HOW TO HIRE · PETS · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a dog groomer in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A dog grooming in Ireland costs €30–€90 per groom, typically around €50. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a dog groomer in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers dog groomer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — ear Cleaning and Teeth Brushing — groomers often include ear cleaning and teeth brushing in their services to promote overall hygiene.
- How does dog's size change the price?A compact job can be done in one visit; a large one rarely can. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does coat condition change the price?The starting point matters as much as the finish you want. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does complexity of the required services change the price?Intricate work needs a steadier hand and more time. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Services such as veterinary care, extensive medical grooming for skin conditions, or behavioural training are generally not included in standard grooming packages — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a dog groomer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO LICENCE OR REGISTER APPLIES TO DOG WALKERS, PET SITTERS OR GROOMERS IN IRELAND. Anyone may trade as one. The protection is insurance and what is written down — and the insurance that matters is not the obvious one.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL cover, not just public liability — public liability pays if your dog bites a stranger; care, custody and control is what pays if your dog is injured, lost or killed while in their charge, and plenty of walkers carry only the first; How many dogs are walked at once, and whether yours is walked with strangers' dogs; Whether they are insured to drive your dog in their vehicle, and how it is secured; What happens if your dog is hurt or runs — the plan, and which vet; Keys: who holds one, how it is returned, what happens if it is lost, in writing; Two references from current clients, called not read.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect care, custody and control cover as well as public liability. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers dog groomer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — ear Cleaning and Teeth Brushing — groomers often include ear cleaning and teeth brushing in their services to promote overall hygiene.
A good answer: A compact job can be done in one visit; a large one rarely can. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The starting point matters as much as the finish you want. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Intricate work needs a steadier hand and more time. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Services such as veterinary care, extensive medical grooming for skin conditions, or behavioural training are generally not included in standard grooming packages — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a dog groomer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect care, custody and control cover as well as public liability — nail Clipping — nail trimming is a standard part of dog grooming, essential for your pet's comfort and health.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the dog groomer starts, and an itemised invoice after — brushing and De-matting — groomers will brush your dog's coat to remove tangles and mats, which is especially important for long-haired breeds.
Getting the quote right
- Dog's size — a compact job can be done in one visit; a large one rarely can.
- Coat condition — the starting point matters as much as the finish you want.
- Complexity of the required services — intricate work needs a steadier hand and more time.
- Location of the groomer — a provider coming to you charges for the journey as well as the work.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: dog's size — a compact job can be done in one visit; a large one rarely can
- They will not talk about it: coat condition — the starting point matters as much as the finish you want
- They will not talk about it: complexity of the required services — intricate work needs a steadier hand and more time
- A price for the dog groomer before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the dog groomer has begun
What a dog groomer costs: €30–€90 per groom
The figures are for the job, per groom, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Full grooming and Bath and brush each carry their own band. Dog Grooming price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Dog groomers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstDog's size — a compact job can be done in one visit; a large one rarely can — that is what the dog groomer is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneCoat condition — the starting point matters as much as the finish you want — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfComplexity of the required services — intricate work needs a steadier hand and more time — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherLocation of the groomer — a provider coming to you charges for the journey as well as the work — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the dog groomer is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, discuss the products used during grooming to avoid potential allergies.
- Bathing and Drying
- Dog grooming typically starts with a thorough bath using pet-friendly shampoos to clean and refresh your dog’s coat.
- Brushing and De-matting
- Groomers will brush your dog's coat to remove tangles and mats, which is especially important for long-haired breeds.
- Nail Clipping
- Nail trimming is a standard part of dog grooming, essential for your pet's comfort and health.
- Ear Cleaning and Teeth Brushing
- Groomers often include ear cleaning and teeth brushing in their services to promote overall hygiene.
- Full Grooming
- A complete grooming service that includes washing, drying, brushing, and styling your dog’s coat.
- Bath and Brush
- A service focusing on cleaning and brushing your dog's coat, ideal for regular maintenance.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a dog groomer: questions people ask
The cost of dog grooming can vary based on factors such as the dog's size, breed, and coat condition. Additional services like de-matting or special treatments may also increase the price.
A typical dog grooming session can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the dog's size and the services requested. Larger or more complex grooming jobs may require more time.
While general pet groomers can handle most grooming tasks, a specialist may be required for specific breeds or conditions. It's advisable to check the groomer's experience with your dog's breed.
Many grooming salons offer same-day appointments, but availability can vary. It's best to call ahead to check if they can accommodate your request.
Booking multiple grooming services can often lead to discounts, as many groomers offer package deals. It's worth inquiring about any available promotions or bundled services.
Services such as veterinary care, extensive medical grooming for skin conditions, or behavioural training are generally not included in standard grooming packages. Be sure to discuss any specific needs with your groomer.
MORE GUIDES