Our first pass couldn’t verify an Oxfordshire dog walker. Google Maps gives us a shortlist: eight businesses have a listing, their own website and at least 11 reviews, all rated 5.0 when we checked. We haven’t tested any of them, so treat this as a list to meet, and check each one covers your town.
Walkers with a Google Maps listing, a website and 10+ reviews
Pixie Lee Pet Services
★★★★★ 5.0 · 77 Google reviews
Lists a website. Ask where it operates.
View on Google Maps
Headington All Paws
★★★★★ 5.0 · 50 Google reviews
Headington, Oxford. Lists a website.
View on Google Maps
Pet Pawfection Bicester
★★★★★ 5.0 · 31 Google reviews
Bicester. Lists a website.
View on Google Maps
Bicester Companions
★★★★★ 5.0 · 16 Google reviews
Bicester. Lists a website.
View on Google Maps
Cozy Paws
★★★★★ 5.0 · 14 Google reviews
Lists a website. Ask where it operates.
View on Google Maps
Hounds and Homes
★★★★★ 5.0 · 12 Google reviews
Lists a website. Ask where it operates.
View on Google Maps
Bicester Tails & Trails
★★★★★ 5.0 · 12 Google reviews
Bicester. Lists a website. Also offers overnight care, so ask to see the council licence.
View on Google Maps
Sniff and Go Walks
★★★★★ 5.0 · 11 Google reviews
Lists a website. Ask where it operates.
View on Google Maps
Several listings give no town, so ask where each walker operates. Google ratings come from the public and we haven’t checked them independently.
Other listings we left out
Pet Buddies Dog Walking Bicester & Banbury (4.5 from 8 reviews) and Tails of Oxford (5.0 from 5) have websites but too few reviews for our bar. Hunter and hound pet services (5.0 from 6) has no website. Cats Tales Pet Care and Kingsmere Pet Care are pet sitters rather than dog walkers. Walkers who offer overnight care or home boarding should hold a council licence, and you can ask to see it. Many other listings have only a few reviews, and we haven’t named them.
What to ask before you book
We found no Oxfordshire-wide scheme that licenses dog walkers alone, though councils differ, so ask yours. Ask to see proof of public liability insurance, whether the walker is DBS checked, and what first-aid training they hold. Ask how many dogs they walk at once, where they walk, and whether your dog travels in a vehicle. A meet-and-greet with your dog is worth the time. Livestock graze places like Port Meadow, so see our Oxfordshire dog walks guide for site rules.
A new walker can be a big change for a sensitive dog. A calming bite may help take the edge off, and if your dog is anxious about being handed over, speak to your vet or a qualified trainer. For more, see our Oxfordshire dog services hub.
When you’re thinking about how a walker fits into your dog’s routine, our secure dog fields in Oxfordshire are worth knowing about for a fenced run, and our dog-friendly pubs, cafés and restaurants in Oxfordshire make a handy pit stop afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did you choose these Oxfordshire dog walkers?
Each has a Google Maps listing with its own website and at least 10 reviews. We haven’t tested them, so meet any walker first and ask for proof of insurance.
Do dog walkers need a licence in Oxfordshire?
We found no licence scheme for walking alone. Home boarding and day care are licensed activities, so ask to see the licence if a walker offers either.
What should I ask a dog walker before booking?
Ask about insurance, DBS checks, first-aid training, how many dogs they walk at once and whether dogs travel in a vehicle.
Written by Georgiana & Figo, who is very particular about who holds the lead.
