Glossary

Dog groomer

A professional who bathes, brushes, clips and trims dogs, in a salon, a mobile van or a clinic.

Also called: dog groomer, grooming salon, mobile groomer, pet groomer, professional groomer, dog grooming, groom

A dog groomer bathes, dries, brushes and trims dogs, and may also clip nails, clean ears and express glands on request. Some work in salons, some in mobile vans that come to your door, and some in a vet clinic or pet store. Dogs with a curly coat or a silky coat may need grooming every few weeks, and wire coat breeds may need hand stripping, while a double coat needs help in shedding season.

In most places, grooming is not licensed, and anyone can start a business, though voluntary certification exists. Ask about experience with your breed, their training, how they handle nervous dogs, whether they use cage dryers, and what happens in an emergency.

Tell the groomer about any skin issues, lumps or behaviour issues, and let your veterinarian check any skin problem they find. A groomer is not a trainer, and some may refuse an aggressive dog.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Double coat A coat with two layers, a soft dense undercoat beneath longer, coarser guard hairs, that insulates a dog against cold and heat and sheds heavily in season. Wire coat A harsh, bristly outer coat with a dense undercoat, found on many terriers and some gundogs, traditionally kept tidy by hand stripping. Curly coat A coat of tight curls or waves, as on the Poodle, Bichon Frise and Curly-Coated Retriever, which sheds little but mats without regular grooming. Silky coat A fine, glossy, flowing coat that tangles easily and needs regular brushing, found on breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Afghan Hound.