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How Much Do UK Dog Walkers Charge?
The average cost of dog walking in the UK is now £13.48 per walk. Depending on where you live, however, you may pay double that for dog walking in some areas. To see how much you'll pay for a dog walker in your area, see below for dog walking prices in a dozen cities around the UK.
- How Much Do Dog Walkers Charge in the UK?
- POLL: How Much Does Your Dog Walker Charge?
- How to Save Money on Dog Walking
- How to Pick a Dog Walker
Average UK Dog Walking Cost
Based on 2026 market data from platforms like Rover and Airtasker, the average cost for a professional dog walk in the UK is now £13.48 per walk. This represents a substantial 20% increase from 2021 levels, primarily due to post-pandemic inflation and the rising cost of professional business insurance. While budget walkers can still be found for as little as £8 (e.g. if your dog is part of a group), specialized or solo walks now frequently command prices upward of £20.
| UK Dog Walking Quotes (2026) | Price per Walk |
|---|---|
| Cheapest (group walk) | £8 |
| Most Expensive (e.g. London) | £30 |
| Average | £13.50 |
Average Dog Walking Cost in Cities Across the UK
Dog walking prices vary significantly according to where you live. Not surprisingly, dog owners in London pay the most for dog walking, where an average professional dog walk now costs £20 but some dog walkers charge much more.
Dog owners in Sheffield and Belfast still enjoy the most competitive rates in the UK, though averages have climbed to £12.00 and £12.25 respectively. While these cities remain affordable, the price gap with the capital has narrowed slightly. Today, Sheffield and Belfast residents pay approximately 40% less than pet owners in London.
The table below shows how dog walking prices can vary be local area, and also where rates have risen the most (e.g. big cities like Manchester and London).
| City | Average Price (2026) | 5-Year Increase (vs 2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | £12.00 | 17% |
| Belfast | £12.25 | 17% |
| Manchester | £18.00 | 57% |
| London | £20.25 | 51% |
Note: Manchester has seen the most aggressive price growth in the UK due to a surge in city-centre apartment residents requiring daily professional care.
POLL: How Much do Dog Walkers Charge?
If you've ever paid a dog walker to take your four-legged friend out and about, please let us know how much they charged for a walk. If you've had multiple dog walkers charging different amounts, feel free to submit up to three responses to the poll. Once you answer, the poll automatically displays the results from everyone who has submitted an answer, so you can compare prices and see if you're paying too much or getting a great deal!
How to Save Money on Dog Walking
Dog walking costs can really add up over time, especially if your dog needs frequent walks. With the current 2026 average of £13.48 per walk, a dog requiring a professional walk five days a week will now cost its owner approximately £3,505 annually. This represents a nearly £800 increase in yearly costs compared to 2021. Pet owners can mitigate this by booking 'group walks' or buying weekly 'walking blocks,' which can reduce the per-walk cost by as much as 15%.
If you're budget conscious, here are some tips to help you save money on dog walking:
- Borrow My Doggy connects dog owners with trusted local people who love to look after dogs—and will do so for free! In addition to walks, you can arrange playtime and overnight stays for when you go on holiday.
- Ask about discounts for regular walks.
- Find an individual walker not a large company, and you may pay less as there are fewer overheads.
- Compare Prices before choosing a dog walker.
How to Pick a Dog Walker
When looking for a new dog walker, first ask around for personal recommendations—you may save time looking for a dog walker plus gain comfort that you're leaving your dog with someone trusted and reliable. Whether you use a recommendation or you're starting from scratch, be sure the dog walker meets your standards. Here are some questions you may want to ask a potential dog walker:
- How many dogs do you walk at a time? While a few dogs can certainly be more fun on a walk than just one, be sure the dog walker doesn't take too many dogs out at once. Too many dogs can lead to conflict or increase the odds a dog goes missing. In fact, members of the National Association of Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers (NarpsUK) must agree to walk at most 4 dogs at a time.
- Do you walk with anyone else? Ideally, a dog walker doesn't meet up with a fellow dog walker for walks. You want your dog walker to pay full attention to the dogs in their care, not be distracted by another group of dogs or talking with a friend.
- What kind of dogs do you walk together? Depending on the temperament of the dogs involved, it isn't always a good idea to have a mix of large and small dogs on a walk. For example, a boisterous lab might unintentionally frighten or even injure a small dog. Ask how a dog walker takes these factors into consideration.
- How long is the dog walk? Be sure to find out how long your dog will be walked—independent of travel time. If you're expecting an off-lead walk, find out how long your dog will be running free without a lead.
- How are you insured? A dog walker should be insured to cover any incidents whilst your dog is in their care—say if your dog bites someone. For example, bookings made via Rover (which acquired DogBuddy) are now protected by the 'Rover Guarantee,' which provides up to £25,000 in vet care reimbursement and up to £100,000 in third-party property damage coverage. It is important to note that this is a discretionary reimbursement program, not a standard insurance policy; always verify that your walker has their own independent £5 million Public Liability insurance for maximum protection. (For the avoidance of doubt, it's best to have your own dog insurance in addition to ensuring a dog walker is insured.)
- What courses have you taken? Ideally, a dog walker has sought out training and taken courses such as animal first aid, animal behaviour and animal care.
- How do you transport dogs? Depending on how long your dog will travel and the number of dogs being transported at once, you might look for different vehicle features. Does the dog walker use a special vehicle that maximizes airflow? Does the dog walker separate dogs with individual crates? Also, be sure a dog walker will never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle—in addition to the risk of death on a warm day, dog thieves are known to target dogs left in cars.
- Do we sign a service contract? Dog walking service contracts and booking forms are important to clarify expectations and responsibilities of both parties, to help you avoid conflict later.
In addition to these questions, it's a good idea to meet a dog walker in person before the first walk to see how they get along with your dog. Look to see how the dog walker initially greets your dog, how affectionate and authoritative they seem (you'll want a mix of both) and what the general chemistry is like (e.g., how does your dog act around the dog walker?).
Also, a good dog walker will ask you lots of questions about your dog, so they know as much as possible about your dog's like and dislikes (e.g., scared of big dogs, loves to carry a stick but is possessive of it, etc.) before they venture out together. If you live near a university, you might find some students (even vet students) who miss their dogs at home and are looking for companionship—a win-win for everyone!