Los Angeles Dog Grooming Prices by Breed (2026)
What dog grooming costs in Los Angeles in 2026, by breed: bath and tidy vs full groom for 25 breeds, add-on fees, tipping, Westside vs Eastside vs Valley, and how to get an accurate quote.
Direct answer: In Los Angeles in 2026, a bath and tidy runs about $55 to $85 for a small dog, $70 to $100 for a medium dog and $90 to $140 for a large one, while a full groom with a haircut runs $90 to $135 small, $115 to $170 medium and $160 to $260 for large and doodle coats. Breed matters more than weight: a 15-pound Maltese in a long coat costs more than a 60-pound Lab, and a Standard Doodle is the most expensive dog in the city to groom. Add $20 to $90 for hand scissoring, $15 to $30 per 15 minutes of de-matting, and a 15 to 20 percent tip.
What actually sets the price
Groomers price on time, and four things drive time. Size sets the floor, because a bigger dog means more coat to wash and dry. Coat type sets the range above that floor: a smooth-coated Beagle takes 45 minutes, a double-coated Husky takes two hours of de-shedding, and a curly doodle takes two and a half hours of drying and scissoring. Condition is the wild card: matting, fleas, or a dog that has not been groomed in four months all add time and often a fee. Behavior is the fourth: a dog that needs two handlers or constant breaks costs more, and some groomers decline these dogs outright.
The fifth factor is who is grooming. Chain counters inside pet stores publish the lowest base prices in LA but add fees for almost everything (teeth, nails, de-shedding, "specialty shampoo") and move dogs between a bather and a groomer. Mobile groomers charge the most, usually 30 to 50 percent above a salon, because you are paying for the van and the drive. Independent groomers working from their own suite or small shop sit in the middle on price and usually at the top on time spent per dog, because nobody is pushing them to hit a dogs-per-day number.
Los Angeles grooming prices by breed
These ranges are guidelines, not a price list. Snout Studios does not set grooming prices; each independent groomer sets their own. Ranges below are typical for independent groomers and better salons in central Los Angeles in 2026. Chains run 15 to 25 percent lower on the base price before add-ons; mobile runs 30 to 50 percent higher. Full groom means bath, dry, haircut, nails, ears and sanitary trim.
| Breed or group | Size | Bath and tidy | Full groom | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua (smooth) | Small | $55 to $70 | n/a (no haircut) | Nails and de-shed; cheapest dog in LA to groom |
| Dachshund (smooth or wire) | Small | $55 to $75 | $90 to $110 (wire) | Hand-stripping for show wires is extra |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Small | $60 to $80 | $95 to $125 | Long-coat upkeep costs more than a puppy cut |
| Maltese | Small | $60 to $85 | $100 to $135 | Tear-stain work and topknots add time |
| Shih Tzu | Small | $60 to $85 | $100 to $135 | Mats fast behind the ears |
| Pomeranian | Small | $65 to $85 | $100 to $130 | Never shave; de-shed and tidy only |
| Miniature or Toy Poodle | Small | $65 to $85 | $105 to $135 | Breed trims are at the top of the range |
| Cavalier King Charles | Small | $60 to $80 | $95 to $125 | Feathering trim, usually not a full clip |
| French Bulldog | Medium | $70 to $90 | n/a | Bath, nails, wrinkle cleaning |
| Beagle | Medium | $70 to $90 | n/a | De-shedding add-on common |
| Corgi | Medium | $75 to $100 | n/a (de-shed) | Heavy shedder, $20 to $40 de-shed add-on |
| Cocker Spaniel | Medium | $75 to $100 | $120 to $160 | Ears and feet take time |
| Miniature Schnauzer | Medium | $70 to $95 | $115 to $150 | Breed pattern is standard |
| Miniature Doodle (under 35 lb) | Medium | $80 to $100 | $130 to $170 | Price jumps with matting |
| Australian Shepherd | Medium | $80 to $100 | $120 to $160 (tidy, not clip) | Most groomers will not shave |
| Labrador Retriever | Large | $90 to $120 | n/a | De-shed add-on $30 to $50 |
| Golden Retriever | Large | $100 to $140 | $150 to $200 (feather trim) | Full shave is discouraged |
| German Shepherd | Large | $100 to $140 | n/a | Blow-out de-shed is the main cost |
| Siberian Husky | Large | $110 to $140 | n/a | Two-hour de-shed; seasonal blowouts cost more |
| Standard Poodle | Large | $110 to $140 | $180 to $250 | Hand scissoring pushes to the top |
| Standard Doodle (45 to 80 lb) | Large | $120 to $140 | $190 to $260 | Most expensive common breed in LA |
| Bernedoodle | Large | $120 to $140 | $200 to $260 | Dense coat, long dry time |
| Newfoundland or Great Pyrenees | Giant | $140 to $180 | $220 to $300 | Many salons cannot handle giants; call ahead |
| Cats (short hair) | n/a | $80 to $120 | n/a | Few LA groomers take cats |
| Cats (long hair or lion cut) | n/a | $100 to $140 | $150 to $220 | Sedation-free lion cuts need a cat specialist |
Add-ons and the fees nobody mentions on the phone
De-matting is the big one. Most groomers charge $15 to $30 per 15 minutes, and a doodle that has gone 10 weeks without a brush can carry an hour of it. Past a certain point the humane option is a shave-down, which is usually charged as a full groom plus a matted-coat fee of $20 to $40. Other common add-ons: de-shedding treatment $20 to $50, teeth brushing $10 to $15, nail grinding instead of clipping $5 to $15, flea bath $15 to $30, medicated or hypoallergenic shampoo $10 to $20, anal gland expression $10 to $20 (many groomers now leave this to vets), hand scissoring instead of clipper work $20 to $90 depending on size, and a handling fee of $15 to $40 for dogs that need a second person.
Tipping in Los Angeles follows restaurant norms: 15 to 20 percent is standard, more for a difficult dog or a holiday appointment. Independent groomers who own their business still appreciate tips, and most booking apps now prompt for one.
Westside, Eastside, Valley
Prices track local real estate costs. Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood sit 15 to 25 percent above the ranges in the table; expect $150 or more for a small-dog full groom at a well-reviewed Westside salon. Echo Park, Silver Lake, Highland Park, Downtown and Koreatown track the table closely. The San Fernando Valley (Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Burbank, North Hollywood) runs at or slightly below the table, with more mobile vans and more chain counters per square mile. South Bay and Long Beach run 10 to 15 percent below.
How to get an accurate quote
Breed and weight get you a ballpark. To get a real number, tell the groomer three more things: how long since the last groom, what length you want (a quarter inch all over is a different job than a two-inch teddy bear), and whether the coat is matted anywhere. Send a photo of the dog standing and a close-up of the coat behind the ears or under the collar. A good groomer will quote a range on the spot and tell you what would push it to the top.
Ask whether the quote includes nails, ears and sanitary, whether de-matting is charged separately, and whether the dog stays with one groomer start to finish. The last question matters most for anxious dogs and seniors.
Why independent groomers price differently
An independent groomer owns the appointment. They are paying for their space, insurance and supplies out of the ticket rather than taking a 40 to 50 percent commission, so their prices are usually a bit above a chain base price and a bit below mobile. In exchange they typically spend 90 minutes to 3 hours on your dog, handle it alone, and set the schedule so that a nervous dog is not sitting in a kennel for four hours waiting on a dryer. Full disclosure, Snout Studios is the company behind this guide; our Echo Park and Downtown LA studios are private suites where independent groomers work one dog at a time, and the Los Angeles grooming page lists groomers you can book directly. Whoever you choose, the questions above are the same.
Key takeaways
Los Angeles grooming prices in 2026 run $55 to $140 for a bath and tidy and $90 to $260 for a full groom, with coat type and condition mattering more than weight. Doodles, Standard Poodles and giant breeds sit at the top; smooth-coated breeds and most large shedders only need a bath and de-shed. De-matting, de-shedding and hand scissoring are the add-ons that move a bill the most, and a 15 to 20 percent tip is standard. The Westside runs 15 to 25 percent above the table, the Eastside and Downtown track it, and the Valley runs at or slightly below. Get an accurate quote by sending a photo and stating the length you want and the time since the last groom.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to groom a dog in Los Angeles?
A bath and tidy runs $55 to $85 for a small dog, $70 to $100 for a medium dog and $90 to $140 for a large dog. A full groom with a haircut runs $90 to $135 small, $115 to $170 medium and $160 to $260 for large and doodle coats. Mobile grooming runs 30 to 50 percent more; chain counters run 15 to 25 percent less before add-ons.
Why does a doodle cost so much to groom?
Doodle coats are dense, curly and mat-prone, so they take two to three hours to wash, dry and scissor, compared with 45 minutes for a smooth-coated dog of the same weight. A Standard Doodle full groom in LA runs $190 to $260, and heavy matting adds $15 to $30 per 15 minutes or forces a shave-down.
How much should I tip a dog groomer in LA?
Fifteen to twenty percent of the bill is standard, the same as a restaurant. Tip more for a difficult or matted dog, a holiday appointment or a groomer who worked through a behavior problem patiently. Independent groomers who own their business still welcome tips.
Is mobile grooming more expensive than a salon?
Yes, usually 30 to 50 percent more. You are paying for the van, fuel and the drive time, in exchange for convenience and one-on-one handling. For a large doodle that can mean $300 or more per visit.
Are chain groomers cheaper than independent groomers?
The base price at a chain counter is usually 15 to 25 percent lower, but add-ons for teeth, nails, de-shedding and specialty shampoo often close the gap. Independent groomers typically spend more time per dog and handle the dog alone from start to finish, which matters most for anxious dogs and seniors.
Get a quote from an independent groomer
Each Snout Studios groomer sets their own prices. Request a match and confirm the exact quote with your groomer.