Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Where over twenty-five years of veterinary knowledge meets the art of dog grooming, one careful coat at a time.
When you bring your dog to Barber's, you are not just booking a groom. You are placing your companion in the hands of someone who has spent a career understanding animal health, behaviour, and comfort. That difference shows in every clip, every wash, every calm, happy dog that walks back through the door.
Our Story
The journey began in the treatment rooms of busy Welsh veterinary practices. Working as a qualified vet nurse, she saw first-hand how proper grooming was not merely cosmetic but fundamental to a dog's health and happiness. Matted coats hiding skin conditions. Overgrown nails causing pain. Ear infections left unnoticed.
That clinical eye never left. When Barber's Dog Grooming opened its doors in Tenby, it was built on a simple principle: every groom should be a health check too. Every visit should leave your dog not just looking wonderful but genuinely better cared for.
Over the years, hundreds of Pembrokeshire families have trusted their dogs to Barber's. From anxious rescues having their first professional groom to elderly dogs needing extra patience and gentle handling. No dog is rushed. No dog is stressed. That is the promise.
What We Offer
Each service begins with a thorough assessment of your dog's coat, skin, and overall condition. With a vet nurse's eye, nothing is overlooked.
The complete experience. Your dog receives a full bath with breed-appropriate shampoo, thorough blow-dry, full coat clip or hand-strip to breed standard, nail trim, ear clean, and a final finish that will have them turning heads on the Tenby seafront.
More than a haircut. Every full groom at Barber's includes a health assessment drawn from years of veterinary experience. We check for lumps, skin irritations, ear health, dental condition, and coat quality. If we spot anything concerning, we will let you know so you can follow up with your vet.
Perfect for dogs who do not need a full clip but deserve a proper wash. A deep clean bath with conditioning treatment, blow-dry, face and feet tidy, nail trim, ear clean, and sanitary trim. Ideal between full grooms or for shorter-coated breeds.
Not every visit needs to be a full transformation. The bath and tidy is designed for regular maintenance. It keeps your dog comfortable, clean, and happy between their full grooming appointments. We use gentle, pH-balanced products suitable for sensitive skin, and every dog gets the same unhurried, calm treatment regardless of the service booked.
Many of our regular clients alternate between full grooms and bath-and-tidy appointments every four to six weeks, keeping their dog in peak condition year-round. Especially useful through the wet Pembrokeshire winters when muddy walks are unavoidable.
A specialist technique for wire-coated breeds. Hand stripping removes dead coat by hand rather than clipping, preserving the natural texture and colour of the coat. Essential for breeds like terriers, schnauzers, and spaniels shown to breed standard.
Clipping a wire-coated breed changes the texture permanently, leaving the coat soft and prone to matting. Hand stripping is the traditional method that maintains the coat's natural harsh texture, vibrant colour, and weather resistance. It is a skill that takes years to develop, and it is becoming increasingly rare to find.
With over two decades of experience, hand stripping is one of Barber's specialities. Whether your terrier is a family pet or a show dog, we can maintain their coat in beautiful condition through regular stripping sessions.
A gentle introduction to the grooming experience for puppies from 12 weeks old. We take it slowly, building positive associations with the sights, sounds, and sensations of the grooming salon. A calm, patient, and thoroughly positive first experience sets the foundation for a lifetime of stress-free grooming.
The first grooming experience shapes how your dog feels about grooming for life. A frightened puppy becomes an anxious adult dog, and that makes every future groom harder for everyone: the dog, the groomer, and you. That is why the puppy introduction is perhaps the most important appointment we offer.
With a vet nurse's understanding of animal behaviour, we read your puppy's body language and work at their pace. There is no forcing, no restraint beyond what is necessary for safety. Most puppies leave their first session having discovered that the grooming salon is actually rather a nice place to be.
Older dogs often need extra consideration. Stiff joints, thinner skin, reduced hearing or sight, and sometimes cognitive changes mean they need a groomer who understands. With veterinary nursing experience, we adapt our approach for every senior dog, ensuring comfort and dignity throughout.
A senior dog deserves the same care and attention as any other, perhaps more so. We take extra time with older dogs, allowing rest breaks if needed, using lower dryer settings, and being mindful of arthritic joints when positioning them on the table.
For many older dogs, the grooming appointment becomes an important welfare visit. We often notice changes in lumps, skin condition, or mobility that owners might not spot at home. Your vet nurse groomer will always keep you informed so your dog gets the care they need in their golden years.
Investment
Our prices reflect the time, skill, and genuine care that goes into every appointment. Each groom is one-to-one with your dog receiving our undivided attention throughout. No cages, no waiting around, no assembly-line grooming.
Prices vary depending on breed, size, coat condition, and the specific service required. We are always happy to provide an accurate quote when you book.
Get a Quote on Facebook| Service | Details | From |
|---|---|---|
| Full Groom -- Small | Shih Tzu, Yorkie, Bichon | 35 |
| Full Groom -- Medium | Cocker Spaniel, Schnauzer | 42 |
| Full Groom -- Large | Golden Retriever, Labradoodle | 50 |
| Full Groom -- XL | Newfoundland, St Bernard | 60 |
| Bath and Tidy | All sizes, maintenance wash | 25 |
| Hand Stripping | Wire-coat breeds, by quote | 45 |
| Puppy Introduction | From 12 weeks, gentle intro | 18 |
| Nail Trim Only | Quick visit, no appointment | 8 |
All prices are guides and may vary based on coat condition, matting, and temperament. Heavily matted coats may incur an additional charge. Regular grooming every 6-8 weeks helps keep costs down and your dog comfortable. Prices shown in GBP.
Our Approach
Step One
Your dog arrives and has a few minutes to settle in, sniff around, and get comfortable. We discuss what you would like and assess the coat condition together. No rushing, no straight onto the table. We let your dog come to us.
Step Two
Before any grooming begins, we do a nose-to-tail check. Eyes, ears, teeth, skin, lumps, coat condition, nail length, pad health. This is where the veterinary nursing background truly matters. We know what to look for and we know what to tell you.
Step Three
Working calmly and methodically, we bathe, dry, clip, or hand-strip as needed. Professional-grade equipment is used throughout. If your dog shows signs of stress, we pause and reassure. There is no clock ticking. Quality takes the time it takes.
Step Four
Nails trimmed, ears cleaned, sanitary areas tidied, and a final brush-through to ensure everything is perfect. A spritz of dog-safe cologne if you like, and your dog is ready to strut back out looking and feeling their very best.
Step Five
We will talk you through what we did, flag anything we noticed, and recommend when to book the next appointment. Any home-care advice specific to your dog's coat type is shared freely. We want your dog to look great between visits too.
Breed Expertise
From the silky coat of a Yorkshire Terrier to the dense double-coat of a Bernese Mountain Dog, every breed has its own grooming needs. With over 25 years of experience, we have worked with virtually every breed you can think of, and quite a few wonderful crossbreeds too.
Here in Pembrokeshire, we see a wonderful variety of dogs. Working breeds from the farms, family pets from the towns, and holidaymakers' dogs visiting Tenby for a seaside break. Every single one gets the same level of care and expertise.
From Our Groomer
Tip One
Even five minutes of brushing a few times a week prevents matting and keeps the coat healthy. Use a slicker brush for curly coats and a bristle brush for smooth coats.
Tip Two
Especially floppy-eared breeds. Look for redness, odour, or discharge. Keeping ears clean between grooms helps prevent infections, particularly after swimming at Tenby's beaches.
Tip Three
Huskies, Retrievers, and similar breeds should never be shaved. Their double coat insulates them from both heat and cold. We can de-shed and thin the undercoat instead.
Tip Four
Regular grooming prevents costly de-matting work, keeps your dog comfortable, and allows us to monitor their health consistently. Prevention is always better than cure.
Matted fur pulls on the skin constantly, like wearing a tight ponytail that never comes out. Severe matting can restrict blood flow, hide wounds, and harbour parasites. Regular brushing and professional grooming prevents this entirely.
Overgrown nails force dogs to shift their weight backwards, causing strain on joints and muscles. Over time this can contribute to arthritis and mobility problems. Regular trims keep your dog walking comfortably and naturally.
Professional groomers often find lumps, skin conditions, ear infections, and dental issues before owners notice them at home. With a vet nurse behind the grooming table at Barber's, this health-check element is even more thorough than most salons can offer.
Living in Pembrokeshire means wet walks are a way of life. Damp coats that are not properly dried and maintained are breeding grounds for skin infections and hot spots. A regular grooming schedule is especially important for dogs in our beautiful but rainy corner of Wales.
Our nervous rescue collie was terrified of being groomed. After her first visit to Barber's she walked out wagging her tail. The patience and gentleness shown was remarkable. We would never go anywhere else now.
I have been bringing my two Westies here for years. The hand stripping is superb, their coats always look fantastic. And the vet nurse background gives such peace of mind. She spotted a lump on Daisy that turned out to need attention. So grateful.
The Difference
Not just a groomer. A qualified veterinary nurse who understands animal health, behaviour, and anatomy. Every groom is also a health check from someone who knows what they are looking at.
Over 25 years of professional experience with thousands of dogs. There is no breed, no coat type, and no temperament we have not worked with. Your dog is in expert hands.
Your dog receives our complete, undivided attention. No cages, no waiting, no other dogs creating stress. Just calm, focused, one-to-one grooming in a relaxed environment.
Proudly serving the Tenby community and surrounding areas of Pembrokeshire. Local, trusted, and known by name. Not a franchise, not a chain. A genuine independent groomer who cares about your dog as much as you do.
Get in Touch
We would love to welcome your dog to Barber's. Whether it is a first-time puppy groom, regular maintenance, or a specialist hand strip, get in touch and we will find a time that works for you. The best way to reach us is through our Facebook page.
Appointments are by booking only. We do not operate a walk-in service as each dog receives our full, undivided attention. Please message us on Facebook to arrange your dog's appointment. We typically respond within a few hours.