When it comes to raising a healthy pup, exercise, nutrient-dense food and regular visits to the vet likely come to mind. But did you know that regular grooming is one of the best ways to bolster your dog’s health, regardless of the breed? Not only does grooming bolster your pup’s hygiene and the appearance of their coat, skin, nails, ears and teeth, but groomers are also able to give you a heads-up on health issues, points out Alex Bordana, a professional dog groomer at Dogtopia of Madison West.
Since routine grooming is best, it’s not uncommon for pet parents to wonder how long it takes to groom a dog? According to the experts we interviewed, a dog grooming session should take anywhere between 30 minutes to three hours depending on the breed of the dog, fur type, size, personality, last grooming session and other factors.
Find out how long your dog might need for grooming, plus, why it’s important for Fido’s health.
What factors affect a dog’s grooming time?
“The amount of time it takes to groom a dog depends on several factors, including the breed, the length and type of coat, the dog’s size and the level of matting or tangles,” explains Sabrina Kong, a veterinarian, dog trainer and veterinary consultant at WeLoveDoodles.
Here’s a closer look at the factors that affect grooming time, plus, the types of services a groomer might offer.
1. Breed and size
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes hundreds of dog breeds. And as anyone who’s set foot in a dog park can tell you, one breed can vary wildly from another in terms of general appearance, health and temperament — and those are all factors that can go into grooming time.
“A larger dog with a long coat will take much longer [to groom] than a smaller dog with a short coat,” explains Bordona. For example, a long-haired (and large) afghan hound will take longer to groom in comparison to, say, a Labrador Retriever. However, a Shih Tzu might take much longer to groom than that same retriever, despite its smaller size.
“The amount of time it takes to groom a dog depends on several factors, including the breed, the length and type of coat, the dog’s size and the level of matting or tangles.”
— SABRINA KONG, A VETERINARIAN
2. Coat type and condition
As Paul Andrews, an experienced dog owner and owner of The Upper Pawside, explains, regular grooming helps keep a dog’s coat clean and tidy. If that dog hasn’t been groomed in quite some time (or at all), expect to have a longer appointment.
“Not grooming your dog can make it look unkempt,” he notes. “Worse though, it will cause matting, fur loss, and even skin diseases that result from the accumulation of dirt, debris and oil build-up.”
Bordana notes that she will typically require more time to groom when a dog has significant matting on their fur.
3. Behavior, age and personality
Bordana notes that if your pup is young or brand-new to grooming, or generally has a fearful or anxious personality, your appointment might be on the longer side.
“Grooming can be stressful for dogs, especially if they are not started at a young age,” she says. “All of our tools are sharp — and dogs move. Grooming dogs who are unaccustomed to the process comes with a lot more safety risks than a dog who is comfortable with the process.”
4. Health of the dog (or special hygiene considerations)
If a dog has particular health needs, that might also add onto overall grooming time, says Andrews. “Allergies, sensitivities and skin diseases can determine what kind of grooming products you get to use and can affect grooming time,” he says.
5. Grooming services requested
While the experts we interviewed noted that general brushing, bathing, nail-trimming, teeth-brushing and ear-cleaning tend to be staples in basic dog grooming services, your dog might require additional grooming needs for a variety of reasons.
For example, maybe you’re preparing Fido for an upcoming show — or you’ve been spending the summer taking them on (messy) outdoor excursions. “If you travel frequently with your dog, especially to beaches or take hiking trips with it, your pet will need frequent grooming compared to one that lives at home,” Andrews adds.
What are the basic services most groomers offer, and why are they important?
As Bordona explains, dog grooming isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a vital component to a dog’s health. “Grooming should be a part of a dog’s life, just like vet visits and training!”
Here’s what dog owners can expect from a basic professional grooming appointment.
1. Bathing, dying and brushing
Bordona notes that a grooming session will typically start with the dog being bathed, blow-dried and then brushed and combed.
Projected bathing time: Five minutes to 60 minutes. “Dogs with double coats, long and curly hair need intensive grooming compared to those with short or single coats,” Andrews says.
Projected drying and brushing time: Five minutes to 60 minutes. “If a dog does not tolerate the dryer, that will increase drying time,” adds Bordana.
2. Nail-trimming
Trimming a dog’s nails is hugely important for their paw health, says Bordona. “Overgrown nails will eventually lead to joint issues, and in some cases will change the shape of the foot.”
Projected trimming time: Two to 10 minutes. “For dogs that are uncomfortable with nail trims, it can be 10 minutes,” Bordana says.
3. Ear-cleaning
Cleaning a dog’s ears can help clear out any wax or debris buildup, Bordona adds.
Projected cleaning time: 30 seconds to one minute. “It will depend on how much waxy buildup there is,” notes Bordano.
4. Teeth-brushing
“Regular teeth brushing is crucial for maintaining a dog’s oral health,” explains Kong. “In grooming appointments, it helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to gum disease, tooth loss and bad breath.” She adds that regular brushing also helps groomers detect early dental issues.
Projectred brushing time: One minute.
How long do additional grooming services take?
Depending on your breed of dog, or if they have a particular need (like a haircut), you may want to consider some “extra” grooming services.
1. Haircut (plus any styling or finishing)
This might occur if your dog’s coat becomes particularly long or unruly, or if you want to style the dog in a particular way for, say, an upcoming show. If this is the case, expect some extra time to be added onto your grooming session.
Projected cut time: 15 to 60+ minutes. “A haircut can take 15 to 20 minutes on a smaller dog, and some dogs have haircuts that can take an hour or more depending on the thickness of the coat and the amount of scissor work,” Bordana explains.
Oftentimes, Bordana says the cutting time often correlates with how recently a pup has been trimmed. “For me personally, if a dog has a trim every six weeks, it takes about 15 to 30 minutes longer than if they had a cut every 4 weeks,” she explains. “Every 8 weeks can take 20 to 40 minutes longer than that, depending on the condition of the coat. Dogs who are rarely groomed take longer.”
2. Anal gland expression
Anal gland expression can sometimes be a part of many groomer’s standard service packages, says Bordana.
“Anal glands are tiny sacs near a dog’s anus that produce smelly liquid,” notes Kong. “Sometimes these glands can become clogged or infected, causing discomfort or pain. Groomers often include anal gland expression in grooming appointments to prevent blockages, infections and foul odors. This procedure helps maintain a dog’s hygiene and ensures its overall health and comfort.”
Projected expression time: One to two minutes. “Anal gland expression takes a minute or two,” Bordano says.
“A newer groomer may take three to four hours to complete a groom that takes a more experienced groomer one to two hours. The more frequently a dog comes in, the less time the groom takes.”
— ALEX BORDANA, A PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMER
The bottom line on how long it takes to groom a dog
Time projections above vary wildly among groomers, points out Bordana. “All of these times vary greatly by experience level,” she notes. “A newer groomer may take three to four hours to complete a groom that takes a more experienced groomer one to two hours. The more frequently a dog comes in, the less time the groom takes.”
That said, if your dog is a short-haired or small breed, has a calm, non-anxious temperament and doesn’t need any special considerations when grooming, expect your grooming appointment to last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. If your dog is large, has a long, dense coat, has matting, is nervous or anxious or you need additional grooming services (like a haircut), expect your appointment to take upwards of three hours.
However, these are baseline estimates. The best way to know how long your dog’s grooming session will take is to talk directly with a professional groomer.
