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By Michael Gonzales · Updated October 22, 2026
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Dog grooming costs about $62 for a small dog, $77 for a medium dog, $95 for a large dog and $120 for a giant breed, on average, according to Bark's 2026 price guide. Thumbtack puts most sessions at $79 to $136. Coat type counts too, so a poodle or doodle usually costs more than a beagle.
Find dog groomers near you on iPetzo and compare a few quotes. Prices are set by each groomer.
How much does dog grooming cost by size?
The national average is about $100 a groom, with small dogs averaging $62 and giant breeds $120, per Bark (updated February 18, 2026).
| Dog size | Average price | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $62 | $25 – $100 |
| Medium | $77 | $35 – $120 |
| Large | $95 | $50 – $140 |
| Giant | $120 | $60 – $180 |
Source: Bark, 2026 dog grooming price guide, based on its own data and research.
Other sources give similar numbers. Thumbtack (updated October 2025) says most sessions cost $79 to $136, with a national average of $104. Find My Kennel checked the lowest advertised price at 1,294 grooming shops in June 2026 and found a national median of $65 a groom.
How much does dog grooming cost by breed?
Breed matters mostly because of the coat. Bark groups prices like this:
| Coat type | Example breeds | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Short, smooth | Beagles, Boxers, Bulldogs | $25 – $40 small, $35 – $50 medium, $50 – $70 large |
| Medium-length | Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds | $50 – $75 for medium to large dogs |
| Long | Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Afghan Hounds | $70 – $140 or more |
| Curly | Poodles, Doodles, Bichons | $80 – $120 or more, even for small and medium dogs |
Source: Bark. Curly coats cost more because they need skilled cutting and regular upkeep.
High-maintenance coats add up over a year. Rover's 2026 Cost of Dog Parenthood (updated May 15, 2026) says owners of breeds like a Havanese or a large Poodle should budget $300 to $975 a year for professional grooming.
How much is a bath vs. a full groom?
A bath-only visit costs much less than a full groom, because it skips the haircut. On Rover, where each groomer sets their own price, a full groom averages $86 for a small dog and $211 for an extra-large dog. A bath only averages $51 and $138.
| Service on Rover | Small dog | Extra-large dog |
|---|---|---|
| Full groom | $86 | $211 |
| Bath only | $51 | $138 |
Source: Rover's grooming FAQ, checked October 20, 2026. Rover is piloting grooming in a few metro areas, including Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix.
What a full groom usually includes: Rover lists a bath, blow-dry, brush-out, haircut or trim and nail trim. Thumbtack says a standard groom often adds ear cleaning and teeth brushing. A bath-and-brush skips the haircut.
How much do PetSmart groomers charge?
PetSmart doesn't post one national price list. Its grooming FAQ says base package prices depend on your dog's breed, the condition of the coat and the length of the service.
To see a price, you pick your dog's breed and age on PetSmart's booking page, and it shows estimated prices for each service. You can also call your local salon. A few other things PetSmart says:
- A groom usually takes 3 to 4 hours.
- A nail trim takes about 15 minutes, and no appointment is needed when the salon has room.
- Dogs need proof of a current rabies vaccination.
What do grooming add-ons cost?
Extras can push a basic groom well past the averages above. Bark lists these typical add-on prices:
| Add-on | Typical extra cost |
|---|---|
| Severe matting | $50 – $100 or more |
| Haircut on top of a bath | $50 – $100 or more |
| Specialty shampoo | $10 – $30 |
| Anal gland expression | $10 – $15 |
| Teeth brushing | $10 – $12 |
| Nail grinding instead of clipping | $5 – $15 |
| Anxious or hard-to-handle dog | 20% – 50% more |
Source: Bark. Matting is the biggest cost driver on its list.
Does where you live change the price?
Yes. Find My Kennel's June 2026 data (the median of each shop's lowest advertised price) put the highest state medians in Massachusetts ($80), California ($75) and New Jersey ($75). The lowest were Arkansas ($35), Iowa ($40) and Michigan ($50).
Bark says grooming in major metro areas can cost 30% to 50% more than in smaller towns. It also says mobile groomers, who bring a grooming van to your home, typically charge 20% to 30% more than salons. You can compare mobile pet groomers on iPetzo.
How often should you get your dog groomed?
PetSmart suggests a groom or bath about every four to six weeks, at home or with a professional. Rover's 2026 report says a high-maintenance dog needs a professional groom every 8 to 12 weeks.
So a curly-coated dog that goes every eight weeks needs six or seven grooms a year. Multiply that by your groomer's quote to get a yearly number.
How much should you tip a dog groomer?
Most people tip 15% to 20%, according to Thumbtack. On a $70 groom, that's about $10.50 to $14. Thumbtack says the tip depends on how happy you are with the results and how hard your dog was to handle.
How can you save on dog grooming?
- Brush between visits. Bark says regular grooming prevents matting, its biggest cost driver. Rover's grooming guide says long, curly and wavy coats need brushing daily, and a slicker brush like the Safari self-cleaning slicker brush works on those coats.
- Keep a regular schedule. Bark says costs climb when a coat goes six months or more between grooms.
- Ask about packages. Bark says packages or memberships can cost 10% to 20% less than booking one visit at a time.
- Do the small jobs yourself. You can trim nails at home between grooms. See our dog nail clipper guide and the grooming gear list.
- Wash them yourself. A self-serve dog wash gives you a tub, water and a place to make a mess that isn't your bathroom. For a dog with itchy or sensitive skin, see our dog shampoo guide.
Grooming a cat? iPetzo also lists cat groomers.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay for a dog groom? About $62 for a small dog, $77 for a medium dog, $95 for a large dog and $120 for a giant breed, on average, per Bark. Thumbtack says most sessions cost $79 to $136.
How much does basic dog grooming cost? A bath-only visit on Rover averages $51 for a small dog and $138 for an extra-large dog. For short-coated breeds like beagles, Bark puts a groom at $25 to $40 for small dogs and $50 to $70 for large ones.
How much do you tip a $70 dog groomer? About $10.50 to $14, based on the 15% to 20% that Thumbtack says most people tip.
How much do PetSmart groomers charge? PetSmart sets prices by breed, coat condition and length of service. Pick your dog's breed and age on its booking page to see estimated prices, or call your local salon.
Why does grooming a doodle cost more? Curly coats need skilled cutting and regular upkeep. Bark puts poodles, doodles and bichons at $80 to $120 or more, even at small and medium sizes.
Is mobile dog grooming more expensive? Usually. Bark says mobile groomers typically charge 20% to 30% more than salon groomers.
Sources
Bark: Dog grooming costs 2026 (updated Feb 18, 2026) · Thumbtack: Dog grooming prices (updated Oct 2025) · Find My Kennel: Dog grooming cost by state (June 2026, revised Sep 23, 2026) · Rover: The cost of dog parenthood in 2026 (updated May 15, 2026) · Rover: Pet grooming FAQ · Rover: How to groom your dog · PetSmart: Dog grooming FAQ. Checked October 20, 2026.