Dog Breed Grooming Standards

Non-shedding / curly coat

Poodles have one of the most maintenance-heavy coats of any companion breed. Because the curly coat keeps growing and holds shed hair against the skin, it mats quickly without consistent brushing and needs regular clipping. The trade-off is a genuinely low-shedding, low-dander dog that suits allergy-conscious households.

$75–$110 full groom in SEQ

Non-shedding / curly coat

The Cavoodle is one of Australia's most popular family dogs, and its low-shedding coat is a big part of the appeal. Coat texture varies from soft waves to tight curls depending on the individual, but all of them mat if left unbrushed. Regular home brushing plus a groom every 5–6 weeks keeps the coat soft and comfortable.

$70–$100 full groom in SEQ

Non-shedding / curly coat

Labradoodles and Groodles (Golden Retriever x Poodle) carry the Poodle's low-shedding fleece or wool coat on a larger frame, which means a lot of coat to maintain. These coats are notorious for matting, particularly as puppies transition into their adult coat. Consistent line-brushing and a clip-down every couple of months are essential.

$90–$130 full groom in SEQ (size dependent)

Long-coated

The Maltese carries a long, flowing, pure-white single coat with a silky texture and no undercoat. It sheds very little but tangles readily, and the breed's prominent eyes and pale coat make tear staining a constant management task. Owners choose between a glamorous long coat that demands daily work or an easy-care puppy clip.

$60–$95 full groom in SEQ

Long-coated

The Shih Tzu's long, dense double coat is luxurious but high-maintenance, and the flat face with large eyes makes facial care a daily priority. Left long, the coat mats quickly; most pet owners keep it in a practical puppy clip. Eye and fold cleaning is just as important as coat care for this breed.

$65–$100 full groom in SEQ

Non-shedding / curly coat

The Bichon Frise is defined by its soft, powder-puff white coat — a dense double coat of curls that sheds almost nothing but mats extremely easily. The signature rounded, scissored trim takes real skill to achieve and the white coat shows every stain. This is a high-maintenance breed best suited to owners committed to daily brushing.

$70–$105 full groom in SEQ

Wiry / terrier

The Miniature Schnauzer's wiry double coat and signature beard, eyebrows and leg furnishings make it instantly recognisable. There's an important choice for this breed: hand-stripping, which preserves the harsh coat texture and rich colour, versus clipping, which is easier but softens the coat over time. Either way, the furnishings need regular care to stay clean and mat-free.

$70–$100 full groom in SEQ

Long-coated

Cocker Spaniels carry a flat, silky body coat with abundant feathering on the ears, legs, chest and underside — beautiful but prone to matting and debris. The long, low-set ears are a particular care priority, as their poor airflow makes ear infections common. The breed needs regular brushing plus a tidy spaniel trim every 6–8 weeks.

$80–$115 full groom in SEQ

Double-coated

The Pomeranian's fluffy 'pom-pom' look comes from a thick double coat — a dense undercoat beneath a long, stand-off outer coat. The single most important grooming rule for this breed is never to shave it to the skin, as that can trigger coat funk (post-clipping alopecia) where the coat grows back patchy or not at all. Regular brushing and light tidying keep it healthy.

$65–$95 groom in SEQ

Double-coated

The Border Collie has a practical, weather-resistant double coat that should be maintained rather than clipped. Grooming focuses on de-shedding and line-brushing to clear the dense undercoat, plus tidying the feathering and sanitary areas. As a high-energy working breed, much of the routine is also about keeping the coat free of grass seeds and debris.

$90–$120 de-shedding groom in SEQ

Double-coated

The Labrador's short double coat is low-maintenance in terms of styling but a heavy shedder, so de-shedding is the focus rather than clipping or trimming. The coat is dense and water-resistant by design and should never be shaved. Regular de-shedding baths and weekly brushing keep loose hair and the famous 'Lab smell' under control.

$90–$120 de-shedding bath in SEQ

Double-coated

Golden Retrievers have a long, dense double coat with attractive feathering that needs regular brushing and de-shedding rather than clipping. They shed heavily, so managing the undercoat is the priority, alongside keeping the feathering tidy and free of mats and debris. The coat should never be shaved, only neatened.

$100–$130 de-shedding groom in SEQ

Double-coated

German Shepherds are famously heavy shedders, nicknamed 'German shedders' for good reason. Their dense double coat needs regular de-shedding and brushing rather than any clipping, and it should never be shaved. Managing the thick undercoat — especially during the dramatic seasonal coat blows — is the heart of grooming this breed.

$100–$130 de-shedding groom in SEQ

Double-coated

The Siberian Husky has one of the most impressive double coats of any breed — a thick, woolly undercoat under a straight guard coat that's superbly insulating. The cardinal rule is never to shave a Husky: the coat protects against both cold and heat and may not regrow correctly. Grooming is all about de-shedding the spectacular seasonal coat blows.

$100–$130 de-shedding groom in SEQ

Short-coated

The French Bulldog's short, smooth coat is genuinely easy to maintain, but this breed's grooming is less about the coat and more about the skin — particularly the facial folds and tail pocket, which trap moisture and need regular cleaning. Ear care and a watchful eye on the skin round out a simple but important routine.

$45–$75 bath and tidy in SEQ

Short-coated

The Staffy is about as low-maintenance as grooming gets — a short, smooth single coat that needs only a weekly brush and the occasional bath. The breed's main grooming consideration is skin health, as Staffies are notably prone to allergies and skin sensitivities. A rubber hound glove and a watchful eye on the skin cover most of what's needed.

$45–$70 bath and tidy in SEQ

Long-coated

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a soft, silky coat with elegant feathering that's traditionally kept as natural as possible — the breed is meant to be tidied, not heavily trimmed. The long ear feathering is the main maintenance point, mat-prone and dipping into food and water bowls. Regular brushing keeps the silky coat looking its best.

$60–$90 groom in SEQ

Wiry / terrier

The Jack Russell comes in three coat types — smooth, broken and rough — and grooming needs vary accordingly. The smooth coat is wash-and-go easy, while the rough and broken coats carry the harsh, wiry terrier texture that's traditionally maintained by hand-stripping rather than clipping. All types are robust, weather-resistant working coats that shed more than people expect.

$45–$80 in SEQ depending on coat type