How Much Does Dog Grooming Cost? (2026)

What Does Dog Grooming Cost in 2026?

The average cost of a full dog grooming session in the United States is $50 to $75, though prices range from $25 for a basic bath on a small dog to $200+ for a full groom on a large or high-maintenance breed. What you pay depends primarily on your dog's size, coat type, and the services included.

Here is a quick summary by dog size:

Dog Size	Bath & Brush	Full Groom (Bath + Haircut)
Small (under 20 lbs)	$25-50	$45-80
Medium (20-50 lbs)	$40-65	$55-100
Large (50-80 lbs)	$55-85	$75-130
Extra Large (80+ lbs)	$70-110	$100-175

Grooming Costs by Service

Most groomers offer individual services or packages. Here is what each service typically costs on its own:

Service	Average Cost	Range
Bath, blow-dry, and brush-out	$40	$25-65
Full haircut / breed-standard trim	$55	$35-90
Nail trimming	$15	$10-25
Nail grinding (Dremel)	$18	$12-28
Ear cleaning	$12	$8-20
Teeth brushing	$12	$8-18
De-shedding treatment	$25	$15-40
Flea/tick bath	$20	$12-35
Anal gland expression	$15	$10-25
Dematting (per 15 min)	$20	$12-30

A typical "full groom" package includes bath, blow-dry, brush-out, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, and sometimes teeth brushing. Buying the package is almost always cheaper than ordering each service individually.

Grooming Costs by Breed

Breed matters more than size for grooming costs because coat type determines how much work is involved:

Breed	Full Groom Cost	Recommended Frequency	Annual Cost
Goldendoodle / Labradoodle	$80-150	Every 6-8 weeks	$560-1,300
Poodle (Standard)	$75-120	Every 4-6 weeks	$650-1,560
Shih Tzu	$55-90	Every 4-6 weeks	$475-1,170
Golden Retriever	$55-90	Every 8-12 weeks	$275-585
Siberian Husky	$65-110	Every 8-12 weeks	$325-715
German Shepherd	$60-100	Every 8-12 weeks	$300-650
Labrador Retriever	$45-75	Every 8-12 weeks	$225-490
French Bulldog	$40-60	Every 8-12 weeks	$200-390
Yorkshire Terrier	$50-80	Every 4-6 weeks	$430-1,040
Chihuahua (smooth coat)	$30-45	Every 8-12 weeks	$150-290

Doodle and Poodle mixes are consistently the most expensive breeds to groom because their curly, fast-growing coats mat easily and require skilled scissor work. Short-coated breeds like French Bulldogs and Chihuahuas are the least expensive.

Grooming Costs by Location

Where you live affects grooming prices significantly:

City	Full Groom Average	Range
New York City	$85	$55-150
San Francisco	$80	$50-140
Los Angeles	$70	$45-120
Chicago	$65	$40-110
Seattle	$70	$45-115
Denver	$65	$40-105
Philadelphia	$60	$38-100
Houston	$55	$35-90
Austin	$60	$38-95
Atlanta	$55	$35-95

Types of Dog Groomers Compared

Where you take your dog also affects the price:

Groomer Type	Full Groom Cost	Pros	Cons
Local grooming salon	$45-80	Most affordable, consistent quality	Drop-off wait times, shared space
Mobile groomer (comes to you)	$65-120	No transport, one-on-one attention	30-50% more expensive
Big-box store (Petco, PetSmart)	$40-75	Convenient, packages available	High turnover, assembly-line feel
Self-service dog wash	$12-25	Cheapest option by far	You do all the work, no haircut

Mobile groomers are the most expensive option but offer convenience and individual attention that can be worth it for anxious dogs or dogs that do not do well in a salon environment with other animals.

How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?

Grooming frequency depends on your dog's coat type. Here is a general guide:

• Every 4-6 weeks — Curly and long coats (Poodles, Doodles, Shih Tzus, Yorkies). These coats mat quickly and need regular trimming to stay manageable.
• Every 6-8 weeks — Medium-length coats (Cocker Spaniels, Cavaliers, Australian Shepherds). Regular grooming prevents tangles and keeps the coat healthy.
• Every 8-12 weeks — Short coats and double coats (Labs, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds). These dogs need less frequent grooming but benefit from de-shedding treatments seasonally.
• Nails — Every 3-4 weeks regardless of coat type. Most dogs need more frequent nail trims than full grooms.

What Affects the Price of Dog Grooming?

• Coat condition — A matted coat takes significantly longer to groom. Severe matting may require a full shave-down and can add $20-60 to the bill. Regular grooming keeps costs predictable.
• Dog behavior — Dogs that are anxious, aggressive, or difficult to handle may incur an additional $10-25 surcharge. Groomers need extra time and sometimes a second handler.
• Coat type — Curly coats (Poodles, Doodles) and double coats (Huskies, Shepherds) both require specialized techniques that cost more than grooming a smooth-coated dog.
• Age — Senior dogs and puppies may need gentler handling and more frequent breaks, which adds time and can increase cost by $5-15.
• Add-on treatments — De-shedding, flea treatments, special shampoos, and teeth brushing all add to the base price.

Annual Grooming Budget by Dog Type

Here is what to budget annually for regular professional grooming:

Dog Type	Groom Frequency	Per Visit	Annual Cost
Low-maintenance (Lab, short-coat)	Every 10 weeks (5x/year)	$50	$250
Medium-maintenance (Golden, Shepherd)	Every 8 weeks (7x/year)	$70	$490
High-maintenance (Doodle, Poodle)	Every 6 weeks (9x/year)	$100	$900
Very high-maintenance (show Poodle)	Every 4 weeks (13x/year)	$120	$1,560

How to Save Money on Dog Grooming

• Maintain the coat between grooms — Brushing your dog 2-3 times per week prevents matting, which is the single biggest cost driver. A mat-free dog takes less time and costs less to groom.
• Book on a regular schedule — Many groomers offer recurring client discounts of 5-10%. A consistent schedule also prevents coat issues that increase costs.
• Skip the extras you can do at home — Teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and nail filing are easy to learn and save $15-30 per visit.
• Try a self-service dog wash — At $12-25 per visit, self-service stations are the cheapest way to keep your dog clean between professional grooms.
• Ask for a bath-only appointment — If your dog does not need a haircut, a bath and brush-out costs 40-50% less than a full groom.
• Get a puppy used to grooming early — Dogs that are comfortable with the grooming process are faster and easier to groom, which keeps costs lower over their lifetime.

Find a Pet Groomer on HeyDog

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Prices and information in this article are based on publicly available data from grooming salons, pet care platforms, and industry surveys. Actual rates vary by location, groomer, and your dog's specific needs. Last updated February 2026.