How much should I charge for dog grooming?
Updated
Most dog grooming full groom prices fall between roughly $40 and $120+, driven by breed and coat type, dog size, condition (matting adds time), your local market, and the service scope. The reliable way to price is to work backwards from the hourly income you need, then adjust per breed and for add ons, not to copy a flat number. A pricing calculator that factors breed and time makes this concrete.
Grooming price is really a function of time and skill, not a fixed menu. A short coat bath and tidy on a small dog might take 45 minutes; a matted double coated breed or a breed standard poodle cut can run three to four hours. If you charge the same for both, the hard jobs subsidize the easy ones and your effective hourly rate collapses on the work that demands the most skill.
A defensible pricing method: set a target hourly rate, estimate realistic time per breed and coat type, and price each service so it hits that rate, then layer add ons (deshedding, dematting, nail grinding) as separate line items. Condition matters too, matting and behavior should carry surcharges because they cost you time and risk.
Local market is the final calibration. National ranges are a starting point, but the truest signal is calling three local competitors and pricing relative to them and your skill level. GroomBoard's free pricing calculator and pricing index give you breed aware ranges to anchor on; the links are below.
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Related
Related questions
Should I charge more for matted or difficult dogs?
How do I price by breed?
Where can I find grooming price benchmarks?
More answers
How much does pet grooming software cost?
Dog grooming software costs between $9 and $239 per month in 2026. Groomer specific tools: GroomBoard $9 to $39 per month with 100 to 600 texts included, Groomsoft $29.95 to $39.90 with 100 free texts then prepaid packs, MoeGo $49 to $239 per van or location with texts capped by tier. Facility platforms such as Gingr run $109 to $179 plus setup fees. The monthly total is usually higher than the sticker price once text packs and setup fees are added.
Does dog grooming software work with Square?
Some grooming software integrates with Square and GroomBoard does not. GroomBoard has no Square connection: it does not read Square transactions, push appointments into Square, or settle payments through a Square account. Most groomers who use both keep Square at the counter for card payments and run bookings, pet records, and reminder texts in GroomBoard. Square Appointments on its own is $0, $49, or $149 per location per month and has no pet profiles.
Is there free dog grooming software?
Yes. As of October 2026, ShakeYourTail, Tuft, Doxford and Square Appointments each have a free plan that never expires, and Koalendar works as a free generic scheduler. Every one of them drops SMS reminders or caps your client list, and two tools that show up in "free grooming software" lists, GrooMore and Cuddles, only offer a trial. GroomBoard is not free: Starter is $9 a month with 100 texts included, after a 7 day trial with no card.
What software do dog groomers use?
Dog groomers use grooming specific business software to handle online booking, calendar scheduling, client and pet records, and automated SMS reminders. Common options include GroomBoard, MoeGo, Gingr, DaySmart Pet, and Groomsoft, and independent or mobile groomers often choose a lighter, flat priced tool like GroomBoard from $9/month.