Best dog groomers in Inner West

Best dog groomers in Inner West, ranked

1. 

   #1Star Paws Grooming Studio for hand-stripping and breed cuts

   Based in Petersham

   Star Paws Grooming Studio is based in Petersham, and it is the only pick that lists hand-stripping alongside scissor and breed cuts. The business names poodles, bichons, bedlington terriers, West Highland white terriers and Lakeland terriers as breeds the head groomer specialises in. It says the team works patiently with nervous puppies, and customers say noise-sensitive and anxious dogs are handled gently. Book through the Book Now button online. No prices are published, and parking on Crystal Street is limited, with spaces available from 9am to 3:30pm.

2. 

   #2BAMBO＆POCHI Grooming for full clips and puppy cuts priced by size

   Prices publishedBased in Dulwich Hill

   BAMBO＆POCHI Grooming is based in Dulwich Hill and publishes prices by dog size for clips, tidy-ups and washes. A medium full clip is $140, a medium breed or long clip is $160, and a small tidy-up on a short coat is $85. Each groom comes with a wash, nail cut, ear clean and anal gland expression. Puppy cuts for dogs under four months start from $90, and the salon names Cavoodles, Cavaliers and poodles among the breeds it cuts. An extra-large full clip is quoted on request, so ask for the price when you book.

3. #3Pawz In Style Dog Grooming Salon for nervous dogs and matted coats

   Nervous dogsBased in Croydon Park

   Pawz In Style Dog Grooming Salon is based in Croydon Park and takes both dogs and cats. Customers say nervous dogs are handled patiently and gently, and the salon says some dogs need time and trust before a groom. Matted coats are taken on without criticism, and owners get straight advice on coat care afterwards. The listing shows de-shedding treatments and puppy grooming, and the salon is fully air-conditioned, the business says. Prices aren't published, so ask for a quote when you call, and read its cat grooming menu first.

4. 

   #4Darling Dogs Boutique for weight-based grooms and dog daycare

   Prices publishedBased in Balmain

   Darling Dogs Boutique sits on Darling Street in Balmain, and runs dog daycare alongside its grooms. Daycare is $60 for a half day and $75 for a full day. Grooms are priced by the dog's weight band: a wash and dry starts at $80 for a dog under 10kg and $160 for one of 30 to 39.9kg, and a full groom starts at $130 for the smallest band. A $3 green fee applies to every grooming service. The salon is step-free, and it takes bookings by phone rather than online.

5. 

   #5Hot Dog Cool Cat Pet Salon for breed cuts and cat grooming

   Nervous dogsBased in Erskineville

   Hot Dog Cool Cat Pet Salon is based in Erskineville, on Erskineville Road, and grooms dogs and cats in an air-conditioned salon. Its menu includes breed cuts, summer and winter clips, and full grooms with a hygiene tidy, bath and blow dry. Cat grooming runs on Mondays and dog grooming from Tuesday to Saturday. The salon says it doesn't sedate, and it sends aggressive dogs or pets that need vet care to the Sydney Animal Hospitals next door. Several owners say staff were gentle with timid, anxious and senior dogs, and booking is through the Book Now link.

6. 

   #6Newtown Sakura la Dog Grooming Salon for scissor cuts and styling

   Prices publishedNervous dogsBased in Newtown

   Newtown Sakura la Dog Grooming Salon has its main shop on Wilson Street, with a sister shop in Edgecliff. Staff from Japan and South Korea hand-scissor styles for every breed, the business says, from scissor cuts to short clips. Prices are set by weight: a clip cut for a dog of 5 to 12.9kg starts at $120, and a style cut for a dog of 13 to 24.9kg starts at $160. Regulars describe the team as careful with dogs that dislike grooms. Online booking isn't offered, so book by phone or in person and mention a matted coat, since prices vary with coat length and condition.

7. #7Petropolis Pet Grooming for detailed trims on doodles and curly coats

   Based in Leichhardt

   Petropolis Pet Grooming, based in Leichhardt, focuses on neat trims and full grooms for doodles and other curly coats. Customers praise the neat haircuts, and say dogs come home clean with paws and details finished well. Staff are patient with anxious dogs, and customers say they stay patient when an owner needs a dog kept longer during a groom. One owner says the team followed a request for how long to keep the ears and top of the head exactly, so say what you want when booking. One owner also says the salon is always busy, so book ahead.

8. #8Ashfield Pet Mansion for stylish cuts and calm, relaxed grooms

   Based in Ashfield

   Ashfield Pet Mansion is based in Ashfield, on Liverpool Road, and is open every day from 10am to 5pm. Stylish cuts earn praise from customers, who say dogs stay calm and relaxed while they are groomed. Because it closes at 5pm, a drop-off after work isn't possible, so plan a morning or lunchtime visit. No prices or services are listed. One visitor says dogs wait in a tiled play area while they're groomed, so ask where your dog will be during the groom.

Compare dog groomers in Inner West

The table below compares where each groomer is based, its hours and whether it publishes prices.

Ratings show from 5 Google reviews.

How we picked dog groomers in Inner West

The list is ordered by customer feedback, weighted so that feedback from many customers counts for more than from a few. It then favours the range of services each business lists, published prices, online booking, and what customers say about calm handling of nervous dogs. Every pick's own pages were read for how it handles this kind of job. No pick is ranked by distance, so a groomer in another suburb can sit above one nearby.