Your Guide to Buying a Dog Grooming Business

Dog Grooming Business

Buying a dog grooming business can be a rewarding venture, especially if you like working with dogs and have a knack for clipping and washing. Hello show dogs! But as with all business purchases, it requires careful consideration to ensure you are buying the right business for you. 

If you are currently skilled in dog clipping and grooming then the next step could be to become a business owner. Buying an established dog grooming business that is for sale is a great way to enter the industry and take your skills to the next level. 

Australians love their pets, and dogs remain our most popular choice. According to Animal Medicines Australia’s 2025 Pets in Australia report, 49% of Australian households have at least one dog, with an estimated 7.4 million dogs nationwide. Pet ownership overall has also continued to grow, with 73% of Australian households now owning a pet. Can we get a woof woof?

But before you get caught up in the glitz of owning a dog salon and checking out the latest hair syles on Youtube, its important to look at the business subjectively so you understand what it involves and how you can actually make money.

A lot of the dog wash and groomers that are for sale are owner-operator, mobile or self-service kiosk. This means that you will be required to work to earn an income.

Some dog groomers are large enough to employ teams but it is not often the case. So review what is involved in buying a business and how this can be applied to dog groomers. 

 

10 things to consider when buying a dog wash or grooming business

 

1. Where is it Located?
 

Accessibility is crucial. People want to be able to easily get their dogs out of the car and bring them in. If they have to park 100 metres away and wrestle an excited Labrador down the street, they may be less likely to return.

The business should ideally be situated in a convenient area for customers, with easy access and parking.

It’s also worth looking at the surrounding area, local population and competition. An area with plenty of dog owners and limited grooming options may provide a very different opportunity to one already saturated with salons, mobile groomers and pet retailers offering grooming services.

 

2. Is it Making Money?
 

Understanding the financial performance of the business is an important part of assessing any opportunity.

Look at the financial statements from recent years and consider the revenue, expenses and profitability of the business. Rent, wages, utilities, grooming products, insurance, equipment maintenance and other operating expenses can all affect how much money the business actually makes.

You also need to look at how much time the current owner is investing in the business and how much they actually earn.

There are a lot of profitable dog grooming businesses, but you need to understand what is driving that profit. Is the owner grooming dogs five days a week? Are employees doing most of the work? Is the salon fully booked or does it have spare capacity?

Looking at the number of dogs groomed each day, average customer spend, forward bookings and how far in advance appointments are booked can help paint a clearer picture of how the business operates.

 

3. Who are the clients?
 

The existing client base can be a significant asset in a dog grooming business. Repeat customers are especially important because most dogs require grooming regularly throughout the year.

Look at the size of the customer database, repeat booking rates and how far ahead clients typically book. You also want to understand whether customers are loyal to the business itself or particularly attached to the current owner or individual groomers.

You need to be confident when buying the business that the clients will stay with you and not simply follow the owner elsewhere. Appropriate restraints and transition arrangements may form part of the sale, so these should be discussed with your professional advisers.

It’s also worth considering how much training and handover the seller is offering. Having time to meet regular clients and understand their dogs, preferences and booking habits can help create a smoother transition.

Online testimonials and customer reviews can also give you an indication of the business’s reputation. Strong reviews and repeat customers can be valuable when ownership changes hands.

 

4. Staff and Management
 

A lot of dog groomers are owner-operator or mobile, but experienced team are essential to the success of this business. No one wants their golden retreiver walking out with a poodle cut!

Some of the major retailers like Pet Barn offer grooming courses so you can improve your skills. 

Experienced and skilled staff are crucial for the success of a dog grooming business. Determine if the existing staff, especially groomers, will stay on post-acquisition.

It's also important to check the staff’s credentials and certifications to ensure they meet industry standards. Understanding the current management structure will help you decide if you need to hire additional managers or if you will take on a management role yourself.

 

5. Equipment and Supplies
 

Inspect the condition of the grooming equipment and facilities included in the sale.

Baths, grooming tables, dryers, clippers, cages, washing facilities and other equipment can represent a considerable investment, so understanding their age and condition is important.

You should also look at what stock and supplies are included, such as shampoos, conditioners, grooming products and retail items, and clarify exactly what is included in the asking price.

For mobile grooming businesses, the condition and fit-out of the vehicle or trailer can be particularly important.

 

6. Services Offered
 

Review the range of services currently offered by the business. In addition to washing, clipping and grooming, some businesses may offer nail trimming, de-shedding treatments, specialty grooming, daycare or retail pet products.

This can be an area where there may be room for future growth.

A lot of groomers don’t realise the value of the ‘upsell’. Retailing shampoos, brushes, treats and other pet products can provide another revenue stream alongside grooming services. Who doesn’t want to buy some dog treats today shaped like a donut!

It’s also worth looking at the existing pricing structure and comparing it with similar businesses in the area to understand how the business is positioned in the local market.

 

7. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
 

Make sure you understand what licences, registrations, insurance and council requirements apply to the business and its location.

Requirements can vary between councils and states, particularly where animals are being cared for on commercial premises or where a business is operating from home.

Health and safety are also important considerations. Grooming businesses need clean and safe facilities for the dogs in their care as well as appropriate working conditions for staff.

Professional advice can help you understand which requirements apply to the particular business you are considering.

 

8. Marketing and Branding
 

Assess the strength of the brand and its reputation in the local market.

Look at the business’s website, social media accounts, Google reviews and previous marketing. An established local presence and strong customer reviews can be valuable when taking over a business.

It’s also worth looking at how bookings are managed. Does the business have an online booking system? Are appointment reminders automated? Is there an established customer database? Does the business encourage customers to rebook before leaving?

These systems can make a big difference to how efficiently the business operates and how reliant it is on the current owner.

 

9. Growth Potential
 

Research trends in the pet grooming industry to understand the market's growth potential.

A growing market can offer more opportunities for expanding your business like adding on a pet shop. The seller may have written growth potential in their advertisement - so see what they reccommend, as they will know best at this moment. 

Just remember that potential is potential. Any future plans should be considered alongside the current performance of the business and your own research.

 

10. Personal Interest and Passion
 

Finally, make sure you have a genuine interest in working with animals.

If you don’t like dogs, probably look elsewhere. If you don’t like dirt and hair, probably look elsewhere.

Owning a dog grooming business can require patience, physical work and plenty of interaction with both dogs and their owners. Having an interest in the industry can make the day-to-day realities of running the business much more enjoyable.

 

Franchised Dog Grooming Trailers
 

Another option for people entering the dog grooming industry is to purchase a mobile grooming business or franchised dog grooming trailer.

A franchise may provide access to an established brand, operating systems, training and franchisor support. Mobile grooming can also offer convenience by bringing services directly to clients' homes while operating without the same type of retail premises as a traditional salon.

If you are considering a franchise, it’s important to understand the territory you are purchasing, the fees involved, what support is provided and how much competition exists in the area.

Clients are not guaranteed with a franchise model, and you will still need to work hard and hone your craft so customers continue to request your services.

You can explore franchise businesses for sale to see the types of opportunities currently available.

 

So are you ready to buy a dog wash or grooming business?
 

Dog grooming businesses come in all shapes and sizes, from owner-operated salons and mobile trailers through to larger businesses with established teams and customer databases.

The key is understanding exactly what you are buying, how reliant the business is on the current owner and where the income is actually coming from.

There may not be thousands of dog grooming businesses hitting the market at any one time, so it can be a good idea to register for alerts and keep an eye on new opportunities as they are listed.

Then, when the right one appears, you’ll hopefully be ready to sniff it out.

 

Originally published: 01/11/2011. Updated August 2026.

Tags: dog grooming dog wash businesses for sale

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