Groomers in Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Santa Rosa Beach has seven grooming salons, more than anywhere else in Walton County. That is enough to choose on something other than availability. Ask who is set up for your dog's coat: a salon that hand strips terriers and one that mostly does doodle trims are doing different jobs with different equipment. Four list a website; the rest are reached by phone.

If nothing here suits, the nearest larger choice is Fort Walton Beach, about 23 miles away, with 9 salons. Worth the drive for a first appointment with a difficult coat, less so for a routine tidy up every six weeks.

The heat breaks late here and the second coat change comes with it. This is the easiest time of year to get an appointment before the holiday rush, and a good moment to catch up if the coat has been neglected.