The number one question new groomers ask: “What should I charge?” And the number one mistake they make is charging the same price for every dog regardless of breed, size, and coat condition.
A Chihuahua bath takes 20 minutes. A matted Standard Poodle full groom takes 3 hours. If you charge the same for both, you’re working for free on the Poodle.
This guide gives you realistic pricing for every common breed based on what groomers across the US actually charge in 2026. If you’re exploring this area, our Pawfinity Pricing Guide 2026: All Plans Explained guide covers it in detail.
How Pricing Should Work
The Three Pricing Factors
1. Size — Bigger dog = more product, more time, more physical effort 2. Coat type — Double-coated, curly, wire-haired, and long-coated breeds take significantly more time than smooth-coated breeds 3. Service level — Bath & brush vs. full groom vs. specialty cuts
Base Pricing Framework
| Size Category | Weight | Bath & Brush | Full Groom | Specialty/Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy/Small | Under 15 lbs | $30-$45 | $50-$70 | $70-$100 |
| Small-Medium | 15-30 lbs | $40-$55 | $60-$85 | $85-$120 |
| Medium | 30-50 lbs | $45-$65 | $70-$95 | $95-$140 |
| Large | 50-80 lbs | $55-$80 | $85-$120 | $120-$160 |
| Extra Large | 80-120 lbs | $65-$95 | $100-$150 | $150-$200 |
| Giant | 120+ lbs | $80-$120 | $120-$180 | $180-$250 |
These are national averages. Adjust +/- 20% based on your local market.
Pricing by Breed (Detailed)
Toy and Small Breeds
| Breed | Bath & Brush | Full Groom | Time Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua (smooth) | $25-$35 | $35-$50 | 30-45 min | Quick and easy |
| Chihuahua (long-hair) | $30-$40 | $45-$60 | 45-60 min | More brushing required |
| Yorkshire Terrier | $35-$50 | $55-$75 | 60-90 min | Coat tangles easily |
| Maltese | $35-$50 | $55-$80 | 60-90 min | Matting common |
| Shih Tzu | $40-$55 | $60-$85 | 75-105 min | Often matted, face work takes time |
| Pomeranian | $40-$55 | $55-$75 | 60-90 min | Double coat, lots of blowout |
| Toy Poodle | $35-$50 | $60-$85 | 60-90 min | Curly coat requires skill |
| Miniature Schnauzer | $40-$55 | $60-$80 | 60-90 min | Hand-strip or clipper |
| Bichon Frise | $45-$60 | $65-$90 | 75-105 min | Round head takes practice |
| Havanese | $40-$55 | $60-$85 | 60-90 min | Silky coat mats easily |
Medium Breeds
| Breed | Bath & Brush | Full Groom | Time Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocker Spaniel | $50-$65 | $70-$95 | 90-120 min | Ears require attention |
| Miniature Poodle | $45-$60 | $70-$95 | 75-105 min | Poodle cuts take skill |
| Shetland Sheepdog | $50-$65 | $65-$85 | 75-105 min | Double coat, de-shed focus |
| Springer Spaniel | $50-$65 | $70-$90 | 75-105 min | Feathering needs hand work |
| Border Collie | $45-$60 | $60-$80 | 60-90 min | Double coat, moderate grooming |
| Australian Shepherd | $50-$70 | $70-$95 | 90-120 min | Heavy double coat |
| Beagle | $35-$50 | N/A | 30-45 min | Short coat, bath only typically |
| Bulldog (English) | $40-$55 | N/A | 45-60 min | Wrinkle cleaning essential |
Large Breeds
| Breed | Bath & Brush | Full Groom | Time Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | $55-$75 | $80-$110 | 90-120 min | De-shed is a workout |
| Labrador Retriever | $50-$70 | N/A | 60-75 min | Short coat, bath & de-shed |
| Standard Poodle | $65-$85 | $95-$140 | 120-180 min | Complex cuts, premium pricing |
| Goldendoodle | $65-$90 | $90-$130 | 105-150 min | Often matted, varies wildly |
| Labradoodle | $60-$85 | $85-$120 | 90-135 min | Coat varies by generation |
| German Shepherd | $55-$75 | $70-$95 | 75-105 min | Heavy shedder, de-shed focus |
| Husky | $60-$80 | $75-$100 | 90-120 min | Undercoat is intense |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | $65-$90 | $90-$130 | 105-150 min | Large with heavy coat |
| Old English Sheepdog | $70-$100 | $100-$150 | 120-180 min | Matting nightmare if not maintained |
| Afghan Hound | $65-$85 | $90-$130 | 105-150 min | Silky long coat |
Extra Large and Giant Breeds
| Breed | Bath & Brush | Full Groom | Time Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Dane | $60-$85 | N/A | 45-60 min | Easy coat, just BIG |
| Newfoundland | $80-$110 | $120-$180 | 120-180 min | Massive double coat |
| Great Pyrenees | $80-$110 | $110-$160 | 120-180 min | White coat = stain work |
| Saint Bernard | $75-$100 | $100-$150 | 105-150 min | Drool + heavy coat |
| Irish Wolfhound | $70-$95 | $90-$130 | 90-120 min | Wire coat, large frame |
| Mastiff | $65-$90 | N/A | 60-90 min | Short coat, just enormous |
The Doodle Problem
Let’s talk about Doodles. Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Aussiedoodles — they’re everywhere and they’re the most divisive dogs in grooming.
Why Doodles are pricing challenges:
- Coat texture varies wildly (even within the same litter)
- Owners often don’t brush between grooms (matting is epidemic)
- Many owners have unrealistic expectations (“I want a teddy bear cut!” on a matted mess)
- They can range from 20 lbs to 100 lbs
- Groom time can be anywhere from 1 hour (well-maintained) to 3+ hours (matted disaster)
Doodle pricing strategy:
- Always quote based on in-person assessment, not over the phone
- Charge for coat condition, not just breed: well-maintained Doodle = standard pricing, matted Doodle = matting surcharge
- Have a clear matting policy posted and communicated
- Consider a higher base price for Doodles than similar-sized straight-coated breeds
Suggested Doodle pricing:
| Doodle Type | Well-Maintained | Moderate Matting | Severe Matting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini (under 30 lbs) | $65-$85 | $85-$105 | $105-$130 (shave) |
| Medium (30-50 lbs) | $80-$100 | $100-$130 | $130-$160 (shave) |
| Standard (50-80 lbs) | $95-$120 | $120-$155 | $155-$190 (shave) |
| Large (80+ lbs) | $110-$140 | $140-$175 | $175-$220 (shave) |
Add-On Services Pricing
| Service | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teeth brushing | $8-$15 | 3 min | High margin, easy upsell |
| Nail grinding (vs clip) | $5-$10 | 5 min | Clients prefer the smooth finish |
| Blueberry facial | $10-$15 | 5 min | Instagram-worthy, clients love it |
| De-shed treatment | $15-$40 | 15-30 min | Seasonal goldmine |
| Flea & tick treatment | $15-$25 | 10 min | Seasonal |
| Ear cleaning (deep) | $10-$15 | 5 min | Beyond standard cleaning |
| Sanitary trim | $10-$15 | 5 min | Common add-on |
| Nail polish/caps | $10-$20 | 10 min | Fun, niche |
| Cologne/perfume | $5-$8 | 1 min | Easy upsell at checkout |
| Bandana | $3-$8 | 0 min | Pure profit retail |
Pro tip: If even 50% of clients add teeth brushing ($10) and a bandana ($5), that’s $7.50 extra per dog. On 6 dogs/day, 250 days/year = $11,250 in additional annual revenue from just two low-effort add-ons.
The Matting Surcharge — Don’t Skip This
Matting is extra work. Extra time. Extra blade wear. Extra physical effort. You deserve to be paid for it.
Matting surcharge structure:
- Light matting (minor tangles, 15 extra minutes): $15-$25
- Moderate matting (significant tangles, 30+ extra minutes): $25-$50
- Severe matting (pelted, requires shave-down): $50-$80+
How to communicate it:
- Post your matting policy on your website, booking page, and in-salon
- Inform the client BEFORE you start: “I want to let you know that Bella has some matting that will add about $[amount] to today’s groom. Would you like me to work through it or would you prefer a shorter cut?”
- Document matting with photos (before working on it) in case of disputes
The phrase every groomer should memorize: “Regular brushing between grooms prevents matting and keeps your price in the standard range. I’d recommend brushing 2-3 times per week with a slicker brush.”
How to Raise Your Prices
If you’re currently underpriced (and you probably are), here’s how to increase without losing your client base:
Small Annual Increases (Recommended)
Raise all prices 5-8% once per year. A $75 groom becomes $80. Most clients won’t notice or care. The few who leave over $5 are the price-shoppers you don’t want.
Communication: Send a text/email 30 days before the increase: “To continue providing the quality grooming you expect, our prices will increase slightly effective [date]. Standard groom prices will go up $5-$10 per service. Thank you for your continued support!”
Bigger One-Time Correction
If you’re 20-30% underpriced, a gradual approach takes years. Consider:
- Raise new client prices immediately to market rate
- Raise existing client prices in two steps: 10-15% now, another 10-15% in 6 months
- Grandfather your most loyal long-term clients at a slightly lower rate (optional — they’ll notice and appreciate it)
The Bottom Line on Pricing
Price for profit, not for volume. A groomer doing 5 dogs at $90 makes $450/day. A groomer doing 7 dogs at $60 makes $420/day — more work, more stress, less money.
Higher prices attract better clients. Better clients show up on time, keep their dogs brushed, tip well, and refer friends. Lower prices attract price-shoppers who no-show, bring matted dogs, complain about everything, and leave for anyone $5 cheaper.
Price with confidence. Your skill has value.