Dog grooming budget: salon or at home, how much does it cost?
A dog’s grooming budget ranges from 40 € a year for a short coat maintained at home to over 600 € for a poodle or a bichon seen at the salon every six to eight weeks. A salon session costs 35 to 90 € depending on size and coat; a complete home kit pays for itself within two to three sessions. Here is how to work out your own case, with the backing of the dog care and grooming section.
How much does a grooming session cost at the salon?
Prices depend on size, coat type and the coat’s condition: 35 to 50 € for a small short-haired dog, 45 to 70 € for a medium long-haired one, 60 to 90 € for a large dog or a breed needing technical clipping (poodle, cocker spaniel). A matted coat incurs a dematting surcharge of 10 to 30 €. Nail trimming alone is billed at 5 to 15 €, a simple bath at 20 to 35 €.
What yearly dog grooming budget should you plan by coat?
- Short coat (boxer, beagle): home brushing, one or two baths a year: 30 to 60 €/year.
- Double coat (shepherd, husky): frequent brushing, 1 to 2 salon visits at moulting time: 80 to 180 €/year.
- Continuously growing coat (poodle, bichon, shih tzu): salon every 6 to 8 weeks: 300 to 650 €/year.
- Wire coat (terriers): hand-stripping 2 to 4 times a year: 150 to 350 €/year.
Is home grooming really economical?
Yes, if your dog’s coat lends itself to it. A decent kit (suitable brush, dog shampoo, towels, nail clippers) comes to 40 to 80 €, paid off in two salon sessions. Nail trimming is perfectly doable yourself with the right method, detailed in our guide to trimming your dog’s nails. On the other hand, the technical clipping of a poodle or the stripping of a wire coat demand real expertise: done badly, they damage the coat for months.
How do you cut the bill without neglecting the dog?
The main lever is regular brushing at home: a coat that never mats avoids dematting surcharges and lets you space out appointments. Also alternate services: a full groom every other visit, a bath-and-brush in between. Finally, start the puppy early: a dog that accepts handling is groomed faster, and some salons charge less for it. Any abnormal hair loss, redness or strong odour is a matter for the vet, not the groomer.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you wash your dog?
Every 4 to 8 weeks at most for routine maintenance, with a dog shampoo only: too many baths strip the skin’s protective film.
Is grooming covered by pet insurance?
No, apart from rare prevention packages that cover a few dozen euros a year. Grooming remains a maintenance item to budget separately.
Does a short-haired dog need the salon?
Rarely: weekly brushing and occasional baths are enough. Find all our guides on the dog hub.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.