Mixed coats, mixed routines.
- Local authority
- London Borough of Croydon
- Postcode district
- CR0
- From central London
- 9 mi south
- Main roads
- the A23, Wellesley Road and the A232
- Where dogs walk
- Lloyd Park, Addington Hills and the green spaces around Selsdon
A lot of Croydon's dogs are short-coated: Staffordshire Bull Terrier types, Boxers and Jack Russell crosses. These dogs need little in the way of clipping, but they do benefit from a regular bath, a rubber curry brush to loosen shed hair and a close look at their skin. Dry patches and small bumps are best mentioned to a vet.
Addington Hills and the wooded edges around Selsdon offer muddy, sloping paths, and rainy weeks turn them into sticky red-brown clay. It dries hard in a coat and in the pads, so a gentle paw wash after a walk and a groomer's pad trim every so often keeps feet comfortable.
Smaller, longer-haired dogs, especially Shih Tzus and Maltese, are common in Croydon's flats, and these coats mat easily at the topknot, ears and trousers. Many owners choose a short, easy-care trim and a visit every four to six weeks to avoid daily detangling.
Lloyd Park is a favourite for busy dog walkers, and its big grass areas give dogs plenty of exercise. Nails still wear unevenly, so a nail check every month is worthwhile, particularly for older dogs that walk less than they once did.
Estimates, not quotes. Real prices depend on the groomer, the dog and the area.
Bath and Brush£40 to £75 per visit→Nails and Tidy-Ups£10 to £25 per visit→Full Groom£55 to £120 per groom→How to get your plan moving.
- Note your dog's coat type, how often it tangles and what it finds hard, such as the dryer, clippers or having its feet touched.
- Ask each groomer you consider how they dry, how long dogs are in the salon and what they do when a dog becomes upset.
- Choose one brushing habit to practise after walks near Lloyd Park, Addington Hills and the green spaces around Selsdon, and repeat it every day for two weeks.
Nearby communities. Also in this guide.
Local resources. Learn more about Croydon.
How to read these pages
Specific advice. Honest limits.
From K9PN. Read the Disclaimer for specifics.
Good questions
Before you begin.
Do short-coated dogs need grooming?
They do not need clipping, but a regular bath, brushing and nail care keep skin and feet healthy.
How do I deal with clay mud on paws?
Let it dry, then brush it off, or rinse with lukewarm water. A groomer can trim the hair between the pads to help.
Is a short trim kind for a matted Shih Tzu?
It can be. If mats are tight to the skin, a short clip is often gentler than pulling them out.