Cost guide
Hand stripping prices in the UK
Hand stripping costs £61 to £82 for a small dog, £70 to £100 for a medium dog and £81 to £134 for a large dog, the middle half of published UK prices in October 2026. The middle half of 9 border terrier prices is £65 to £69. Groomers who charge by time ask £30 to £44 an hour.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A price depends on your dog.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Small dog (10 prices) | £61 to £82 |
| Medium dog (9 prices) | £70 to £100 |
| Large dog, such as an Airedale (10 prices) | £81 to £134 |
| Border terrier (9 prices) | £65 to £69 |
| Charged by the hour (14 rates) | £30 to £44 an hour |
| Giant breed (4 prices) | too few to give a range |
Each figure is the middle half of published prices, checked October 2026. Hand stripping costs more than a clip for the same dog because it takes two or three times as long. The saving from clipping instead is real, but over a year or two it changes the coat's texture and colour, and some coats do not fully come back.
What moves the price
- Breed and size. A border or cairn terrier takes two hours or so; an Airedale or giant schnauzer can take twice that.
- Coat condition. A coat kept rolling with a maintenance strip every 8 to 12 weeks is quick; one left for months, or clipped in the past, takes much longer and may cost a full-strip price.
- Full or maintenance strip. Several groomers charge less for a maintenance strip when the dog comes back within their recommended window.
- By the hour or by the job. The middle half of 14 published hourly rates is £30 to £44, and they run from £25 to £63; a fixed price protects you on a coat in poor condition.
- Region. London's middle half is £79 to £118 across all sizes, from 16 prices by 6 groomers, against £60 to £80 elsewhere.
Who quotes for it
585 of the 5,997 groomers listed on this site take on hand stripping.
Where they are: Aylesbury (5), Banbury (5), Basingstoke (5), Cheltenham (5), Fareham (5).
Questions about hand stripping
Why do fewer groomers offer hand stripping?
It is slow and physically demanding, often two to three and a half hours for one dog, and takes practice to do well. Many groomers offer it only on request or by consultation, and some do not offer it at all.
How long does hand stripping take?
Two to three hours for a small terrier and up to three and a half or more for a large dog or a neglected coat. One groomer books every strip as a three-hour slot.