Another question for you all...can anyone recommend a good solid, not too heavy grooming table that will cope with 30kg or so of dog and kit? It would get regular use so happy to spend what's needed to avoid wobbles and short shelf life :-). It needs to be something very sturdy and quiet to cope with a nervous nelly who hates grooming (that's my dog, not me). Are hydraulic tables a good buy, or are they very expensive to repair?  

Does it need to be put away or could you fix a piece of kitchen worktop onto a wall in utility/conservatory/shed/garage with hanging rails for legs?  Very sturdy , the right height for you and will last for ever.

I've found that most dogs don't like standing on a hydraulic table that moves.............

sadly this house has no space for anything that is fixed like a counter top...at least until offspring move out. Good point about the moving table though. It would be easier to have something that could fold away I suppose, although I could accommodate a fixed table in the attic and there is good lighting up there with big velux windows.

A point to remember :   can you physically lift a 30 kg dog onto a table?   Should you be thinking about one with a pump up/hydraulic lift????

I can for now :-) but that's why I asked about hydraulic tables and whether they 'go wrong', need expensive parts, etc.