Central Bark Grooming & Dog Wash

Grooming Services

Why Your Dog Needs Professional Grooming

If you’ve never treated your dog to a complete round of grooming, you and your pet might be missing something. Grooming isn’t just for show dogs or pampered lap-sitters: trips to the groomer are an important part of keeping your dog healthy and happy. Read on to learn why.

The Family Wolf

One look at your dog might be enough to convince anyone that he’s not cut out for the wild. But all dogs are descended, however windingly, from wolves—and despite millennia of breeding, their bodies still work essentially the way wolves’ bodies do.

Wolves count on the normal conditions of life in the wild to keep their systems in order. The wear and tear of running along rocks and forest floors keeps their nails from ever growing too long. A simple diet featuring plenty of bones keeps their teeth clean.  Exposure to wind and rain naturally helps them shed unneeded fur, which helps keep their skin healthy.

Most domestic dogs have few or none of those rough-and-tumble advantages, even though their bodies are still built to depend on them. It’s a trade-off that some dog owners overlook. A regular grooming regimen, including at least an occasional trip to a professional groomer, can make up for what your dog is missing.  

Your Early Warning System

Another thing about wolves: they don’t go to the vet. Survival of the fittest might be the natural way of things for your dog’s wild cousins, but it’s not part of the deal for pet owners. Since your dog can’t complain to you when she has a persistent itch here or a painful paw there, you might be missing the early signs of a condition that could turn serious over time. 

For example, your dog’s ears might look perfectly normal. They might even feel normal, if your dog enjoys a nice ear scratch every once in a while, and you might wipe them out when she’s been outside for a while. But the organisms that can cause your dog the most harm are good at staying out of the way. And over time, they can cause problems not just for a dog’s hearing but for its more essential functions, like its respiration.

The same is true of a dog’s coat, paws, nails, and teeth. Professional dog groomers know what to look for, where to look for it, and how to solve little problems before they become major ones.

If you’re not in the habit of taking your dog to a professional groomer, think of it as a big round of spring cleaning. Not something you’d do every weekend, but a way to re-set a healthy baseline and make each weekend’s work a little easier. Some of us enjoy brushing our dogs’ coats and teeth and trimming their nails. Some dogs get enough outdoor time that they naturally stay in pretty good trim. No matter how much attention your dog gets, from you and from nature, professional grooming can be an important part of the mix.

Some of our Google Reviews

Central Bark Grooming & Dog Wash
4.4
Based on 111 reviews
powered by Google
Zoe Cross-Karras
Zoe Cross-Karras
01:58 27 Feb 22
You can tell that Guy and his wife really care about these dogs and their needs. I had a wonderful experience this... afternoon! Guy spent the time required to get all the mats from my dogs hair and did so thoughtfully, humanely and delicately! My dog looks amazing and we will definitely be back. Happy to have found a grooming home! Thank you so much Central Bark.read more
Havi J
Havi J
14:12 28 Nov 21
Ellie loves getting groomed at Central Bark. Look how pretty she looks. She's so soft! Guy and Alex are incredibly... friendly and the newer groomers are nice as well.read more
Helena Franchino
Helena Franchino
20:27 23 Nov 21
Truly the best groomer we've been to. Not only one of the best haircuts our dog has received, but the price was super... reasonable and the staff was fantastic. Highly recommendread more
Marty Ruffner
Marty Ruffner
23:24 24 Oct 21
Took our Aussie to Central Bark on October 20. This was our first visit. Didn’t have the full service, just a... shampoo, deshedding comb out, ears cleaned, etc. On pick up she looked amazing! We have her groomed on a fairly regular basis. This was the best service and look we’ve had in Montana.The salon is spotless, the staff is very professional and friendly and our Aussie was very happy! This will definitely be our new groomer! Thank you Central Bark!!read more
lisa tate
lisa tate
03:07 09 Oct 21
I was impressed on my first visit today. I took my St. Bernard in for a bath and groom. The staff were very... professional, knowledgeable, and the customer service was outstanding. I will be back!read more
Marie-Claude Thellend
Marie-Claude Thellend
19:57 16 Sep 21
We used the self-serve dog wash. It’s just genius! Guy the Pet Stylist was very friendly and super helpful. This is a... beautiful grooming salon staffed by experienced and caring groomers. Will definitely return.read more
Chris Langel
Chris Langel
03:22 13 Sep 21
Things have changed. Groomers don’t stay very long. Owners are rude. The last time my dog was in for grooming she ended... up with trachea problems and coughing. They insisted nothing happened, but I had a big veterinarian bill, meds and vitamins. Not going back.read more
D Morrison
D Morrison
10:08 14 Aug 21
Absolutely wonderful!! I am thrilled with the opening of Central Bark. Not only because I finally have a groomer close... by my residence, but the owners possess a wealth of knowledge.I’ve witnessed kindness, respect, and genuine care given to all who walk in their doors, whether they have paws or feet.Their willingness to share information and learn all they can about a pet is inspiring. This level of individualized respect 😀and communication, with regards to a product/ service or staff support, Is almost extinct.My mother took her two little chihuahuas and was full of praise at how genuinely nice the staff is and therefore referred me.By the time I brought my “antique” Golden Doodle in for a nail trim, I heard many more great reviews about Central Bark from random community, Pet parents.read more
audra bert
audra bert
19:15 13 Jul 21
Love love love this new addition to pet grooming in Missoula! Not only is the place spotless, spacious, well scheduled... and staffed but the owners really know their stuff about pups. Guy seems to know every pup cut out there and the attention and care given to pets is phenomenal! The only place I’ll groom our two furry family members going forward. Thanks Central Bark!!read more
Jami Campbell
Jami Campbell
15:09 19 Jun 21
Absolutely wonderful experience! Alex and Guy were so kind, and Alex was great at communicating details on how to keep... our schnauzer looking great between grooms. Its not easy to trust strangers with your pet, but they won me over quickly. Our dog seemed to feel the same! Thank you so much! We wont be trusting anyone else with our dog-this place is fantastic.read more
Kathleen Bartel
Kathleen Bartel
22:31 15 May 21
Guy is an absolute pleasure and he truly cares about your dog as well as making sure you are happy. He has been... grooming Cody, my American Eskimo Dog for years. I am so pleased he has a new shop in Missoula now. It is conveniently located and beautiful and they keep it so clean. You have to check out the self wash; it is the best I have ever seen. I can’t say enough about the professionalism and care you will experience using their shop.Kay Bartelread more
Inay Todd
Inay Todd
00:39 25 Apr 21
I have three standard poodles that Alex has been grooming for a number of years. In addition to making my dogs... gorgeous, he is wonderful with the dogs and they love him. This is no small feat; poodles take a fair amount of effort to groom correctly and he spends the time to do it right. I have never had a clipper burn or nail cut into the quick. One of my dogs is 13y and Alex is patient and gentle with him. Alex always asks how I want the dogs cut and then does as I ask. Everyone at Central Bark is friendly and helpful. The shop is super clean and smells good. Very professional. Excellent service!read more
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Contact us

To book or make changes to a scheduled appointment, please give us a call.

Mon. - Sat. (excluding Wed.): 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday & Wednesday - Call Us!

2438 W Central Ave Missoula, Montana 59801

info@centralbarkmt.com

(406) 493-1966