Illustrative stock photograph, not a DPR test or a record of the service or provider priced here.
Dog Grooming Cost UK: Published Prices and Quote Checklist
Two London salon tariffs checked in September 2026, what their grooming prices include, and how to budget for your own dog's coat without invented UK averages.
Published price snapshot
| Service / tier | Published price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City Paws, Muswell Hill: small long-haired full groom | From £65 | Published starting fee; not a fixed quote |
| City Paws: medium long-haired full groom, including Cockapoo/Cavapoo | From £70 | Bath and blow-dry alone listed at £40 |
| City Paws: large long-haired full groom | From £80 | Bath and blow-dry alone listed at £50 |
| Just Barking, NW10: small Cockapoo/Cavapoo full groom | From £65 | Dog assessed before expected fee is confirmed |
| Just Barking: medium–large Cockapoo/Cavapoo full groom | From £70 | Coat condition and handling time affect the quote |
These are named, published salon examples, not a UK average. We checked two London price lists on 21 September 2026: both advertise Cockapoo/Cavapoo full grooms from £65 or £70 depending on the salon's size category. The actual quote can be higher. A small London convenience sample cannot establish a national price, a regional premium or the quality of either service.
What the two price lists actually include
City Paws in Muswell Hill lists long-haired full grooms from £65 for its small category, £70 for medium and £80 for large. The listed service includes bathing, drying, brushing, styling, hygiene trim, nails and ear cleaning. Its separate bath-and-blow-dry prices are £35, £40 and £50 respectively. Those are different jobs, not interchangeable prices.
Just Barking in NW10 lists small Cockapoo/Cavapoo full grooms from £65 and medium–large ones from £70. It says size, coat condition, temperament and time affect the final fee, confirmed after a pre-groom consultation. Its published hand-stripping supplement is £20–£40; do not assume that procedure is appropriate for your dog's coat.
Ask for a quote against the actual coat
Send the groomer current photographs, approximate weight, the last groom date, desired finish and a candid account of tangles or handling difficulties. Ask whether the estimate is a starting price or a capped quote and when they will call before extra work. A breed name alone does not tell the salon how long the appointment needs.
Confirm what is included: bath, drying, brushing, body trim, hygiene work, nails and any separately charged services. Do not assume every salon performs the same package, that medical procedures belong in it, or that a low fee is evidence of poor care.
Work out the recurring bill
Use your agreed fee and the schedule your groomer recommends. As an arithmetic example only, £70 per appointment × 8 appointments is £560 a year; × 10 is £700. Neither number is a recommended interval or a forecast of your dog's cost. Add genuinely needed between-visit appointments and travel, then compare with the annual total of any membership including cancellation terms.
Home brushing is maintenance, not a savings guarantee
PDSA grooming guidance makes coat type and length relevant to care and advises professional help for matting. There is no evidence here that a ten-minute routine prevents almost all mats or that buying a washer replaces a fixed percentage of a salon service.
Ask your groomer to demonstrate a comfortable maintenance routine for the actual coat. Stop if brushing hurts or the skin is sore; do not cut close-to-skin mats with scissors. Use the doodle brushing decision guide and brush format comparison to prepare questions, not to self-treat a matted coat.
Limits of this comparison
We did not visit, mystery-shop or book either salon, assess qualifications, inspect welfare practices or verify appointment availability. The fees are public-price observations, not endorsements. Obtain a current written quote locally before booking.