Bowie Barker South Loop

Reviews

• CW

  Chelsea Whitlow

  Aug 7, 2026
  5.0
  Bowie Barker South Loop is great and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a groomer in the neighborhood! The groomers and the front desk staff are so kind, and they're extremely communicative during the appointment. We cancelled our membership because we're moving out of the city, but I would gladly try any other Bowie Barker location based on the experience my dog had at the South Loop location.
• SD

  Stephanie Duby

  Jul 18, 2026
  5.0
  We love the Bowie Barker South Loop team! Our lab mix sheds like crazy so once a month he gets a spa day with a bath, deshedding, and nail trim. We love that they send photo updates during his grooming appointment and the staff is always so friendly and attentive. We definitely recommend their full service grooming!
• DJ

  divia jain

  Jul 12, 2026
  1.0
  Very much reevaluating whether to bring my dog back here. We originally started coming here because our longtime groomer moved to this location. She has always been wonderful with our dog—gentle, patient, and consistently giving him an excellent haircut. For our most recent appointment, I called only a day in advance and was told there were plenty of openings and that the schedule was very flexible. We selected a time and booked for the next day. However, when my husband arrived for the appointment, he was told they were extremely busy. When our dog came home, he had been shaved down so short that you could see the undercoat and skin through his fur. This is not only aesthetically disappointing but also a concern for his health, as prolonged sun exposure can increase his risk of sunburn, making our usual long walks difficult. The haircut itself was also uneven and looked like it had been done by someone inexperienced. We specifically requested our regular groomer, so this was especially frustrating. During this visit, his nails also appeared to have been trimmed much more aggressively than usual. Although they were not cut to the point of bleeding, he was flinching as though they had been trimmed too close. The overall experience left me with the impression that this place is a high-volume, corporate-style operation focused on fitting in as many appointments as possible. Unfortunately, because our pets cannot tell us what happened during their visit, it is difficult to know whether they are being handled by the groomer we requested or by assistants who may not have the same level of experience. When I called to express my concerns, I was told that our regular groomer had completed the groom. However, we have been following her for nearly four years, and our dog has never once come home looking like this. The quality and finish were completely unlike anything we have experienced with her before. Perhaps the most upsetting part is our dog’s behavior afterward. He has been getting professionally groomed every 4–6 weeks since he was four months old and is now five years old. While grooming has never been his favorite activity, he has always been comfortable enough with the process. After this visit, he came home unusually quiet, withdrawn, and hesitant to trust anyone. That alone speaks volumes to me. This experience has genuinely left me questioning whether I feel comfortable bringing him back. After I posted the review, they posted a public apology here in response. However, in the private text they simply wrote, “We have cancelled your membership and wish you the best,” without offering any apology or taking responsibility. To me, that shows how they operate—they only acknowledge the issue publicly to protect their reputation and avoid losing other customers, while privately taking no ownership of what happened.
• BC

  Bryan Cygan

  Jul 11, 2026
  5.0
  Kelly is an incredible groomer and so great with Sven! Highly recommend!
• DG

  Dr. Yaro Garcia

  Jul 6, 2026
  5.0
  We took our dog Oreo here for the first time yesterday and Amara the groomer was wonderful from the start. She took the time to ask questions. Amara came across as genuinely happy to bathe and groom Oreo. This place feels safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bowie Barker South Loop