The 10 Best High Velocity Dryers for Dog Grooming - Pet Hair HQ (2025)

We all know getting your dog dry after a wash can be an ordeal. Many dogs run away as fast as they can once they have been doused with water, leaving a trail of suds, droplets and wet fur all over the house. A good dryer will leave your dog looking and feeling great. Of course, different dryers suit different needs and the aim of this article is to help you find the best high velocity dryer for dog grooming that fits your budget and your dog’s fur.

It may seem a bit odd to invest in a hair dryer especially for your pet, when you’ve probably got a perfectly functional hair dryer at home! But I promise, there are many reasons why a specialized dog hair dryer is worth the spend. We have put together a list of the best hair dryers for dogs. While we are going to be focusing mainly on high velocity dryers, we will also highlight our pick of the best hand held dryers, and dryers which are mounted on stands.

Read on to find out which is best high velocity dryer for you and your dog.

What is a dog “hair dryer” exactly?

Dog hair dryers are designed to safely and effectively remove water and moisture from the dog’s coat. Because dogs often have thick, multi-layered coats, they need extra power and air force to penetrate the thick fur. While most human hair dryers get very hot, most dog hair dryers do not reach a high heat. It is not safe to apply heat directly to a dog as it can cause overheating and severe discomfort.

How do they work?

Dog hair dryers don’t actually “dry” the fur, in terms of applying high heat. Instead, air pressure removes the moisture from the fur by force. The strong air-flow doesn’t harm the dog, it’s just strong enough to get through the thick layers of fur, and down to the skin. As mentioned before, while many dog hair dryers have different heat settings, the heat rarely goes beyond 70 degrees Celsius. You can even opt for no heat at all, which is handy for warm months and sensitive dog skin.

What kinds of dryer are there and how do you use them?

High velocity dryers are used by manually holding the hose, while the motor stays put on a surface. You can manually dry the dog by directing the hose, and controlling where the air flow goes, (keeping it away from eyes and ears). These dryers have a powerful air flow and speed.

Handheld dryers are straightforward, and are used just like human hair dryers. These are great for small dogs and for tight storage availability

Stand dryers are mounted on a stand, and are set up to be above or facing the dog, and can be moved and altered throughout the drying process. The dog stands under or in front of the dryer and is dried with a steady flow of air, instead of being dried manually with the owner directing the hose, (although, some stand dryers do have a hose option for manual drying). These types of dryers are often used by professional groomers as they can stand above the dog on a grooming table and it leaves the groomer’s hands free for brushing and clipping.

Why buy a hair dryer specially for your dog?

The air pressure blows away any loose particles. So, using a dryer on your dog after washing is a great way of reducing pet hair deposits on your floors, clothes and furniture and keeping dander at bay.

Keeping the dog’s skin and coat dry after washing is also a good way of preserving the grooming and brushing you have done, as dry fur is less likely to become matted and have dirt and particles stuck to it – which is more likely to happen if the dog goes adventuring while he is still wet.

Dogs with fluffy, delicate fur benefit from a proper blow dry because it allows the fur to maintain a groomed, tidy appearance. Making sure your dog is dry after a wash is also great for you, as it prevents streaks of water and dog fur being strewn over your home.

What to look for in terms of construction and features

Material – Plastic hoses which are subject to warm air can sometimes be prone to breaking or warping. Make sure the model you select has a durable hose, models with this feature will always state this on the specifications list.

Build Quality – If you are opting for a high-velocity dryer with a stationary motor and hose, then make sure the body of the machine (the casing around the motor) is strong and protective. The longer the motor lasts, the better, and a protective casing will ensure this.

Hose length – If your dog is large, look for a model with a long hose, so you can easily move around the dog and get into all the tricky places.

Variable Speed – Dryers with variable speeds are great because you can change the speed/pressure according to the delicateness of the part of your dog you are drying. You will want to take the speed down when drying the dog’s face or around any sensitive parts.

Find the best high velocity dryerfor dog grooming for you

Here is our pick of the best high velocity dog grooming dryers on the market, with a rundown of the key features.

These dryers look like regular hair dryers for humans, but are designed and marketed for dogs. While not as powerful or effective as the high velocity dryers these are great for hands-on grooming and drying. You can give the dog a quick dry by directing the dryer directly to the desired spot. Of course, they don’t take up as much room as the high-velocity, motor-and-hose models, so are great for small or limited storage situations.

Stand dryers do what the name suggests…the dryer is mounted up on a stand, so the dog can stand beneath the dryer. These are great for professional groomers as the dog can be situated on a grooming table, with the dryer aimed above.