Russian Hill Dog Grooming
Category: Pet Groomers [Edit]
Neighborhood: Russian Hill1929 Hyde Street
(between Delgado Pl & Green St)
San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 776-9529
24 Reviews for Russian Hill Dog Grooming
I was recommended to Russian HIll Pet Grooming by a friend so I decided to schedule an appointment. I called them up and the guy was an UTTER ASS. I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity his tone and his interrogation about my pet ownership skills.
I canceled my appointment based on the second half of our phone conversation. This dude needs to read a few self-help communication books and meditate.
DO NOT subject your dog to this 'place'. My dog was terrified to go back. I've never seen anything like it. I feel terrible that I put her through this twice. They are awful. I am having my doubts that the owner even likes dog.
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the abosolute BEST!!! Leonard is amazing! I have been to every groomer in SF and, by far, Russian Hill exceeds beyond compare! I will let my dog get filthy before I take her anywhere else! Well worth every single cent!
The owner is NOT snobby at all. He is so accomodating to the point he still takes me even tho I've flaked twice....
Cost? I've paid over $100 every shop I've gone to. They all succeeded in giving my collie a mediocre wash/cut at best. I find the prices to be extremely fair and would happily pay more given the way my collie looks upon my having her picked up!
I will never leave Russian Hill and recommend them without hesitation.
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They do a pretty decent job although they seem rushed. So the cut on my poodles, while better than other places was very square on the back and both dogs had razor burn on the face.
The price was somewhat high. I will not go back unless my groomer (who recommended the place to me) cannot accomodate me. Or I might take them to Groom where they cut the dogs with less of a rush, but the actual quality of the cut needs improvement. I do not know...
Me and my dog love Russian Hill Dog Grooming! Nesta has never looked better and felt so good after getting groomed. Before finding Russian Hill we tried tons of places all over the city and none even came close in comparasion with the quality of cuts he gets at Russian Hill. Leonard is great and very professional. He always gets you in very quickly, no waiting 4 weeks till your appt. He suggested shaving Nesta (a long haired golden/chow mix) one of the first times we went there and I love the short shave (so does Nesta)!!! I think Leonard has a good eye for best cuts for dogs. Nesta walks right in happily and comes out even happier. I would definitely recommend Russian Hill to my friends~ they do an outstanding job. And they even have a 10 minute parking zone right out front- very convenient.
I hesitate to even give one star. I don't write reviews, but our experience with this groomer was bad that I'm compelled to write in the hope that this review will prevent needless harm to other dogs.
We took our dog here once, about a year ago, and the memory is still so vivid it makes my skin crawl.
Leonard, who some here claim is the best, is definitely not. The cut was fine, nothing spectacular, but what you'd generally expect from a groomer. What made this so bad was the clipping of the nails. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out if you cut to far back on the nail, you'll cut the quick and the nail will bleed. Well, it seems Leonard and his team are immune to the cries, yelps and struggling of a dog as each nail is cut in half, well beyond what is necessary. Every single nail on my dog's four paws was cut incredibly short. So short that the end of each nail was red with blood...a huge round dot of red flesh with just a bit of nail around the edge. I could hardly look at it...and she was so sensitive with her paws for days.
Fast forward to a year later and our dog goes into hysterics when it's time to clip her nails. Her emotional scars will likely last her entire lifetime.
Despite my rage, I never called Leonard about this. In life, you pick your battles and you pick how best to fight them. To me, the best way to fight this battle is to post this review and to provide ample warning when the subject comes up with dog owners.
Bottom line: DO NOT GO TO THIS GROOMER.
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Two stars for a perfectly clean poodle (clean ears, clean hair)- sufficient to satisfy a germaphobe (me) - the major purpose of grooming is cleanliness right.
Third star for a super clean shop - a clean dog is no good if it is sitting around in a dirty place all day.
Fourth star for professionalism - I'm talking tables that underlight the dog so that the scissor work is perfect! GOOD STUFF!
Fifth star for style - my girl is a champion so she deserves a haircut worthy of her status - Leonard delivers.
Seriously, I cut my own dog's hair for the show ring (and she still won) so I think I have a leg to stand on here. During my last visit, I mentioned that my budget was tight, to Leonard asked if a groomer who is learning show cuts could work on her. That way he stayed in my budget and I still got the more difficult cut that I like - no snobbiness involved.
Finally, my dog is happy to go, she does not like to be taken from me (she's a bit of a snoot with strangers), but seems happy and comfortable to be carried off by Leonard.
I wish I could give more stars!!! My dog Elvis will not let me walk by there without trying to get in. His tail starts wagging a few blocks before we get there!!!! As for those people who say that it is more expensive than getting my/their own haircut, it should cost more. Every time my dog is in there, they give him a bath, a manicure, a pedicure and a full body massage! I would pay more for that if thats what happened to me each time I got my hair cut. I will never take my dogs anywhere else then here and highly recommend Leonard and his employees to anyone who really cares about the best care for their pets.
This shop rates five stars by me (and my dog Chester.) Chester and I live in the neighborhood, and everytime I walk by that shop - be it day or night, when the shop is closed, Chester tries to get in. He just loves the people there. I have to drop the leash, open the door, let him greet everyone - especially Cindy and Leonard - and then let him into the back area so that he can see who is getting a bath. The people who work there all know Chester and think he is a riot. They lift him up to the grooming tables so he can greet the other dogs. Chester always looks great when he is groomed, too. I can't see why folks think Leonard is snobby - he and I chat each a.m. while Chester explores the shop . And Patricia, Leonard's wife - couldn't be nicer.
Hey...they can be totally be snotty...but my pup looks like Paris Hilton when she comes home....without the sex video, the jail time and the wandering eye, of course.
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While their prices are high, the quality of their cuts is amazing. Marlowe looked great when we picked her up.
Unfortunately on our second or third visit the owner was a complete snot when I asked about any skin treatments they could provide that would ease Marlowe's itchy skin. He was adamant it was something in her diet that was aggravating her skin and even suggested we were feeding her our food. Turns out, she really just needed more Omega-3s than her food provided, so we started giving her Dreamcoat daily.
I don't think we'll be returning to Russian Hill Dog Grooming. The attitude is just too much to put up with. A paying customer should be treated kindly, or at the very least, with some respect. The Groom Room sounds like a great place, so we're headed there next.
The owner is laughable with his attitude. Seems to really have a chip on his shoulder. Go to 'The Groom Room' on Pacific.
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I just dropped off my mother-in-law's poodle. This poodle looks like a rastafarian dog so we are lookin at an extreme make-over! I spoke to the owner on the phone and met him in person. Not a snob at all? He explained the cost to me and told me that I would have to pay extra if the dog's hair is matted. That makes sense. He was very professional. The shop is very cute and very clean. I'll let you know what happens when I pick up the pup. Stay tuned...
All I can say is WOW! They were awesome.
As a veterinarian assistant, in San Francisco I have seen many neglected - and I mean poorly maintained dogs - come and go. To have one's dog groomed is not a luxury; but a necessity. Just like flossing your teeth (or not!) - you will ultimately pay the price (or not!) for neglect. I know people (our vet clients) who have gone to Russian Hill Dog Grooming since they opened in 1994 - and they have been nothing BUT professional, safe and trustworthy. Some people don't like to hear that their precious dog has mats - or has nails that curl because they haven't been trimmed each month - or that their dogs have ear infections - because they haven't been cleaned weekly. And any groomer worth his profession; should educate their clients - that proper grooming is essential but involves BOTH the groomer and the owner - and if I had my choice of groomers, I would ONLY go to the best, the most professional place - and that is Russian Hill. As I see it, over the years - the healthiest dogs are always the ones that are best groomed, best exercised, and best loved. Can you put a price tag on the dog you supposedly love so much? Is the extra $10 or $20 or even $30 - for a job well done - really not worth it? If you only want to have a groomer - who is your best friend - then think about all your favorite teachers, doctors, dentists, and other professionals in your life whom you admire and respect - are the best ones always so warm and fuzzy? I have to say, I have met the 2 owners (husband - Leonard - and wife, Patricia) - and they have done nothing but put their hearts, minds and souls into their business. They are most kind, fair, professional, and generous - to say the very least. They are a San Francisco treasure. If you haven't been - or are unsure; revisit. Your dog won't be sorry. Also, the dogs are their number one priority - and all are treated safely - as they are the shop who keeps their employees and even has the most employees - and the one that is not afraid to educate their clients. Oh, and the added bonus: Leonard is San Francisco's ONLY Nationally Certified National Groomer - which means that he has taken his business seriously - and most professionally. Confidence and self-assuredness should not be construed as snottiness, but as a merit.
we have gone to leonard 4-5 times with our 2 golden retrievers and often refer to him as the dog grooming nazi based on his very curt demeanor, which we overlooked (in addition to the steep price) because he had done a very good job on our dogs. but the last time we went he did a terrible job on our dogs making the high price and bad attitude intolerable.
i also don't like the way they treat the dogs there. our dogs absolutely cringe and shake when they go there raising questions in my mind about what goes on the in the back...
i'm sad because i think leonard is a good guy and know his business means the world to him, but he needs to reflect on his attitude and moodiness (sometimes he is friendly, but is often very short with his clients) and remember that he is in the service business.
finally, we have also had similar experiences as others about the ambiguity on when the dogs will be ready for pick up...often feeling like they sat unecessarily in cages for much longer than need be if Leonard would just pick up the phone and call when they are done (does not seem like a tall order).
we are currently trying other places.
HORRIBLE PLACE. The man who runs this place could be the rudest and snobbiest person I have ever met. He practically shaved my dog when I asked for a puppy cut and then proceeded to tell me after I came to pick up my dog that he was charging me an extra 30 dollars for the dematting. The dog haircut ended up costing $110. Talk about highway robbery- My own haircuts don't cost that much. My dog looks absolutely awful and looks completely chopped up. Its really quite a shame that there are people in the world like this. I hope he goes out of business. What an A-hole- don't waste you money.
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Here's the doggy poop on the "snob factor."
These days, the owners are charming, mellow, professional people - parents to a couple of darling kids. They're invested in their neighborhood, and their customers. The husband is the groomer with helpers. I like him, though it's been a while since I was by (we moved 'hoods).
A few years ago, RHDG got reviewed and talked up - because the establishment did a great job of looking and feeling exclusive and fun. And once upon a time, I was less then thrilled because I felt they were not super together at the front desk (that was AGES ago). They fixed the issues, they return calls. They're very together now - but yes, busy.
Pricey, but good. Just ignore the few snobs who bring Poochie and Fluffy, and get to know the owners. If price is an issue, Wags on Polk is nice but - a bit chaotic at times. Nice folks there too, also h+w team.
Whoever said the owners and employees are snobby needs to re-up their meds. The owners are the most down to earth folks who truly love animals especially dogs. When I had my dog Oscar, he would come back so happy after the treatment at this establishment.
Ok, so they are ridiculously expensive, but they make my Chow mix feel as soft as cashmere. And Leonard has never refused to take my baby and no one has ever looked down on me or her. And I have brought her in loaded with dreadlocks, covered in sand and freshly sprayed by a skunk! I would rather pay a $100 for her and cut my own hair!
This has to be the snobbiest grooming salon in California. Unless you have a poodle, the people working there are rude and arrogant. While they did manage to make my dog look good, she ran out of there and literally refuses to go back. They are much better options in this city that do not come with the hefty price tag or the attitude.
When I walked by with my dogs, the worker came up to the front and said hi to the pups and was very friendly. I looked inside and it smelled of dogs but looked like this Dog Grooming shop I saw in Paris, aka super chi chi!! There was a poodle there getting its coat trimmed.. he looked like some styrofoam statue! However, a woman who walked in their with her dog was very snobby and didn't even acknowledge my dogs, though her little pup did :( So maybe Jenn K. is right.
I have a love/hate relationship with this place. First and foremost, they are skilled groomers and do an excellent job. However, at first they definitely looked down upon my little dog because he was a rescue mixed breed (and not, of course, a purebred) but now I think they have gotten over that because he is apparently "a very sweet dog." So I continue to go back, and love the grooming they do for my very sweet mutt.
I love this place, i found the staff to be very friendly and accomodating....its the only place my puppy will go!! They make her look soooo beautiful!!
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I used to go to Russian HIll Dog Grooming and they always made my little girl look adorable. I found them by asking everyone with dogs in my neighborhood where they went and they all said Russian Hill. Most of the people in my neighborhood are middle aged to older whose dogs are like their children. They get 5 stars for grooming ability, minus 1 star for price value and snobbiness. I made a comment once on how Saturdays must be the busiest (after all I have a regular job and no time to drop my baby off on the week days) and he said "No, the beginning of the week is the busiest because everyone who has second homes in Napa drop their dogs off to get groomed." I was like oh I wish I had a 2nd home in Napa making it clear I'm not one of those rich people. They also charge the most for dog grooming. To groom a Yorkie it's $60 (larger dogs cost more), but he charged me $75 last time because he said my dog was tangled. I was like okay, whatever. Right now I'm going to Pet Grooming Headquarters as Katherine charges about 2/3 of the price and also makes Daisy look adorable.
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