Do You Groom Large Dogs or Have Size Restrictions?

If you have a big dog, you may have tried calling a groomer before. When you tell them the breed, there is a pause and then they ask you how much your dog weighs. And if you’re over the cutoff, then you’re back to searching.

This happens often to pet parents of bernese mountain dogs, standard poodles, German shepherds, and Great Pyrenees. These are some of the most popular breeds in the country. And yet even saying that, a surprising number of groomers, both mobile and salon, won’t take them.

Why Mobile Dog Grooming Size Limits Exist

Groomers set limits based on practical constraints rather than preference. Salon tubs and tables are built for a certain size range. Mobile vans have a fixed footprint, and the equipment inside has to accommodate the dog safely. A 30-pound cocker spaniel can go right in the back of a grooming van, no problem. A 110-pound Great Pyrenees is going to require a different setup altogether.

Large dogs also take longer to bathe, dry, and groom. This is even more the case for heavy-coated breeds. In that way, a standard poodle in a full coat can easily take twice as long as a miniature. A bernese mountain dog in the middle of blowing their coat is going to need multiple hours. Groomers who schedule tight appointment blocks can’t always make that happen.

Large Dog Mobile Grooming & What Woofie's® Can Handle

Woofie's of East Louisville grooms many large breeds. The general guideline is 80 pounds, but that’s not a hard cutoff. Whether your dog is a fit for mobile grooming also depends on breed, weight, coat condition, and temperament. A calm 90-pound golden retriever, after all, is a lot different from a reactive 90-pound dog who’s never been groomed before.

Big dogs benefit from regular grooming as much as, if not more, than small dogs. They just need different things.

Double-coated breeds like goldens, German shepherds, and Great Pyrenees shed heavily, especially in spring and fall. A professional deshedding treatment removes the loose undercoat that brushing at home can't fully reach. That alone can cut down on shedding for four to six weeks, which is no small benefit considering these dogs can fill literal trash bags with loose fur.

Labs have short coats but they shed constantly and are prone to skin issues that benefit from regular bathing with the right products. Standard poodles don't shed much but their curly coat mats quickly without consistent grooming. Three to four weeks is the standard for poodles in longer cuts.

The same is true for Bernese mountain dogs and similar heavy-coated breeds. They’re prone to mats. So in those places where mats form, behind the ears, in the armpits, on the backs of legs, and around harness lines, they’ll need more attention. These breeds also tend to overheat during grooming, which is why having a climate-controlled mobile van is often better than a busy salon where temperature control is shared across the whole space.

Nail trims also matter more for large dogs. A 90-pound dog with overgrown nails puts significantly more stress on their joints and paw structure than a 15-pound dog with the same issue. Regular trims every four to six weeks keep nails at a healthy length.

How to Set Up a Mobile Dog Grooming Appointment

Call ahead and be specific if you think your dog may be too large for mobile grooming. Tell the groomer your dog's breed, weight, coat condition, and anything relevant about their temperament or grooming history. This screening is intended to help the groomer prepare to give your dog the best possible experience.

If your dog is over the general weight guideline, the groomer will tell you straight. And if mobile grooming isn’t a fit, they can help you find another way to accommodate your pet.

Ready to schedule? Call Woofie's® of East Louisville at (502) 362-7265 or book online to discuss your dog's grooming needs.