Most people get haircuts to look good, feel good, or just start fresh. But for dogs, grooming is about their health and the tidiness of your home. A well-groomed dog sheds less and is less likely to have fleas and ticks. That means eliminating discomforts like matted fur and skin infections, and your home remains clean. After all, no one wants a dirty, smelly dog jumping on the couch or rolling around on clean sheets.
However, many dogs don't enjoy being groomed. While some parents prefer to groom their dogs at home, the reality is that if your furry friend dislikes the process, it strains your bond rather than strengthen it. Also, grooming a dog requires care and patience, especially if you're dealing with a fluffy breed, a puppy, or a dog with behavioral problems. Instead of trying to manage a poofy mane, a frilly bow, or a stubborn, soaking-wet furry friend running around the house, consider sending him to a professional groomer.
Professional groomers have the tools, skills, and experience you don't have at home. They know how to handle different dog sizes and temperaments. But who is the best groomer? The truth is, grooming is a regular necessity, and you can't realistically hop on a plane to visit the so-called "best" groomer in North America every time your dog needs a trim. The best choice is simply the largest, most reputable groomer near you. Today's guide is dedicated to Toronto dog owners, and we'll focus on 5 large dog groomers in Toronto.
5 Large Dog Groomers in Toronto
When a dog sheds, loose hair tangles and forms mats. These mats grow tighter and tighter, tugging on the dog's skin and causing painful, irritating patches. In severe cases, the sores become infected. The problem is that all of this is hidden beneath the dog's fur, making it easy to miss if you don't regularly check your dog's coat.
A professional grooming session usually includes coat care, that is brushing, bathing, and drying your dog. Even if your dog doesn't look messy, regular brushing helps ventilate the coat and remove old, damaged hair. Regular grooming also allows your dog's skin to breathe and prevents excess grease from building up in their coat. Note that too much grease can clog pores, causing irritation and skin problems.
Dogs can't tell us when something's wrong. Grooming gives a chance to check the health and condition of the skin. According to Lauren Lakritz, an Animal Care Technician at the ASPCA's Animal Recovery Center, grooming is as important as taking your dog to the vet for checkups.
A professional groomer carefully inspects your dog for signs of infections, lumps, inflammation, lesions, and rashes. This hands-on attention helps catch potential problems early. They'll also clean your dog's ears, checking for signs of infection. Once the coat is dry, the groomer will trim, clip, or shave your dog's fur based on your preference or the breed's specific needs. Now that we've covered the basics of why grooming is so important, let's get into our review of the top 5 large dog groomers in Toronto.
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Dogfather & Co.
DogFather & Co is a one-stop shop for all things dog-related. They offer services grooming, fitting consultations, teeth cleaning, and even custom cakes and ID tags. On top of that, they sell dog products like treats, toys, food, and clothes. This makes Dogfather a go-to destination for dog owners.
The company has two major locations. One is at 179 Avenue Rd in Yorkville, right next to CrossFit YKV and across from CGL Architects, near the Avenue Road and Davenport Road intersection. The other is at 1007 Yonge Street in Rosedale, next to Paris Grocery. This location is perfect for multitasking. You can drop your pup off for grooming while you pick up groceries next door. Even though the two branches are less than a kilometer apart, they have slightly different operating hours.
The Yorkville location is open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, while the Rosedale branch stays open a bit longer, up to 6:30 pm. The good news is that both locations are open on weekends, making it convenient for busy dog owners. It’s worth noting that grooming hours start earlier than retail hours. If you have a scheduled appointment, make sure to arrive on time, and the groomer on duty will let you in.
To book an appointment, the company requires a 50% deposit or a credit card number. The reason is that groomers work on commission. If you don’t show up for your appointment or cancel at the last minute, it leaves a gap in the schedule. That means the groomer loses out on income. However, your card won't be charged unless you fail to follow the cancellation policy.
It’s also important to note that the company doesn’t handle bookings, cancellations, or appointment changes over email. To make any changes or cancel an appointment, call directly. Aside from that, DogFather has a 4.4-star rating from 329 reviewers. So, why not a perfect 5? Some customers have mentioned that the grooming staff are a bit rude at times, and there have been complaints about unexpected extra charges beyond the original quote.
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Juju Grooms
Juju Grooms is a relatively new player in the pet grooming scene, having been established just three years ago. But it has quickly made a name for itself. The company is founded on the principles of positive reinforcement and low-impact grooming. It prioritizes creating a stress-free and enjoyable environment for pets. This approach has already earned Juju Grooms industry recognition, with features in The Toronto Star, British Vogue, Glamour, and British GQ.
The same is reflected in the customers. Juju Grooms have earned themselves a 4.8 star rating from 360 users. The company operates out of three locations across Toronto. The first branch is in Parkdale, located along Queen Street, directly across from Parkdale Hall. The second location is Shop Juju at 801 Dundas Street West in the Trinity Bellwoods neighborhood. Lastly, there’s Kitty Korner, situated at 494 Eastern Avenue.
However, Kitty Korner is exclusively for cats, so don’t bring your dog there! Juju Grooms offers grooming services tailored to your dog’s size, with six packages available: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Giant. These packages are further broken down into specific service categories as follows:
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Full groom: A comprehensive package includes a bath, blow-dry, nail trim, sanitary clip, ear cleaning, and a full haircut. It’s perfect for dogs needing a complete refresh from head to tail.
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Bath and Tidy: The package is ideal for maintenance between full grooms. It includes a bath, blow-dry, nail trim, brush-out or de-shedding, sanitary clip (bum and paws), ear cleaning, and face trim. It’s also the best option for Puppy’s First Groom, as it introduces puppies to grooming in a gentle, positive way.
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Bath and Deshedding: The service is designed for short-haired breeds. It includes a bath, blow-dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, and de-shedding to remove excess undercoat and keep shedding under control.
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Bath and Dry: This is a basic package that includes a bath and blow-dry. It’s only suitable for dogs that have been groomed recently and don’t require any brushing.
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Walk-in services: For quick touch-ups, Juju Grooms offers walk-in services. These can include ear plucking, external anal gland expression, teeth brushing, face trimming, sanitary shaving around the bum and groin, paw pad shaving, and nail trimming. The groomer will assess your furry friend and discuss a plan tailored to him.
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Paws in the Bath
Paws in the Bath is arguably the largest and highest-rated dog grooming company on this list. With over 16 years of experience serving Toronto and surrounding areas, they’ve worked with every type of dog, regardless of breed, size, coat type, or temperament. The company has a team of more than 30 trained and certified pet grooming professionals and operates across six locations, including Aurora, King, Newmarket, Keswick, Bradford, and Toronto.
The Toronto branch is located at 2491 Queen St E, next to Training Pad. What sets Paws in the Bath apart is their commitment to creating a stress-free environment for pets. They operate on a no-cage policy, meaning your dog won’t be confined to a crate before or after grooming. Instead, they focus on building a genuine bond with each pet, making the experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. This approach has earned them good reviews.
For instance, the company has garnered 4.5+ star ratings in all 6 locations. Another standout feature of Paws in the Bath is their DIY bathing option. If you want to bathe your furry friend yourself, you can use their fully equipped self-wash stations, which come stocked with shampoo, conditioner, towels, and grooming tools. Plus, staff members are available to assist and answer any questions. Keep in mind that reservations are required, so be sure to call ahead to secure your spot.
The company is also highly accommodating to dogs with special needs, including those with medical conditions, allergies, elderly dogs, and disabled pets. Simply inform them of any specific requirements when scheduling your appointment. Paws in the Bath follows a comprehensive four-step grooming process: the coat and skin, ears, teeth, and nails.
One important note: For the safety of all pets, the company requires proof of up-to-date vaccinations, including rabies and distemper. So, make sure you have your dog’s records ready before booking an appointment.
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Dog World Resort & Spa
Dog World Resort & Spa offers comprehensive dog-related services like grooming, apparel, and daycare. The spa is located at 23 Camden St, just near the Toronto streetcar system. Unlike many grooming salons that require you to pick up your dog immediately after their appointment, Dog World’s daycare facilities allow your pup to stay longer, giving you the flexibility to go to work or run errands without rushing back.
However, keep in mind that Dog World Resort & Spa closes at 7 pm on weekdays and 6 pm on Saturdays. The company enforces a $1 per minute late pick-up fee, which applies immediately after closing. So, make sure you pick up your pet before closing time to avoid additional costs. Also, the company has a de-matting policy. If your dog has severe mats, an additional fee of $15 per 20 minutes will be added to the base grooming cost.
Another thing is that all grooming services are by appointment only. If you’re more than 15 minutes late, a $25 late fee will be applied. After that, it’s up to the groomer’s discretion whether they can still accommodate your dog. If your appointment has to be canceled due to a late arrival or a no-show, you’ll still be charged a late cancellation/no-show fee.
Regardless of these seemingly harsh policies, Dog World Resort & Spa is highly rated, with a 4.8-star rating from 175 users. The spa offers three grooming packages:
Full Grooming
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Bathing
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Brushing and blow-drying
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Nail trimming
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Full-body hair cut
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Pawdad shaving
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Ear cleaning
Bath and Blow Dry
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Bathing
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Brushing and blow-drying
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Ear cleaning
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Nail trimming
Clean Up
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Bathing
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Brushing and blow-drying
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Trimming of face, head, legs, and bum hairs
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Pawpad shaving
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Ear cleaning
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Nail trimming
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Pawfect Spa Ltd.
Pawfect Spa Ltd stands out as a top-tier grooming service in Toronto, having been recognized as The Best Pet Grooming in Toronto for 2022. The recognition was well deserved. The company has an impressive quality score of over 95%. Established in 2003, Pawfect Spa now has more than a decade of experience in dog grooming. Its owner, Elsie Tang, is a certified master groomer accredited by the International Professional Groomers.
Pawfect Spa ranks just behind Dog World Resort & Spa in customer satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating from 152 customers. What really stands out is their pricing transparency. Their website provides a detailed price breakdown based on your dog’s breed and the level of grooming required so you know what to expect before booking.
The spa is located at 207 Avenue Road, directly across from Avenue Cigars, just about 100 meters away from DogFather’s Yorkville branch. While the storefront itself is relatively small, the team is made up of over eight pet professionals. Here’s how Pawfect Spa categorizes its grooming services:
Full Groom Package
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Hair clipping and hand scissoring
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15 minutes of basic brushing
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Hand fluff drying
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Shampoo and conditioning
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Pad trimming
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Nail trimming
Deluxe Bath Package
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Hand fluff drying
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Shampoo and conditioning
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Pad trimming
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Ear plucking and cleaning
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Nail trimming
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15 minutes of basic brushing
Shedless Treatment
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Full groom package included
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Deep brushing
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Bath with de-de-shedding solutions
Final Thoughts
The best groomer is one who knows how to handle your dog’s coat, understands their temperament, and makes the whole experience stress-free. Of course, you’ll only get this level of service from large groomers that operate with trained and certified teams. In a city full of options, I’ve rounded up the best groomers in Toronto so you can skip the trial-and-error and go straight to the pros. Keep in mind that most groomers don’t publicly state their pricing due to variations in coat condition, size of the dog, and level of grooming needed. So, get in touch with your preferred company for a more tailored pricing.