The Top Dog

i have been going to top dog for YEARS… because they are that good. started taking my dogs there years ago, now i take my CAT. my pets go in looking like backyard bums and come out show quality… every time. and they smell good too. all of the groomers are great, they are kind, caring and gentle. they listen to what i want done, and do it. they do an excellent job in a timely manner at a great price. a great value in todays economy. wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Very friendly staff! They know dogs by name and give them the best cuts. The location is great, right in Downtown Hayward.

If you want to be blamed for their mistakes come to Top Dog. I had my father take my dogs to their appt this saturday at 930am but then i get a call from my dad that i missed my appt. First off the lady was very rude to my father about the whole situation but anyways,
I had called on a Tuesday making an appt for Saturday, and when my father arrived they said my appt was last saturday and that i missed my appt. How does that make sense? They said they «called» on friday but that was a lie because i made my appt the following tuesday. I even put it in my iphone so i would not forget.
Pretty much i was being blamed for their mistake saying it was a mis communication. How is it mis communication when they input my appt on the wrong week !? (That already passed)
and the lady on the phone said «well we booked ur appt for nxt week, im not going to sit here and argue with you». I hung up before i cussed her out and i called back and spoke to the owner and she finally admits her wrong and is SORRY. But she cant take my dogs in because theyre overbooked.
Thankyou for apologizing owner but what the owner needs to do is to train her workers to be more respectful to their PAYING customers. Take responsibility for their actions and MAKE THE CUSTOMER HAPPY. Disrespect and sorry does not help customers come back. And last time i brought my dogs they were covered in fleas & i still was going to take them today but They fucked up so they just lost a paying customer.

Top Dog is our regular grooming spot for our Maltese. We call him out little old man even though he’s only 6 years. He’s bothered by the littlest things like walking on the grass and taking baths. When he 1^st started going to them he was fussy and biting a little. He has gotten used to Top Dog and has calmed down a lot thanks to the care give him by owner and staff. Thanks Top Dog!!!

I just left from our 3^rd appointment with top dog, I love everyone here, they’re all so friendly and upbeat! They’re very accommodating and not crazy expensive like other places. I know my dog is a handful: he dreads getting bathed, getting a haircut and getting his nails cut– but they always make it seem like no big deal. Other places have charged us extra for my dog being so difficult, so I’m extremely thankful to have found top dog!
I have two shitzus, Biggie and Elvis. Biggie we’ve had since he was a puppy, and Elvis we adopted later (we think he’s a shitzu/​poodle mix). I love that they actually put them in separate kennels when I ask, and let us know if they notice anything out of the ordinary — like a little bump on their skin. And of course, They do a great job with their haircuts! I never see any cuts on them afterwards like with other groomers we’ve used before; the boys always seem so happy when they’re finished.
Also, just a side note: I looooove that they put a little bandana on the boys when they’re finished, such a cute little touch!

We are new to the area, and so excited to find this place! I did not visit the shop, as my husband dropped off and picked up our pup Scout, but this place did a fabulous job! This was the best cut I have seen in YEARS and he came home happy and playful. Sometimes, my dog comes home a bit in a mood after cuts (silly shihtzu’s), but this was not an issue after his visit here.
We will be returning!

It has been a long while since I’ve gotten my little shih tzu groomed. So I was a bit nervous to see how it would turn out.
Top Dog did not disappoint! My baby Kingsley was groomed head to toe looking fresh! I appreciate their services!
Me and Kingsley will be back! :)
P.S don’t let the busy area fool you. It may look like a little shop, but they do big business by taking care of your dog.
I definitely recommend this place!

HI… I’ve been going to Top Dog /​Darcy for 11 years with my poodle mix dog named Gigi.
Top dog is very convenient for me to drop her off on a Saturday morning and pick her up 2−3hrs later. Gigi just loves it there, she’s always excited on our walks over there.
Top dog /​the staff has always treated me with respect and professionalism. They all do a great grooming job!

Very accommodating and have a great amount of love for doggies. My dog has long hair that gets matted easily. The groomers are always able to get the job done making him look good. At times it can get hectic but in the end they always get the job done. I’m always leaving satisfied.

UPDATE: So Mason was fine until a couple of days later. He had a problem with his eye, and could barely open it. He was miserable, we took him to the vet and they advised his cornea was scratched, and it was not done by him. I thought he may have contracted pink eye while at the groomer, but no. He had to get drops for several days to heal his infection. I’m sorry but we will NOT be back. Not happy.
So I checked out the reviews because we were previously going to Petsmart for a Shih Tzu Mason and our groomer moved away. Top Dog was recommended by a family member. I was very impressed. Mason looks soooo cute! The owner was very kind and we will be going back in a few weeks!!! Highly recommended.

Love the way they had cut Boba’s hair!!! I didn’t give 5 star because when one of the hair dressers was greeting my dog, of course Boba was scared in the beginning she dragged her by the leash and pulled her over closer to her, I was a little shocked and worried that Boba might not like the place, but it turned out all good, over all they did a great job with the style and of course boba smelled great! thank you so much! Will bring boba back fro hair cut again!

I’m pregnant and have about 4 weeks left but baby can come anytime. Need to take my babies for a groomed. Took my two Maltese mixed here to get groomed. Their cuts were nice but some places were a little choppy (paws face and chest) but I fixed it up at home. I know they don’t like their paws touched so it’s understandable but a little more time would’ve made then perfect. I was satisfied with their cut. –half star– for addressing me to the wrong place. Address sent me to the opposite side. –half star — I paid $ 60 for each dog which I thought it was a little pricey. Usually pay $ 45 each for about the same cut and still have to fix it a little at home at a different location. One of my dogs have a rash on her belly from the razor but it’s not too bad to complain about. I’d probably try them again because my dogs were there a shorter time then their original groomers; wish it was shorter but I wouldn’t want them coming out a complete disaster.
Overall, I am a satisfied customer. This place deserves 4 stars. Hopefully my next trip here will be consistent as the first. Will try again!

I am very happy with the service from Top Dog. I brought my toy Yorkie in for a full body groom and she cut him exactly the way I described. She kept the length just how I wanted it and cut his face in a true Yorkie fashion. Very happy with the service and I’ll definitely come back.

So my groomer in Fremont was busy and I was super desperate as my 3 dogs got sparyed by a skunk!!! OMG the smells is unbearable and gets everywhere and into everything. I called and the owner took my dogs said sure come on in no fuss no questions! Shes been in business for over 30 years and explained everything to me and left my dogs smelling normal again. All with a smile and jokes (as I also smelled like skunk!) My sister recommended this place and she was so right! They even walked out cute with a neck tie and complimentary leashes as mine got ruined by the skunk spray. Top dog made a tough day easier!

I took my dog f or a regular grooming session. My dog was rowdy according to the boss lady.
Overall she was basically lecturing me and complaining.
That’s fine I understand but if I wanted to be lectured I would call my mom.
Other than that I took my dog to a different groomer and no complains.
Won’t be going back to this groomer.

Absolutely love this place! All the staff here are amazing and friendly. Brought my poodle here and Jazzy totally made him look dapper. Loved the way he looked. I have brought him to multiple places in San Francisco nothing has compared to the quality top dog has provided. Thank you all. Definitely will come back.

Note: after reading this review, check out the reviews that are «not currently recommended» by Unilocal (sometimes honest reviews get filtered out for new users). Looks like others have had a similar experience. Ok, now for my review:
Think «Cruella Deville» from 101 Dalmatians. Your precious pups are only a dollar sign to this lady. If you care about your dogs, even petco is a better place.
I went to this lady only because my mother goes here with their dog (come to think of it, I’ve never seen their Lhasa apso look good — it’s just that petco won’t see her anymore because the dog got aggressive).
Anyway, I scheduled a week early, showed up on time with my two maltipoos. And the first thing the lady says is that we have to shave them. I told her yes, one has knots (only on the top of her head), the other does not. She made up something about an undercoat and needing to shave them and see them every month to maintain them. fine «dog expert»… I’ll sign your paper saying you «might» cut my dog in the process. Which she surely did. In places that didn’t have much hair to begin with (dog’s private areas, ears and face came back with deep gouges and blood clots). You could tell someone was just trying to shave the dogs as quickly as possible… I’ve cut my dogs hair in worse state with home shears and scissors and they’ve come out fine.
I get a call a couple of hours after dropping them off saying «it’s taking too long, we’ll have to charge you more.» $ 140 to shave the dogs? I’ll pick them up and do it myself. «Oh we’ve already done it…» Ok, you’d like to raise the price on me based on something you’ve already done without telling me? «Oh ok, we’ll let it go this time».
I get a call to pickup the dogs and show up 40 minutes later. When I showed up, my dogs were whimpering and howling in the back. These are very friendly dogs who have never experienced pain in their life — and they love people, even strangers. A lady in line asked if it was her dog whimpering, to which the owner responded «oh, those are two poodles that have been here too long»… I don’t think she realized I was there to pickup my dogs. And yes. They were there too long the minute we entered.
The dogs came out FULLY shaved. Very quiet and sad (they’ve been this way for days now). Their faces (which had no knots, and which I told her to maintain) were fully shaved and completely unrecognizeable. Cuts and nicks all over their body. I think she just became really careless and didn’t want to spend the time grooming the dogs (to which I ask, why are you in this business?).
Cancel the «monthly» appointment that you forcefully set me up for. You are never allowed near my dogs (and hopefully others dogs, once they read this)… Unnecessarily shaving my dogs because you hate your job and don’t want to spend the time doing it is one thing, hurting these poor helpless animals was another. I regret, very much, the fact that I left them there to go through everything you must have put them through. With one less customer, hopefully you’ll have more time to better treat the dogs that do come in. I’m sure you do a great job when you want to get a positive Unilocal review out of it, or when you’re able to rip people off by telling them to come on every month for a haircut. but my experience was definitely not what’s described here by others. You got $ 120 bucks from me for doing something I could have done at home myself, without injuring my dogs. Big mistake on my part, lesson learned.

I used to take my bichon/​poodle mix here about 4 – 5 years ago & was so sad when I moved to San Francisco because I had to go through the process of finding a new groomer [that I liked] all over again. Last year, I moved back to the East Bay & was SO HAPPY that I could once again take Chester to Top Dog for his grooming needs.
Top Dog is reasonably priced & the groomers do a great job. In the past 8 – 9 months, Chester’s groomer has been a young girl, maybe end-​of-​high school or beginning-​of-​college age. She is incredibly sweet, very patient & seems like she really takes care of my little guy.
I’ve been late to pick him up before due to traffic, but when I arrive, she is still there & not frustrated/​irritated one bit.
I’ve seen the owner a few times [more in the past than now] & I guess she could SEEM a little rough around the edges — but I think she’s just a really busy woman, not rude or anything. I think people forget — myself included sometimes — that Top Dog is a groomers, not a day care service. I guess I would be a little irritated sometimes as well.
Anyways. Overall, I’m so incredibly grateful for Top Dog & its staff. Really hoping the young girl sticks around for a long time!

Sadly — this place disappointed and I will not be returning.
I have taken my shih tzu here a few times and for the most part had a positive experience. However, when I picked him up this time around, they cut his nails way to short where he was bleeding and the clipper guard slipped and caused a bald line on his back. What they should have done, is told me about his nails and maybe offer me a discount for the careless job that they did.
I have taken my little guy groomed several groomers and never had this happen before. I will not be coming here again, nor would I recommended this place.
The whole reason why I do not cut my dog’s nails is because for that exact reason, I don’t want him in pain. I trusted professionals and this was what I got, bleeding nails and a bald spot for $ 50. If they were honest with me from the get go, I would have appreciated it. Please see the attached pics for reference.

Four year later we’re still driving our poodle girls across the Bay Bridge to Hayward every 8 weeks to Top Dog. This is by far one of the best poodle groomers. They do an amazing job with the Miami cut (balls on feet). It’s relatively easy to get an appointment, especially during the week. I like that it’s a no nonsense groomer — no store, no massages, no food, no unrelated crap that other groomers try to cross sell you. Parking is super easy and dogs are in and out. Very competitively priced because of it’s no frills location. Great groomers, great cuts!