The grooming process and allocated appointment time will depend on your dog’s hair length, condition, and behaviour. Still, we would like to complete your pet’s grooming needs within the appointment time frame of one and a half and two and a half hours, depending on size and condition. We will let you know when the treatment is complete so you can collect your dog on time.

Taking your dog out for a walk before your appointment is important. Doing so will help release energy and allow your pet to go to the toilet before grooming begins. A good walk will give your dog a calmer, more comfortable, enjoyable grooming experience.

We recommend a lighter meal [at least 2 hours before an appointment]. Remember that if your pet is nervous, it might do better on an empty stomach.

If you are registering your pet for the first time, please arrive on time to complete your customer record card so we can check your pet’s health and condition and recap on style requirements.

We recommend that you bring your dog with a minimum of restraints and accessories so we can quickly prepare your pet for collection. For safety reasons, we usually return your pet to the rest cage ready for pick up wearing its collar/harness and lead. If your pet chews or damages any restraints or accessories while waiting for pick up, Furst Class Lounge cannot be held responsible for the damage or replacement cost. If your dog will likely chew its restraints while in a rest cage, please clarify this when checking your pet at reception. Thank you.

Yes, especially when outside in the car park area. We recommend that you bring your pet for grooming with minimum restraints. Please take away extra accessories such as treat bags, poo bag holders and car seat restraints with you when checking your dog in at reception. We usually return your pet to the rest cage ready for pick up wearing their collar/harness and lead for safety reasons. If your pet chews or damages any restraints or accessories while waiting for pick up, Furst Class Lounge cannot be held responsible for the damage or replacement cost. If your dog will likely chew their restraints while in a rest cage, please clarify this when checking your pet at reception. Thank you.

Terms and Conditions of Service >

If your dog is in heat, we can still provide grooming services, but we would like to ask you to please let us know in advance. Contacting us first will allow us to adjust the appointment time if necessary. If an intact male dog is also scheduled for grooming, we should accommodate the male dog first. The scent of a female dog in heat can make the grooming process for the male dog and their groomer more difficult. If she is bleeding heavily and is not her usual self, it may be better to reschedule her appointment, giving at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid a cancellation fee.

Fortunately, Furst Class Lounge has a client list who rarely miss appointments; however, if you forget and miss your pet’s appointment without providing us with at least 24 hours notice, a fee of £15.00 will apply for each dog that did not attend. Our diploma-qualified groomer has scheduled up to two and a half hours for your dog’s grooming session. We have a standby list for those waiting for appointments, but they may be unable to attend at such short notice. The groomer may miss out on earning an income for that period, and £15 is a small compensation, but it helps. We appreciate your understanding.

We appreciate that life doesn’t always go to plan; however, if you cancel your pet’s appointment without providing us with at least 24 hours’ notice, a fee of £15.00 will apply for each dog that did not attend. As with missed appointments, our diploma-qualified groomer has scheduled up to two and a half hours for your dog’s grooming session. We have a standby list for those waiting for appointments, but they may be unable to attend at such short notice. The groomer may miss out on earning an income for that period, and £15 is a small compensation, but it helps. We appreciate your understanding.

Having your puppy groomed as soon as possible is essential so they can get used to and learn to love the grooming experience. We recommend they come in two weeks after their last vaccination and before they are sixteen weeks old. We won’t be able to clip your puppy on their first visit to the salon because the development from a puppy to an adult coat depends on breed, and a grooming schedule will be suggested to suit your puppy. During their first visit, your puppy will be introduced in a relaxed and fun way to the sights, sounds and smells of the grooming salon, ensuring that future visits are stress-free and enjoyable.

Puppy Introductions >

If this is your first visit to FCL, we can offer you guidance on the most effective methods for maintaining your dog’s coat and skin in the best possible condition, help you choose the most appropriate styling options, provide you with an accurate grooming cost estimate, and evaluate your dog’s health and temperament before scheduling your initial appointment.

Our free 10-minute consultation lets us plan and provide your pet with specialised care, time, and attention. If your dog only needs minor styling and grooming, we can schedule it at the same time as your appointment.

Brushes, combs, and grooming products have undergone significant advancements in recent years. We stock everything you need to make home grooming simple by helping you select the perfect brushes and tools for your individual dog’s coat type. Visit us at the salon shop, where professional diploma-qualified groomers will be happy to assist you in making informed choices and avoiding unnecessary expenses on tools you don’t need.

Brushes and Tools for Effective Home Grooming >

Please call us for advice when you notice tangles forming into mats in the coat that you cannot brush out. Never wait until the condition becomes uncomfortable or painful for your pet. If you are not brushing regularly, your dog may need an interim groom between full grooming appointments, which should be planned every six to eight weeks.

Everything You Need to Know About a Matted Coat >

Yes, we can; however, at present, due to the high demand for our grooming services, we cannot accommodate large to Giant Breeds such as Malamutes, Huskies, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Irish Wolfhounds, Pyrenees, Giant Schnauzers, and Leonbergers. These breeds require more than one groomer to attend to their needs, and we currently cannot offer this service due to our full schedule and groomer availability. We do not offer grooming services to dogs that must be muzzled in public.

We’re sorry, but we don’t offer cat grooming services.

Pricing is based on breed, hair length, your dog’s coat and skin condition, temperament, age, and grooming history. The price is likely to increase for pets not frequently maintained in reasonable condition at home and those not receiving regular professional grooming.

Price Guide >

We would like to ask that you arrive on time for your appointment and pick up your pet when you know your dog is ready for pickup.

Unless otherwise specified with agreed notice, a £10 fee per hour for the care and supervision of your dog or dogs will be added to the final price once one hour has passed following notification of completion or the scheduled pickup time. The charge is to discourage leaving dogs with us for extended periods, which may cause stress and anxiety. During busy periods, we also need accommodation for our next scheduled appointment.

We do offer a hand-stripping service for wire-haired breeds. However, we cannot provide this service for silky gundogs, large or giant breeds such as Airedale and Irish Wolfhound, due to time restraints.

Hand-Stripping: Everything You Need to Know >

All price guides are based on dogs regularly groomed by FCL [six to eight weeks], have good temperaments, and are well-maintained at home. Since no two dogs have precisely the same coat condition and require different levels of home upkeep and grooming between appointments, the final cost will be determined individually.

Our prices are periodically reviewed and may increase without prior notice when necessary. Factors that can lead to increased prices include rising costs of grooming supplies, equipment maintenance, and staff wages. However, our fees remain highly competitive for the level of service provided. Additional fees will apply if your dog requires dematting, a flea treatment and flea containment,  a soiling charge if your pet needs re-bathing, is left in our care for an extended period without prior arrangements, or if you have a previously missed or cancelled appointment fee.

Services at Extra Cost >

Yes. Our specially designed hygienic time-out crates are a safe place for your pet to rest when not being groomed and comfort those who are nervous. We have an observation routine; however, you should return to collect your pet within 30 minutes of being informed that it is ready for collection.

For safety reasons, we usually return your pet to the rest cage ready for pick up wearing its collar/harness and lead. If your pet chews or damages any restraints or accessories while waiting for pick up, Furst Class Lounge cannot be held responsible for the damage or replacement cost. If your dog will likely chew its restraints while in a rest cage, please clarify this when checking your pet at reception. Thank you.

No, we do not have drying cabinets. Our experienced stylists finish grooming each dog by hand because it is safer and better for their well-being. Although this might increase the appointment time, we maintain our high standards by using safe grooming practices.

No. Most double-coated breeds were originally working dogs, particularly herding dogs in cold and wet climates. This does include the Pomeranian.

The first layer of the double coat, a short, soft, down-like undercoat, is a natural insulating layer. It regulates the dog’s temperature, ensuring its comfort in all seasons. The second layer, composed of longer guard hairs, provides a protective barrier against water and dirt. This natural design is why clipping a double coat is not recommended or carried out by professional grooming salons.

Clipping a double coat may not help cool the dog but can disrupt its natural body temperature regulation. Moreover, it exposes sensitive skin to harmful UV rays, potentially irritating skin, and will grow back, unlike the original coat, which will be fluffy and more challenging to manage. These risks underline the importance of not clipping a double coat.

The coat should, however, be regularly brushed and routinely groomed by a professional groomer every six to eight weeks to maintain it in a healthy condition. The hygiene areas, feet, and feathering can be scissored shorter for a tidy appearance.

What dog breeds are double-coated?

Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Bearded Collie, Bernese Mountain Dog, Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Leonberger, Old English Sheepdog, Pomeranian, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Rough Collie, Saint Bernard, Shiba Inu, Siberian Husky, Spitz, Swedish Lapphund, Tibetan Mastiff

If you are already a registered FCL customer, we want to ensure that your pet’s nails are always in good shape and comfortable. In case their nails require cutting, all you need to do is give us a call first and ask us to clip them, which will be free of charge. For those not registered with us as a grooming client, we are happy to trim your dogs’ nails for a fee of £8.00. Your dog should be gradually introduced to nail clipping to ensure their comfort. Please get in touch with us if you are unsure about the best way to do this.

Nail Cutting Service >

To ensure your dog settles in our care, you should drop your pet off at the appointed time and return when the appointment is completed. We are delighted to take our customers on a salon tour so they can see where their dogs will receive treatment.

Yes, we do carry Natural Instinct frozen raw food for dogs.