Dog Grooming Prices: Published Australian Examples and Quote Checks

Dog grooming prices need to be compared for the same dog and the same service. A bath, a short all-over clip and a hand-scissored style aren’t interchangeable. Start with your dog’s weight, coat condition and requested finish, then ask for the total price and the circumstances that could change it.

By Dog Grooming Australia Team. Price pages checked 4 October 2026.

What do published salon prices actually show?

The examples below come from three named operators. They’re a small sample of published prices, not an Australian average or a cheapest-to-most-expensive ranking. Their weight bands and service descriptions differ, so use them to understand a quote rather than to predict what every groomer should charge.

Paddington Vet also lists dematting/deshedding at $105 per hour and a $55 difficult-dog surcharge. Ask how any additional handling or coat work would be assessed for your dog, and whether the groomer will contact you before exceeding the estimate. At an overlapping weight boundary, ask which band applies rather than choosing the cheaper one yourself.

Recheck the linked menus when booking. A published starting price doesn’t confirm an appointment, establish your dog’s coat condition or cover every requested style. We haven’t inspected these salons or tested their grooming services.

For a 7 kg dog, these published bands show Pet Fresh at $149.99, Paddington Vet at $130 and Gentle Paws at $110. They still describe different finishes: a short all-over clip is not the same as hand-scissored face and legs. This comparison tests the weight band, not which service is best. Ask all three for the same finish and check GST and additional charges.

Give each groomer the same brief

Send the dog’s breed or coat type, current weight, age, date of the last groom and the finish you want. Include clear recent photos if the salon accepts them. Describe tangles and handling difficulties honestly; a photo of the back alone won’t show what the coat is like around the legs or underneath.

Ask what “full groom” includes on that menu. Confirm the body length, face and feet work, nail trim, bath and drying. If you’re asking for a bath and tidy, spell out which areas you want trimmed. Our full groom versus bath and tidy guide helps distinguish those bookings.

A useful message is: “My dog weighs 12 kg and was last groomed eight weeks ago. I’d like a short practical clip, including face and feet. There are tangles behind the ears. What is included in the estimate, and when would you need my approval for extra work?”

Compare the total, including possible coat work

Put the written estimates beside each other. If one includes nail trimming and another charges separately, add that difference before deciding. Ask whether the quoted amount includes GST, how long the appointment is expected to take, and what happens if the coat needs more work than expected.

For illustration only, a $120 quote plus a $20 requested add-on totals $140. A $135 quote including that same work would cost less. Those figures are invented to show the comparison method, not a price claim about a real salon.

Don’t agree to a painful or unsuitable finish just to match a reference photo or preserve a quoted price. Ask the groomer to explain the practical options for the coat in front of them. If there’s an apparent skin problem or injury, discuss veterinary advice before booking cosmetic work.

Check mobile visits and repeat bookings separately

There’s no fixed mobile surcharge established by the examples above. Ask the mobile operator for a quote covering your address, dog and service. Confirm access requirements, where the vehicle can park, and whether the quoted total includes travel. Compare that with a salon appointment only after matching the work included.

If a salon offers a lower maintenance price on a regular schedule, get the conditions in writing. Ask which service is included and whether missing an appointment changes the next price. Book a frequency suited to the coat and your ability to maintain it, rather than choosing a recurring appointment solely for a discount.

For a Perth home visit, use the verified mobile-versus-salon examples. Find nearby options through the groomer directory, including Melbourne and Brisbane. Directory entries are a starting point for enquiries; the business confirms its current prices and availability.

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