MyHow Much Does Dog Grooming Cost
Dog grooming in the US costs about $40 to $110 per session in 2026, depending on the size of the dog and the coat. A small short haired dog often costs $40 to $60 per session, a medium dog often costs $50 to $80, and a large dog often costs $70 to $110. A Poodle or a Doodle with a curly coat often costs $80 to $140 per session, because the cut takes longer. A nail trim alone costs $15 to $25, and a bath only visit costs $30 to $50. Most dogs need grooming every 6 to 12 weeks, so the yearly cost is about $200 to $900.
Grooming is not just a haircut. A full grooming session usually includes a bath, a brush out, a cut or trim, a nail trim, ear cleaning, and a check for skin problems, lumps, and parasites. A groomer often spots a skin infection, an ear infection, or a lump before you do, and early treatment is cheaper than late treatment. In Semrush in Nov 2026, dog grooming cost had 1,300 searches a month in the US at KD 27 percent, and how much does dog grooming cost had 880 searches a month at KD 20 percent. This page answers both with prices by size, breed, and coat type, plus the cost of doing it yourself.
Every price here is a range checked in Nov 2026. Published sources disagree because the price depends on the groomer, the location, and the condition of the coat. A matted coat costs more, because the groomer must spend extra time brushing it out or shaving it. A city groomer charges more than a rural groomer. Mobile grooming, where the groomer comes to your home in a van, costs more than a salon, often by $20 to $50 per session, but it saves you travel time and it is calmer for nervous dogs.
Dog grooming cost by size
| Dog size | Full groom per session | Per year, every 8 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Small, under 10 kg | $40 to $60 | $260 to $390 |
| Medium, 10 to 25 kg | $50 to $80 | $325 to $520 |
| Large, 25 to 40 kg | $70 to $110 | $455 to $715 |
| Very large, over 40 kg | $90 to $140 | $585 to $910 |
| Typical range, most dogs | $40 to $110 | $260 to $715 |
Size matters because a large dog takes longer to wash, dry, and cut, and uses more shampoo and more water. A small dog can be groomed in about 1 hour, while a large dog can take 2 to 3 hours. If your dog is nervous, aggressive, or very matted, the groomer may charge extra, often $10 to $30 per session, because the job takes longer and needs more staff.
Dog grooming cost by breed and coat type
Coat type matters as much as size. A short haired dog, such as a Beagle or a French Bulldog, needs little grooming. A bath and a nail trim every 8 to 12 weeks costs about $30 to $60 per session. A medium coated dog, such as a Golden Retriever or a German Shepherd, needs brushing and a bath every 6 to 8 weeks, at $60 to $110 per session. A long coated dog, such as a Shih Tzu or a Yorkshire Terrier, needs a cut every 6 weeks, at $50 to $90 per session. A curly coated dog, such as a Poodle or a Doodle, needs the most grooming, at $80 to $140 per session every 4 to 6 weeks, because the coat mats fast if it is not brushed daily.
Check the breed guides for the grooming cost of your breed. Our Poodle cost guide gives grooming at $720 to $2,160 a year for a Standard Poodle, which is the highest grooming cost in this set. Our Golden Retriever cost guide gives grooming at $60 to $110 per session, and our French Bulldog cost guide gives grooming at $30 to $60 per session, because the coat is short and easy.
What is included in a full groom
A full groom usually includes a bath with shampoo, a brush out, a cut or trim to the breed standard or to the length you ask for, a nail trim, ear cleaning, and a check for fleas, ticks, skin problems, and lumps. Some groomers include teeth brushing, paw balm, and a de shedding treatment for an extra $10 to $25. Ask what is included before you book, because a cheap groom that excludes a nail trim and ear cleaning can cost more in total once those are added. A good groomer will also tell you if your dog has a skin problem, an ear infection, or a lump that needs a vet visit, and that advice alone can save you money.
How often does a dog need grooming
Most dogs need a full groom every 6 to 12 weeks. Short haired dogs need grooming every 8 to 12 weeks, mainly for a bath and a nail trim. Medium and long coated dogs need grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Curly coated dogs need grooming every 4 to 6 weeks, because the coat mats fast. Nails need a trim every 3 to 4 weeks, and ears need a check every week for dogs with floppy ears, such as Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers. Brushing at home 2 to 3 times a week keeps the coat in good condition between grooms, and it makes each groom cheaper, because the groomer spends less time brushing out mats.
Grooming at home versus a groomer
Grooming at home costs less per session but takes your time and needs the right tools. A good brush, shampoo, nail clippers, and a dryer cost about $75 to $150 to buy, and they last a year or more. After that, a home groom costs about $5 to $10 in shampoo and supplies. A professional groom costs $40 to $110 per session but takes no time from you, and the groomer has the skill, the table, and the dryer to do the job well. Most owners do a mix. They brush at home 2 to 3 times a week, bath their dog at home between grooms, and use a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks for the cut, the nail trim, and the ear cleaning.
Do not shave a double coated dog, such as a German Shepherd, a Golden Retriever, or a Husky, unless your vet advises it. The double coat protects against heat and cold, and shaving can damage the coat and make shedding worse. If you groom at home, learn the technique from your groomer first, because a bad cut can nick the skin, and a matted coat can hide a skin infection that needs a vet.
Other grooming costs
A nail trim alone costs $15 to $25 at a groomer, and $10 to $20 at a vet. A bath only visit costs $30 to $50. Teeth cleaning at a groomer costs $25 to $50, but a dental cleaning under anaesthetic at a vet costs $300 to $800, and that is the real dental cost to budget for. Flea treatment is not part of grooming, and it costs $25 to $45 a month for a dog. A de shedding treatment costs $10 to $25 extra per session, and a flea bath costs $10 to $20 extra. If your dog is matted, the groomer may charge $10 to $30 extra, or may need to shave the coat, which costs more and looks worse than a regular cut. Brush your dog at home to avoid that extra cost.
Dog grooming cost in the UK
In the UK in 2026, dog grooming costs about £30 to £80 per session, depending on size and coat. A small short haired dog often costs £30 to £45, a medium dog £40 to £60, and a large dog £55 to £80. A Poodle or a Doodle often costs £60 to £100 per session. A nail trim alone costs £10 to £20, and a bath only visit costs £20 to £40. London and the south east are the most expensive regions. Mobile grooming costs more, often by £15 to £30 per session.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dog grooming cost per session?
About $40 to $110 in the US in 2026, depending on size and coat. A small short haired dog costs $40 to $60, and a large curly coated dog costs $80 to $140.
How often should I groom my dog?
Every 6 to 12 weeks for most dogs. Short haired dogs need grooming every 8 to 12 weeks, and curly coated dogs need grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
Can I groom my dog at home to save money?
Yes. A brush, shampoo, and nail clippers cost about $75 to $150 to buy, and a home groom then costs about $5 to $10 in supplies. Most owners do a mix, brushing at home and using a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks for the cut.
Why does grooming cost more for a Poodle?
Because the curly coat mats fast, the cut takes longer, and the groomer needs more skill. A Standard Poodle groom costs $80 to $140 per session, and the yearly grooming cost can reach $720 to $2,160.
What is included in a full groom?
Usually a bath, a brush out, a cut or trim, a nail trim, and ear cleaning. Ask before you book, because some groomers charge extra for teeth brushing, de shedding, or flea treatment.
Related guides and calculators
Sources and how we priced this
Prices in this guide are ranges, not single facts, because published sources disagree. We used the American Pet Products Association 2025 and 2026 industry figures, Rover 2026 cost of dog ownership reports, the PDSA PAW Report and PDSA cost guides for the UK, the American Animal Hospital Association and the National Research Council feeding guidance, and published insurer and vet price lists in the US and the UK. All prices were checked in Nov 2026 and are shown in US dollars unless a UK section says pounds. Where a source gave one number, we widened it into a range to reflect size, breed and location.