Birmingham is often said to have more miles of canal than Venice, which makes the West Midlands a good deal more dog-walkable than its reputation suggests. Towpaths run through Birmingham, Wolverhampton and beyond, and Sutton Park gives the area a big, wild green space right on the city’s doorstep.
This page covers the West Midlands metropolitan area: Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and the boroughs around them. Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire have their own directories, so we haven’t borrowed from them here. Every AboutDogs guide for the area is linked below, with a pointer to a UK-wide guide wherever there’s no local page, so you can find the right starting point without trawling the whole site.
What’s covered in the West Midlands
- Dog trainers: Dog trainers in the West Midlands
- Vets: Best vets in the West Midlands
- Dog swimming spots: we don’t have a West Midlands-wide swimming guide, but there is one for Birmingham and the surrounding area. For elsewhere, see our UK dog swimming guide.
- Dog sitters: Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. For other boroughs, try our UK dog sitters directory.
- Dog groomers: Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, with the UK dog groomers guide for the rest.
- Adoption and rescue: Dog adoption and rescue centres in the West Midlands
- Pet transport: Birmingham (the M5/M6/M42 position) and Coventry (the M6/M69/A45 crossroads)
Canals, parks and a few cautions
Canal towpaths are flat and varied, but they’re shared with cyclists and runners, and the water’s edge is right there. A dog who loves a plunge can find it hard to climb back out, so keep a close eye and use a lead if there’s any doubt. Sutton Park is a nature reserve with its own rules and plenty of space to explore, and it’s worth checking the park’s signage before you let your dog off the lead.
The area’s motorway network is a blessing for getting about and a headache at rush hour, so allow extra time if you’ve got a vet appointment or a transport booking.
City noise and vet visits
City noise and vet visits can be a lot for some dogs. Calmshops stocks Calmdogs calming bites, a complementary feed for the days around an appointment. It isn’t a treatment, so your vet is the one to ask about real distress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this page mean by the West Midlands?
The West Midlands metropolitan area, including Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire have their own directories.
Is there a dog rescue guide for the West Midlands?
Yes. Our West Midlands adoption and rescue guide covers Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and nearby areas, and it is linked above.
Where can I take my dog swimming near Birmingham?
Our Birmingham swimming guide covers spots in and around the city. Rules can change, so check each venue before you set off.
Written by Georgiana & Figo. Rush-hour on the M6 is nobody’s idea of fun, so build in a bit of slack on appointment days.
