer and cost more than a pet trim.
3. Size. Larger dogs need more drying time, more shampoo, more clipper work. A Standard Poodle full groom is twice the work of a Miniature Poodle full groom.
4. Region. London and the South East run 20 to 30% above other UK regions, mainly because of rent and wage costs in working salons. Rural Wales, the North East, and parts of Scotland sit at the lower end.
Saving money without losing quality
A few practical moves keep the cost down without cutting corners.
Book a 6 to 8 week cycle. Letting the coat grow to 12 or 16 weeks means a longer, harder groom. Regular short cycles are cheaper overall.
Maintain at home between visits. A weekly 10 to 20 minute brush-out and comb-through is the single biggest cost saver. See our home grooming guide for the full routine.
Combine wash and dry with a full groom. Full groom every 8 weeks, wash and dry at week 4. This keeps the coat clean and tangle-free without the cost of a full groom every month.
Ask about loyalty pricing. Many UK salons offer a "buy 5 grooms, get the 6th free" card, or a subscription at 10 to 15% off. Our recommended North London partner Statham's 23 offers both.
Skip the add-ons you do not need. Premium add-ons (teeth brushing, de-shed, blueberry facial) typically add £5 to £20 each.
How Pets at Home groom room fits in
The Pets at Home groom room is the dominant national chain for entry-level grooming in the UK. Prices are usually 10 to 20% below independent salons, with a basic small-dog full groom starting at around £25 to £30 and a full groom package (full groom plus extra brush-outs) at £45 to £65.
The trade-off is volume. Pets at Home groom rooms run multiple dogs in parallel and are well-priced for owners who want a standard cut on a cooperative dog. For nervous, senior, or hand-stripping breeds, an independent one-dog-at-a-time salon is usually a better fit. The independent route typically costs £10 to £20 more per visit but the time and attention is materially different.
When a higher price is worth it
A higher groom price is worth paying in three situations:
- The coat is matted or has been neglected. A skilled demat takes 60 to 90 minutes and uses a fresh set of clipper blades. Studios that quote low for a matted coat are usually either rushing the job or skipping the demat.
- The breed needs hand-stripping. A clip on a wire-coated breed softens the coat and changes the colour over time. A proper hand-strip is twice the work and worth the extra £20 to £40.
- The dog is anxious, senior, or reactive. A quiet studio with one dog at a time and a slow pace is the only humane option. Studios that can offer this charge more, and the premium is fair.
For a sense of what a typical full groom appointment looks like end to end, see our complete grooming guide or our recommended Statham's 23 in NW11.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full dog groom cost in the UK in 2026?
Around £40 to £110+ for a full groom, depending on size, coat, breed, and region. Small short-coated dogs sit at the lower end, large curly or hand-stripping dogs at the upper end.
Why is dog grooming more expensive in London?
London salons run 20 to 30% above the rest of the UK, mainly because rent and wages are higher. A typical small-dog full groom in London is £50 to £70; in other regions the same groom is £35 to £55.
How often should I get my dog professionally groomed?
Every 6 to 8 weeks for most breeds. Curly, double, and hand-stripping breeds may need a visit every 4 to 6 weeks. Smooth and short-coated breeds can stretch to 10 to 12 weeks.
What is included in a full groom?
Bath, blow-dry, brush-out, clip or trim to a chosen style, nails, ear tidy, and sanitary trim. Most UK full grooms take 60 to 90 minutes for a small to medium dog.
Looking for a trusted North London groomer? Our recommended partner Statham's 23 is on Market Place in NW11.
Complete UK dog grooming guide Dog grooming at home Puppy first groom Statham's 23, NW11 Find a London groomer