Common walks, burrs and curly coats.
- Local authority
- London Borough of Merton
- Postcode district
- SW19
- From central London
- 7 mi southwest
- Main roads
- Wimbledon Hill Road, Merton Road and the A3
- Where dogs walk
- Wimbledon Common, Cannizaro Park and the residential streets of the Village
A morning on Wimbledon Common means woodland paths, gorse, bracken and long grass, and curly or feathered coats pick up seed heads and burrs very quickly. If you can feel small hard lumps near the ears or tail, comb them out gently while the coat is dry, and do not wet the coat first, because water sets the tangle.
The ponds on the Common are an invitation to dogs that love to swim. Pond water leaves a muddy, slightly smelly coat, and a retriever or Labrador with a thick undercoat can stay damp underneath for hours. Ask any groomer how they dry a double coat, and do not be tempted to skip the drying, because damp undercoat leads to skin trouble.
The Village and the streets around Wimbledon Hill Road are home to many Cockapoos, Labradoodles and Cavapoos, which all grow a coat that needs a full groom every five to eight weeks. Between visits, a comb run through to the skin twice a week is what stops the dreaded felted underarm patches.
Cannizaro Park is a gentler, more formal green space where small, longer-coated dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese take their walks. They tend to need face and feet tidies more often than a full clip, which makes quick nail and tidy-up visits a sensible habit.
Estimates, not quotes. Real prices depend on the groomer, the dog and the area.
Full Groom£55 to £120 per groom→Bath and Brush£40 to £75 per visit→De-Matting and Coat Restoration£60 to £140 per session→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 Wimbledon Common, Cannizaro Park and the residential streets of the Village, and repeat it every day for two weeks.
Nearby communities. Also in this guide.
Local resources. Learn more about Wimbledon.
How to read these pages
Specific advice. Honest limits.
From K9PN. Read the Disclaimer for specifics.
Good questions
Before you begin.
How often does a Cockapoo need a groom?
Most do well with a full groom every five to eight weeks, plus brushing at home.
How do I dry my dog after a pond swim?
Towel the worst off, then use a pet dryer on a low setting or let a groomer do it. Make sure the undercoat is dry.
Do burrs need a groomer?
Small ones can be teased out at home. Large clusters or mats close to the skin are best handled by a professional.