Devon is a big county, and we found its dog-walker coverage genuinely uneven: one strong, council-backed scheme in the north, and a confirmed thin spot in the three biggest towns. Here’s exactly what we found, honestly, rather than padding the gaps with marketplace names dressed up as businesses.
North Devon’s council-approved dog walkers
North Devon District Council runs a genuine, named accreditation scheme: “Approved Dog Walking Businesses.” It’s voluntary rather than a statutory licence, introduced alongside a Public Spaces Protection Order (in force since 1 January 2024) that caps dogs per walker at six, with unregistered walkers limited to three off-lead. Validation requires public liability insurance, evidence of training or experience, canine first aid, a waste-disposal plan, suitable transport, and an in-person knowledge check with the council’s dog warden. Registered walkers carry a 12-month photo ID card.
18 businesses currently appear on the council’s own published list, covering North Devon including Barnstaple, Braunton and Ilfracombe: Anita’s Dog Walking Service, Dog Walking North Devon, Dogs Outdoors, Happy Hounds Walks, Kings Pawfection, Paddling Paws Dog Walking, Pawfully Happy, Pet Care North Devon, Pet Sit and Stay Braunton, Pooches paws and More, Sandra’s Dog Walking Services, Special Friends Dog Walking, The Fairy Dogmother of Barnstaple, Thinking Dog (Ilfracombe), Wagward Ho! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Service, Walks with Willow, Want2gowalkies and Whiskers and Tails Devon. We’d treat these as “council-approved” rather than independently reviewed, since we couldn’t find a separate website or active social page for most of them beyond the council listing itself — but the council’s own vetting process is a genuine, meaningful check in its own right.
Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay: a genuine gap
We found no dog walker in any of Devon’s three biggest towns with independent corroboration — an own website, a genuinely active Facebook or Instagram business page, press coverage, or a council scheme like North Devon’s. Every lead we checked (Muddy Paws Plymouth, Dippy Dog Walking Service, Plymstock Pet Care, Harris Hounds, Wildwood Walkies in Torquay, and others) turned out to be a bare marketplace or directory profile with nothing else behind it. This is a confirmed thin result after a genuinely thorough search, not a gap in our research.
One related initiative worth knowing about, though it isn’t a commercial walker: Devon Loves Dogs (also known as Waggy Walks) is a genuine, press-covered responsible dog-walking education project covering East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge since 2017, run with Teignbridge District Council, Forestry England, National Trust and Devon Wildlife Trust as partners. It’s a community initiative, not a service you can book.
Looking on Rover?
As we now check for every Dog Walkers guide, we searched Rover.com directly for Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay and Exmouth. Rover’s on-page FAQ text states “total walkers” figures in the hundreds for each town — this is templated marketing copy, not fact, since the actual inspectable profile count per page is only 10-20. Every profile also carries Rover’s own “Identity Verified” badge, which is Rover’s in-house check, not independent corroboration. A handful of profiles do have a genuinely high, long-standing review count and are worth naming as an example, always with that caveat:
- Sophie R., Torbay — 116 reviews, 19 years’ experience claimed
- Vanessa G., Torbay — 72 reviews, 40 years’ experience claimed
- Maggie G., Exeter — 71 reviews, 10 years’ experience
- Sarah B., Plymouth — 67 reviews, 11 years’ experience
- Anna W., Exeter — 26 reviews, 52 years’ experience claimed
None of these review counts are independently corroborated by a separate Google listing, council scheme or press, so treat them as a starting point for your own vetting, not a guarantee.
Is dog walking a licensed activity in Devon?
Generally, no. England’s Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018 covers boarding, breeding, selling, exhibiting and hiring out animals, but dog walking as a standalone activity isn’t one of the listed licensable activities. North Devon’s accreditation scheme, described above, is a voluntary local exception rather than a statutory licence, and we found no equivalent scheme for Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay, East Devon, Teignbridge or Mid/West Devon.
How to vet a dog walker yourself
- Ask for proof of insurance and, ideally, a pet first aid certificate.
- Ask to meet before booking, and watch how they handle your dog.
- Ask for references from existing local clients, not just an online review score.
- Check how many dogs they walk at once, and whether your dog will be walked alone or in a group.
- Agree in writing what happens if your dog is injured, lost or unwell during a walk.
See our Devon dog services hub for sitters and groomers we’ve been able to verify in Exeter and Plymouth, plus vets in Devon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an approved dog walker scheme in Devon?
Yes, North Devon District Council runs a voluntary “Approved Dog Walking Businesses” accreditation scheme, with 18 businesses currently listed, tied to a Public Spaces Protection Order capping dogs per walker at six.
Are there verified dog walkers in Exeter, Plymouth or Torbay?
We couldn’t find any with independent corroboration beyond marketplace profiles. Rover has real profile volume in these towns, and a handful of long-standing, well-reviewed profiles are worth a look, but always with the caveat that Rover reviews aren’t independently verified.
Is dog walking licensed in Devon?
Not as a statutory licence. North Devon’s own accreditation scheme is voluntary, and the rest of Devon has no equivalent scheme we could find.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
