Grooming

High-Maintenance Coat Breeds and What They Really Cost

A breed-by-breed breakdown of grooming costs for the most coat-intensive dogs and cats.

7 min read Updated June 2026

Key Takeaways

Poodles, Doodles, and Bichons are among the most expensive breeds to maintain professionally.
Annual professional grooming for a Goldendoodle can exceed $1,200.
Long-coated cats like Persians require daily brushing and regular professional grooming.
Choosing a low-maintenance coat breed can save $400–$800/year compared to a high-maintenance one.

The Most Expensive Dog Breeds to Groom

These breeds require the most grooming — professionally or at home:

Poodle (all sizes): Curly coats mat quickly and require clipping every 6–8 weeks. Annual professional grooming: $720–$1,200.

Goldendoodle / Labradoodle: Wavy or curly coats similar to Poodles. Without regular grooming, coats mat severely. Annual professional grooming: $800–$1,400.

Bichon Frise: Dense, curly white coat. Regular grooming to prevent matting. Annual: $650–$1,000.

Shih Tzu: Long, silky coat or a puppy cut requiring regular maintenance. Annual: $550–$900.

Old English Sheepdog: Dense, profuse coat requiring frequent brushing and bathing. Annual: $600–$1,100.

Afghan Hound: The most labour-intensive coat in the dog world. Professional grooming: $100–$180 per session. Annual: $900–$1,800.

High-Maintenance Cat Breeds

Long-coated cats require significantly more grooming than short-coated breeds:

Persian: Daily brushing required to prevent matting. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks strongly recommended. Annual grooming cost: $400–$700.

Maine Coon: Semi-long coat that, surprisingly, is relatively tangle-resistant. Weekly brushing and 3–4 professional grooms per year. Annual: $250–$450.

Ragdoll: Similar to Maine Coon. Weekly brushing, seasonal professional grooms. Annual: $200–$400.

Himalayan: Persian-type coat with heavy undercoat. Daily brushing essential. Annual professional grooming: $400–$650.

The True Cost of Ignoring Grooming

When high-maintenance coats are not groomed regularly, they mat — sometimes severely. A severely matted dog or cat requires a professional "dematting" treatment or, in severe cases, a shave-down under sedation.

Dematting: $50–$150 on top of the standard groom fee.

Shave-down under sedation (for severe matting): $200–$500, plus the cost of regrowth management.

Beyond the financial cost, severe matting is painful for the animal — mats pull the skin, restrict movement, and can trap moisture and cause skin infections. Regular grooming is both a financial and welfare requirement for high-maintenance breeds.