Most dog owners in the U.S. pay $45–$120 for a full-service groom, with the typical visit landing around $75. What you actually pay comes down to four things: your dog's size, coat type and condition, which services you choose, and whether the groomer comes to you. Here's the full breakdown, including the add-on charges that catch people out.
Average dog grooming prices by size
| Dog size | Full groom (typical) | Bath & brush only |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 25 lb) | $40–$70 | $25–$40 |
| Medium (25–50 lb) | $55–$90 | $35–$55 |
| Large (50–90 lb) | $75–$120 | $45–$70 |
| Extra-large / double-coated | $95–$160+ | $60–$90 |
Ranges reflect typical U.S. pricing in 2026. High-cost metros (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle) commonly run 20–40% above these figures; rural areas often sit 10–20% below.
Why size matters less than you'd think
Size is the number most salons quote from, but it's a proxy for the thing that actually drives cost: time. A 70 lb Labrador with a short, healthy coat can be bathed, dried and finished faster than a 12 lb Shih Tzu with a matted face and feet. That's why two dogs of identical weight can be quoted $60 and $110 at the same shop.
If you want to predict your price accurately, think in terms of how long your dog will occupy a table and a dryer. Coat length, coat density, mat load and temperament all add minutes, and minutes are what you're paying for.
Price by coat type
| Coat type | Example breeds | Typical full groom |
|---|---|---|
| Short / smooth | Beagle, Boxer, Pug, French Bulldog | $35–$60 |
| Double-coated | Husky, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Samoyed | $70–$140 |
| Curly / non-shedding | Poodle, Bichon, Doodles | $70–$130 |
| Silky long | Yorkie, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Havanese | $55–$95 |
| Wire / hand-stripped | Schnauzer, Terriers | $70–$150 |
Curly and double coats are the two expensive categories, for opposite reasons. Curly coats mat close to the skin and need methodical line-brushing before any clipper touches them. Double coats hold enormous volume of undercoat that has to be blown and raked out — the drying stage alone can take 45 minutes on a Samoyed.
What's included in a "full groom"?
A standard full-service groom usually bundles:
- Bath with shampoo and conditioner
- High-velocity blow-dry and full brush-out
- Haircut, breed trim or tidy
- Nail trim (sometimes grinding for a smoother finish)
- Ear cleaning and hair removal where relevant
- Sanitary trim, paw pad trim, face tidy
- Often a bandana, bow or light cologne
Always confirm before booking. Some shops advertise a low "bath" price and then charge for each element separately, which is how a $45 quote becomes $85 at the till. Ask specifically: "Does that price include nails, ears and a haircut?"
Add-on services and what they cost
| Service | Typical add-on cost |
|---|---|
| Nail trim only (walk-in) | $10–$25 |
| Nail grinding / Dremel | $5–$15 on top of a trim |
| Teeth brushing | $10–$20 |
| De-shedding treatment | $20–$60 |
| Flea & tick bath | $15–$35 |
| Anal gland expression | $10–$20 |
| Medicated or oatmeal shampoo | $10–$25 |
| Dematting (per 15 min) | $15–$30 |
| Blueberry facial / spa upgrade | $8–$20 |
The matting surcharge — the biggest surprise on most bills
Dematting is the single most common reason a quote goes up on the day. Most salons charge in 15-minute increments, and a badly matted small dog can add $30–$90 to the bill.
Groomers are also bound by humane handling standards. If mats are tight to the skin, the correct and often the only safe option is to shave beneath them. A groomer who tells you your Doodle has to be shaved down is not upselling you — they're avoiding hours of brush-out that would genuinely hurt your dog. Skin under heavy matting is often already inflamed.
The way to avoid this charge entirely is brushing properly between appointments — right down to the skin, not just over the top of the coat.
Mobile grooming vs salon pricing
Mobile grooming typically adds $30–$50 over the equivalent salon price, and sometimes more in dense urban areas where parking is difficult.
What you're buying for that premium is genuine: no car journey, no crate, no waiting in a room full of barking dogs, one-to-one attention, and usually a fixed one to two hour appointment rather than a four-hour day. For anxious dogs, senior dogs, reactive dogs and multi-dog households, it's frequently the better value option even though the sticker price is higher. See our full comparison.
What it costs per year
The per-visit price matters less than the annual total, which depends on how often your dog needs doing.
| Coat type | Typical schedule | Visits/year | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short / smooth | Every 8–12 weeks | 4–6 | $150–$350 |
| Double-coated | Every 8–12 weeks + seasonal blowouts | 4–6 | $300–$800 |
| Silky long | Every 4–6 weeks | 9–13 | $550–$1,200 |
| Curly / Doodle | Every 4–6 weeks | 9–13 | $700–$1,600 |
This is the figure worth knowing before you choose a breed. A Poodle or Doodle is realistically a four-figure annual grooming commitment for its entire life. That's not a reason to avoid one, but it is a reason to budget for one.
Nine ways to genuinely lower the cost
- Brush at home, properly. The single biggest lever. No mats means no dematting fee and a faster, cheaper groom.
- Book a standing appointment. Many salons discount 5–10% for a recurring slot, and a dog on a regular schedule never reaches the expensive condition.
- Ask for a bath-and-tidy between full grooms. Roughly half the price and extends the interval.
- Learn to do nails yourself. A $15 grinder pays for itself in two months.
- Go midweek. Tuesday to Thursday slots are often cheaper and easier to get.
- Skip the spa add-ons. Blueberry facials and cologne are margin, not hygiene.
- Take the shave-down when it's offered. Cheaper now, and it resets a coat you've lost control of.
- Try a grooming school. Student clinics charge 40–60% less, supervised by instructors. Longer appointments, real savings.
- Don't stretch the interval too far. False economy — a coat left twice as long costs more than twice as much to fix.
Should you tip?
Yes, and 15–20% is the norm in the U.S. Grooming is skilled, physical work, and most groomers are paid on commission. See how much to tip a dog groomer for the details.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Doodle so expensive to groom?
Doodle coats combine the density of a Poodle with the length of a Retriever, and most owners underestimate how quickly they mat. A Doodle groom is genuinely 90–150 minutes of skilled work. The price reflects the time.
Is it cheaper to groom my dog at home?
For nails, brushing and basic tidying, absolutely. For a full haircut on a curly or long coat, the equipment (a decent clipper, high-velocity dryer, table and shears) runs $400–$800 before you've learned the skill. It pays off over years, not months.
Why did the price go up from last time?
Usually coat condition. A dog that arrives matted, or that has grown significantly, takes longer. Ask the groomer to show you where the mats were — most are happy to, and it tells you where to concentrate your brushing.
Do puppies cost less?
Often slightly, because they're small and the first visits are short. See your puppy's first grooming for what to expect.
Prices are typical U.S. ranges for 2026 and vary considerably by region, salon and individual dog. Always confirm the total, including likely add-ons, when you book.