How Much Does It Cost to Groom a Doodle?

How Much Does It Cost to Groom a Doodle? Grooming Costs & Frequency

One of the biggest expenses Doodle owners need to plan for is professional grooming. Doodles are often chosen because of their beautiful, fluffy coats and their potential for low shedding. But there is an important tradeoff:

A low shedding coat does not mean a low maintenance coat.

In fact, many of the Doodle coats people love most require regular professional grooming throughout the dog's life. Before bringing home a Goldendoodle, Cavapoo or other Doodle, make sure grooming fits both your lifestyle and your budget.

How Often Does a Doodle Need Professional Grooming?

Most Doodles should visit a professional groomer approximately every 4 to 8 weeks.

The exact schedule depends on:

• Coat length
• Coat texture and density
• Size of the dog
• How often the dog is brushed and combed at home
• How active the dog is
• How short you want the groomer to cut the coat

Owners who want the long, fluffy "teddy bear" appearance generally need more frequent professional grooming and considerably more maintenance at home.

Owners who keep their Doodle in a shorter haircut can make coat care easier and reduce the cost.

How Much Does Doodle Grooming Cost?

Cost should investigate before buying a puppy. Grooming prices vary by location, dog size, coat length, coat condition and the individual grooming salon.

A professional Doodle groom can commonly cost approximately $75 to $180 or more per appointment.

Larger Doodles generally cost more than smaller Doodles because they require more bathing, drying, brushing and clipping time. A Mini Goldendoodle or Cavapoo may therefore cost less to groom than a 60 or 70 pound Standard Goldendoodle, although local pricing varies. Some groomers also charge additional fees for mat removal, extra brushing, difficult behavior, very long coats, specialty cuts or dogs requiring considerably more grooming time.

What Does Doodle Grooming Cost Per Year?

If your dog is professionally groomed every six weeks, that is approximately 8 to 9 professional grooming appointments every year.

At $100 per groom, that is approximately $800 to $900 per year.

At $150 per groom, that is approximately $1,200 to $1,350 per year.

At $180 per groom, that is approximately $1,440 to $1,620 per year.

And that expense continues throughout the dog's life.

Find Out What Doodle Grooming Costs Where You Live

Don't rely entirely on national averages. Before purchasing your puppy, call two or three professional groomers near you.

Ask:
"I'm considering getting a Doodle that should be approximately ___ pounds as an adult. What do you typically charge for a full groom, and how often would you recommend bringing the dog in?"

This will give you a much better idea of the actual cost of Doodle ownership where you live. It also gives you an opportunity to find a groomer before you actually need one.

Why Do Doodles Need So Much Grooming?

Most Doodles have furnished, continuously growing coats influenced by their Poodle ancestry. These coats can hold loose hair rather than simply dropping it onto your floors and furniture. That is part of what many owners love about them. But loose hair can become tangled within the surrounding coat. If those tangles aren't removed, they can tighten into mats. This is why a dog that leaves relatively little hair around your house may actually require more grooming, not less.

Professional Grooming Does Not Replace Brushing at Home

If you keep your Doodle's coat long, regular brushing and combing at home are extremely important.

Brushing only the surface isn't enough. You need to make sure you can get a comb through the coat all the way down to the skin.

Areas particularly prone to tangling include:

• Behind the ears
• Under the collar
• Armpits
• Legs
• Chest
• Belly
• Tail

Your groomer can show you how to properly brush and comb your individual dog's coat.

Doodle Matting Can Become Painful

Matting isn't simply an appearance problem. As mats tighten, they can pull against the skin. Severe matting can become uncomfortable and painful for the dog. Once a coat becomes heavily matted, brushing it out may no longer be the best option. In those situations, a groomer will recommend shaving the coat short and allowing healthy hair to grow back. Regular coat maintenance helps prevent the dog from reaching this point.

Want Less Grooming Work? Keep Your Doodle's Coat Short

A short coat means less frequent trips to the groomer. You don't have to keep your Doodle fluffy. A shorter haircut can dramatically reduce the amount of brushing and combing required between professional grooming appointments. Your Doodle will still need regular grooming, nail care, ear care and haircuts, but maintaining a shorter coat is much easier for many families.

The adorable long teddy bear coat seen in photographs comes with a price: Someone has to maintain it.

Start Grooming Your Doodle as a Puppy

Don't wait until your puppy desperately needs a haircut before introducing grooming. Young puppies should become comfortable with being brushed and combed, having their feet and faces handled, hearing clippers and dryers and having their nails trimmed.

A Doodle will likely be professionally groomed hundreds of times throughout its life. Teaching a puppy that grooming is a normal part of life can make future appointments much easier for the dog, owner and groomer.

Budget for Grooming Before Getting a Doodle

If you are considering a Doodle, ask yourself two important questions:

Can I comfortably budget approximately $800 to $1,600 or more each year for professional grooming?

Am I willing to brush and comb my dog between grooming appointments?

If you don't want extensive home coat maintenance, are you willing to keep your dog's hair shorter?

It is much better to understand the grooming commitment before bringing your puppy home rather than discovering it afterward.

Low shedding does not mean low maintenance. A Doodle's constant growth hair equals a lot of maintenance.

The Most Important Thing to Remember About Doodle Grooming

A beautiful Doodle coat requires time, care and money. Budget for professional grooming from the beginning. Establish a relationship with a good groomer. Learn how to maintain your dog's coat at home. Choose a haircut that realistically fits your lifestyle.

Your Doodle doesn't care whether its hair is four inches long or half an inch long.

Your dog just needs a coat that is clean, comfortable and free of mats.