Guide
Choosing a Dog Groomer: 10 Questions to Ask Before Booking
No UK nation licenses dog groomers or requires a qualification, so the checks fall to the owner. Ten questions that show how a groomer works before your dog is on the table.
How do you choose a dog groomer?
Ask how they work before you book: what qualifications they hold, whether they are insured to care for your dog, how many dogs they handle at once, how they dry dogs, and what they do if a coat is matted. Dog grooming is not a licensed activity in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and there is no public register of qualified groomers, so these answers are the only check there is.
A good answer is specific. "We use a stand dryer and never leave a dog in a heated cage" tells you more than "we take great care".
What should you ask a groomer before booking?
1. What qualifications do you hold? City & Guilds 7863-03 (Level 3), iPET Network Level 3 or Level 4, and ICMG are the common ones. None is required by law.
2. Are you insured, including for dogs in your care? Ask specifically about care, custody and control cover, which covers injury to a client's dog.
3. How many dogs are in the salon at once? One-to-one salons and mobile vans take one dog at a time; busier salons may have several dogs waiting.
4. How do you dry dogs? Heated cage dryers carry a risk of overheating, especially for flat-faced breeds. Many groomers use only hand-held or stand dryers.
5. What do you do if my dog is matted? A clear policy, often a short clip, is a good sign.
6. How long will my dog be with you? Two to four hours is common for a full groom.
7. Do you take my dog's size and breed? Some salons do not take giant breeds or hand-strip.
8. What happens if my dog is stressed? Breaks, stopping early, or a shorter first visit.
9. Do you have canine first aid training? Many groomers do; ask.
10. What is your cancellation and deposit policy?
What should you look for on a first visit?
Look at the room, not the reception. The grooming area should be clean, with non-slip tables, grooming loops, and dogs never left unattended on a table. Water and a quiet space for waiting dogs matter. A groomer who asks about your dog's health, age, skin problems and behaviour before starting is doing the job properly.
Do qualifications matter?
They show training, not talent, and some very experienced groomers hold none. A Level 3 diploma means the groomer has been assessed on bathing, drying, clipping, scissoring, health checks and handling across a range of breeds. A groomer who states a qualification should be able to tell you which awarding body issued it. Some City & Guilds holders publish a digital badge you can check.
What should you tell the groomer?
Your dog's age, any health conditions, skin or ear problems, lumps, recent surgery, medication, and anything they dislike, such as feet being handled or the dryer. Tell them how long since the last groom. Show a photo of the style you want; words like "short" and "tidy" mean different things to different people.
Common questions
Do dog groomers need a licence?
No. Dog grooming is not licensable anywhere in the UK as of October 2026. Scotland consulted on licensing groomers in 2023 but has not introduced it.
Is a qualified groomer better?
Not automatically, but a recognised qualification shows assessed training in handling, health checks and coat care. Ask which qualification and which awarding body.
Should I stay with my dog during the groom?
Most salons prefer you do not, because many dogs settle better without their owner in sight. A mobile groomer may be happy for you to see the van first.