Dog Groomers in Newcastle

Plenty of dogs live in and around Newcastle city centre, in Quayside flats, Grainger Town terraces and the new apartments by the Ouseburn, but there is no dog grooming salon right in the middle of town. High rents and a lack of parking mean groomers set up just outside the core instead, on retail parks and in the inner suburbs on both sides of the river. None of them is far away, though, and most are an easy drive, bus or Metro ride from Grey's Monument. Here is our guide to the dog groomers central Newcastle owners actually use, and how to pick the right one for your dog.

East of the centre: Byker

Pets at Home Groom Room, Byker

The closest dedicated grooming salon to the city centre is the Pets at Home Groom Room inside the Pets at Home store on Newcastle Shopping Park, off the Fossway in Byker. It is only a few minutes' drive east of the centre, and the retail park has a large free car park, which counts for a lot when you are bringing home a freshly washed dog.

The salon offers dog grooming, nail clipping, puppy grooms and spa treatments, with a menu that runs from a quick Wash and Go and Bath and Brush up to a full groom with styling. Prices are set by the size of your dog and the service you choose, and can be checked and booked online through Pets at Home. Being part of a national chain, it is a consistent, easy-to-book option, and you can pick up food, toys and treats in the shop while you wait.

Best for: the nearest salon to the centre, with free parking and online booking.

Just north: Jesmond

My Dog Barber, Jesmond

A short hop north of Haymarket, My Dog Barber has a salon at 235 Jesmond Road, within walking distance for many people living on the northern edge of the centre. It is one of a small group of independent North East salons that also runs its own training academy for groomers.

The Jesmond salon offers bath packages, bath and style grooms for every breed and coat type, puppy grooming and ultrasonic teeth cleaning. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, and appointments can be booked online. For central residents it is the easiest independent salon to reach without a car.

Best for: an independent salon within walking distance of the northern edge of town.

South of the river: Gateshead

Pets at Home Groom Room, Gateshead

Over the river, the Pets at Home Groom Room in Gateshead sits in the Pets at Home store on Cameron Retail Park beside the Metrocentre. It offers the same range of grooming as the Byker salon, from puppy grooms and nail clipping to bath and brush packages, full grooms and spa treatments, and it is handy for anyone living on the west side of the city, or for combining a groom with a trip to the Metrocentre.

Best for: a second chain salon, convenient from the west end and the Metrocentre.

My Dog Barber, Low Fell

The same independent group also has a salon at 31-33 Belle Vue Bank in Low Fell, a straightforward drive or bus ride south over the Tyne Bridge. It offers grooming from the same group, with appointments bookable online. If the Jesmond salon is fully booked, it is worth checking Low Fell for an earlier slot.

Best for: an independent salon south of the river, and a good back-up for Jesmond.

Choosing a groomer

Every coat is different, so start by telling the groomer your dog's breed, age and coat condition, and be clear about what you want: a full clip, a tidy-up around the face and feet, or simply a bath and brush. Ask whether the groomer has experience with your breed, particularly if your dog has a double coat or needs hand stripping. Nervous, older or reactive dogs often do better with a quieter, one-to-one appointment, so mention any anxiety when you book.

Most dogs with continuously growing coats, such as poodles, cockapoos and many terrier crosses, need a professional groom every six to eight weeks, while short-coated breeds may only need occasional baths and nail trims. Puppies benefit from a short introductory visit early on, so they get used to the clippers, the dryer and being handled before they need a full groom.

Groomers are not vets, so if they spot a skin problem, lump or ear infection they will usually suggest you get it checked. Our guide to the best vets in Newcastle covers the practices serving the city, including round-the-clock emergency care.

After the groom

A freshly groomed dog deserves a walk and a treat. Our guide to dog-friendly Newcastle city centre rounds up the pubs, cafes and riverside walks where dogs are genuinely welcome, from Grainger Town to the Ouseburn.

Know a great dog groomer serving central Newcastle that we should include? Let us know.