How Long Does Dog Grooming Take? Complete Time Guide 2025

The question that is most frequently asked by pet parents is, How long does dog grooming take? It is a useful issue, you have a timetable and must make things out. The fact is that the period of dog grooming may be rather different. A quick brush might take minutes, while a full spa day for a fluffy friend could take several hours.  To save time, it can be a good idea to hire a mobile dog grooming service that can come to your door with professional services.

Knowing what affects the duration of grooming your dog can help you control your expectations and make sure that your dog will have a good time and will not be stressed. This guide will take you through all factors that will influence the dog grooming duration, including its breed and the state of the coat, and the type of services it requires.

What are the Factors That affect the Dog Grooming Time?

A regular grooming session would take approximately 2 to 4 hours. This is, however, an estimate. The dog grooming duration is determined by various factors that may either make the appointment longer or shorter.

Dog's Breed and Size

The most influential issues that determine the amount of time spent grooming your dog are the breed and size. A small short-haired dog, such as a Chihuahua, will automatically have less time to groom as compared to a big dog with long hair, such as a Bernese Mountain Dog.

• Small Dogs (e.g., Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese): It usually takes 1-2 hours. They are small, hence easy to bathe, dry, and clip.
• Medium Dogs (e.g., Cocker Spaniel, Beagle): It usually takes 2-3 hours normally. The longer the surface area one can wash and the more hair to deal with, the longer the time the dog takes to be groomed.
• Big Dogs (e.g., Golden Retriever, German Shepherd): It may take 3-5 hours or more. Bathing, drying, and brushing a large dog with a thick coat is a significant undertaking that requires more time and effort.
  
  

Coat Type and Condition

The kind and state of the coat that your dog has is also of great importance. A clean coat will never be difficult to groom as compared to a matted or tangled dog coat.

• Short Coats (e.g., Boxer, Labrador): These are the dogs that are frequently the fastest to groom. They do not take much brushing and drying. The grooming session may not require more than 1.5 or 2.5 hours.
• Double Coats (e.g., Siberian Husky, Pomeranian): These are dogs with a thick undercoat that needs to be brushed and de-shedded thoroughly to stop matting and lose the fur. This may increase the overall time of dog grooming by 30-60 minutes.
• Long or Curly Coats (e.g., Poodle, Doodle breeds, Shih Tzu): This one is likely to be tangled and matted and requires careful brushing and haircutting. When the coat is matted, the grooming process may take much more time because the groomer needs to take care of the mats so as not to injure the dog. A very matted dog would increase the grooming time by 1-2 hours.
  
  

Temperament and Behavior of the Dog.

The way a dog will act on the grooming table is extremely critical for the duration that will be spent. An obedient dog is accustomed to being dealt with and will make the task easy and effective.

A panicked, frightened, or violent dog will, on the other hand, take longer and more time to calm down. Groomers should take their time to develop trust in build the safety and comfort of the dog. This may include taking regular breaks, employing calming methods, and paying more attention to the dog. In case a dog is so tough, the amount of time spent in the dog grooming may be increased by one or more hours to make it safe and enjoyable.

Specific Services Requested

The services you choose will directly impact how long to groom a dog. The cost of a basic bath and brush will be a lot faster than the complete package involving a haircut, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and so on.

• Dog Bath Package: A Simple wash-up, dry, and brush could require 1-2 hours.
• Dog Haircut Package: This would include a full haircut and styling that would put 1-3 hours on the total dog grooming time, based on the complexity of the cut and the type of hair.
• Add-On Services: These services include de-shedding treatments, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and anal gland expression, all of about 15-30 minutes to the appointment.

Breakdown of a Typical Grooming Session

To further illustrate how the time is spent, the following is a breakdown of a grooming session and the average time of grooming each stage of a dog.

Step 1: Primary Examination and Preparation (15-30 minutes)

Upon the arrival of your dog, the groomer will begin with a brief examination. They will talk about your requests in particular, they will examine the skin and coat of the dog to see whether it has mats or any problems with its skin, and they will also check the temperament. This is then succeeded by pre-clipping or preliminary brushing to get rid of any tangles before bathing.

Step 2: Bathing (15-45 minutes)

The procedure is in the form of a full body bath using some of the best shampoos that are compatible with the skin and coat of your dog. With thick or even double-coated dogs, it will take a longer time to make sure that the water and shampoo get to the skin. This time will also be increased with a de-shedding treatment during the bath.

Step 3: Drying (20-90 minutes)

This dog drying process can take the longest duration of the grooming process. Towel-dried, low-heat dryer finished in a few minutes can be done with small-haired dogs. Nevertheless, big or large-coated dogs will need plenty of blow-drying in order to make sure that the undercoat can be absolutely dry, which is a key to avoiding any skin problems. This may take in excess of an hour in certain breeds.

Step 4: Brushing and De-matting (15-60+ minutes)

When dry, the dog is well wiped out. And in case the coat is matted, the groomer will closely fight to take off the mats. This is a process that is sensitive and consumes time. Extreme dog matting can lead to shaving of the dog, also consuming more time and attention.

Step 5: Haircut and Styling (30-120 minutes)

In the case of dogs undergoing a haircut, it is the artistry that occurs here. The time of grooming the dog under this step is determined by the style of grooming needed, the cooperability of the dog, and the way the groomer does it. Basic puppy cut is faster than a complicated breed-specific one.

Step 6: Finishing Touches (15-30 minutes)

The last process involves trimming or filing of nails, cleaning of the dog's ears, and trimming of the paw pads. The groomer could also express the anal glands, brush the dog's teeth, or add a special perfume at the request.

Mobile Dog Grooming vs. Traditional Salon Grooming: The Time Difference.

Researching the question of how long dog grooming takes, one should draw the line between mobile groomers and traditional salons. The time difference between you (the owner) is enormous.

Traditional Salons (4-6 Hours)

In a traditional salon, the dogs are usually left in the mornings. The salon is working on an assembly line model. They could wash three dogs and then dry three dogs.

• Your dog might wait in a cage for an hour before being washed.
• They might sit in a cage with a fan to dry.
• Once again, they wait until the haircut.
• Due to this waiting time, your dog may be in the shop for half a day, even though an actual grooming took 90 minutes.
  
  

Mobile Dog Grooming (1-2 Hours)

Mobile dog grooming is an express, high-end service. You have the only customer when we pull up to your driveway in San Ramon or Danville and solve the problem with your dog.

• No Waiting: we begin at once.
• Straight Through: We wash, dry, and cut as one.
• No Cages: You do not leave your dog in a cage to wait.
• Since there are no breaks, the dog grooming time is greatly reduced. When your dog is finished, you have it back.

Is it possible to make the grooming process faster?

As the owner, there are some things you can do to make sure that you keep your appointment on the lower end of the estimate.

• Brush at Home: The less that dog of yours has matted, the sooner you can get to work. Frequent brushing eliminates the necessity of time-consuming dematting or shaving.
• Regular Schedule: The dogs are groomed on a regular schedule of 4-6 weeks. They are standing taller and are in better health, making the groom go easy.
• Potty Breaks: It is important to make sure that your dog has gotten a chance to urinate before the groomer comes. A dog that has to go will be anxious and wiggly, and this increases the time required for a haircut.

Your Partner in Pet Care

Frequent grooming is not merely about having a good appearance; it is an essential aspect of the health and well-being of your dog. Knowing how long dog grooming takes and how these factors affect dog grooming duration, you can have a better approach to your appointments and collaborate with your groomer to make the experience the most positive experience with your furry friend.

At Boops N' Bubbles, we're dedicated to providing a luxurious, stress-free grooming experience. If you’re ready to see the difference our personalized, mobile service can make, we invite you to request a booking today. We can’t wait to pamper your pup!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should I get my dog groomed?

The frequency depends on your dog’s breed, coat, and lifestyle. Long-haired breeds like Poodles or Doodles often need grooming every 4-6 weeks to prevent matting. Short-haired breeds may only need a full groom every 8-12 weeks, with regular nail trims in between.

Is it okay to groom a dog at home?

Basic grooming, like brushing and bathing, can be done at home. However, tasks like haircuts, de-matting, and nail trimming are often best left to professionals to avoid injury to your pet. Professional groomers have the right tools and training to handle these tasks safely.

Why does my dog's grooming take so long?

If you find the dog grooming duration for your pet is longer than average, it could be due to a thick or matted coat, a large size, or anxious behavior. Talk to your groomer about what you can do at home, such as regular brushing, to help reduce the time spent at each appointment.