Learn, Find, and Care for Your Dog's Coat
A good groomer and a 10-minute weekly routine keep your dog comfortable, healthy, and easy to live with. This hub covers UK coat types, a 6-step home routine, when to book a pro, and our trusted local partner in NW11.
Start Here
Three ways into UK dog grooming: learn, find a groomer, or book a visit.
Complete Grooming Guide
Coat types, a 6-step home routine, when to book a pro, and what UK grooming actually costs.
Statham's 23 - NW11 Partner
Our trusted North London groomer: 25+ years on Market Place, full groom, wash and dry, puppy intros.
Find a London Groomer
North London coverage: Hampstead, Highgate, Golders Green, Hendon, Finchley, Mill Hill, Edgware, Whetstone.
Grooming Topics
From your first brush at home to a career change, the topics most UK dog owners ask us about.
Grooming at Home
Brush, comb, ears, eyes, nails, bath. A weekly routine that handles most short and medium coats.
Puppy First Groom
After the second vaccination. Short, happy visits to build confidence and a lifetime of easy grooms.
Nail Clipping at Home
How often, the quick, grinder versus clipper, what to do if you cut too far.
How Much Does It Cost?
UK 2026 prices for small, medium, and large dogs. Wash and dry versus full groom.
Become a Dog Groomer
Career paths, realistic salary ranges, City and Guilds qualifications, and where to train.
Find a Local Groomer
Our recommended North London partner, plus what to look for in any UK groomer.
Our Recommended Partner: Statham's 23, NW11
A long-established North London groomer on Market Place in NW11. 25+ years of trusted local dog grooming, full groom, wash and dry, puppy intro visits, and senior dog grooms. If you are in Hampstead, Highgate, Golders Green, Hendon, or Finchley, this is where we send our own friends.
23 Market Pl, London NW11 6JY
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does my dog need to see a professional groomer?
Every 6 to 8 weeks for most breeds. Curly 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 between full grooms. A weekly 10-minute at-home routine keeps the coat in good shape in between.
What is the difference between clipping and hand-stripping?
Clipping cuts the coat with electric clippers, which softens the texture and can change the colour over time. Hand-stripping pulls out the dead outer coat by hand, which keeps a wire coat harsh and weatherproof. Wire-coated breeds like Wire Fox Terriers and most Schnauzers should be hand-stripped, not clipped.
Can I shave my double-coated dog in summer?
No. A double coat insulates against both cold and heat, and shaving it can cause long-term damage to the undercoat. Use an undercoat rake to remove loose hair instead, and keep the dog cool with shade, water, and early-morning or evening walks.
What does a full groom include?
Bath, dry, full cut to breed standard, nails, ears, sanitary trim, and a brush-out. Most UK groomers take 60 to 90 minutes for a medium dog. A wash-and-dry service is shorter and cheaper: bath, towel or fluff dry, ear tidy, and brush out only.
When can a puppy have its first groom?
After the second vaccination, usually around 12 weeks of age. Book a short introductory visit first so the puppy gets used to the sounds, the table, and being handled. Most groomers offer a 15 minute happy visit for puppies. Our recommended partner Statham's 23 in NW11 offers these by appointment.