Finding a dog walker in Tyne and Wear is easy; knowing who to trust takes a little more care. We’ve applied a strict standard here: a walker counts as verified only if their own website gives clear details, and marketplace walkers need a good number of reviews before we mention them.
Do dog walkers need a licence here?
North Tyneside Council’s response to a Freedom of Information request (FOI-5425) says no licence is required for dog walking and there is no cap on the number of dogs. We found nothing either way for Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside, and no permit scheme for walking on Newcastle’s Town Moor, although that isn’t conclusive. A walker who says they hold a “licence” is most likely referring to an animal-activities licence for daycare or boarding, which is a different thing. Always ask what it covers.
The walker we could verify
Walking the Dog, Selkirk Way, North Shields NE29 8DD (walkingthedog.co.uk). Its own site says it is fully insured and that staff are DBS cleared, and it mentions a North Tyneside licence without giving a number. It has 177 reviews on FreeIndex, field walks from £7 and works Monday to Friday only. The insurance and DBS statements are the business’s own claims and we haven’t seen certificates, so ask to see them.
Leads and marketplaces
Treat these as leads, not recommendations. Happy Paws (Kingston Park, NE3 2XF) says it is insured, DBS checked and first-aid trained, but has only two FreeIndex reviews and a generic name, so match the address carefully. TynePets in Newcastle says it is insured, and Honoured Pets NE in Houghton-le-Spring (DH4 4PT) says it is insured and DBS checked but has no reviews. On marketplaces, the top Rover walkers in Newcastle show 39 and 38 reviews, and Pawshake shows 31 in Sunderland and 20 in Newcastle. None reaches our 50-review threshold.
Gaps
We found no verified walkers in Gateshead, Sunderland or South Tyneside. That is a limit of what we could confirm, not proof there are none.
Whoever you choose, ask about insurance, lead and recall practice, group sizes and what happens in an emergency, and do a meet-and-greet first. A calming bite can help take the edge off a nervous dog’s first few walks, and if anxiety is a regular issue, speak to your vet. For everything else, see our Tyne and Wear dog services hub, and for places to walk yourself, our best local dog walks in Tyne and Wear.
A second look on Google Maps
Google Maps shows more Newcastle walkers than our first pass found. These have a listing, their own website and at least 11 reviews, all rated 4.6 or better when we checked.
Pawtastic Paw Pet Sitting
★★★★★ 5.0 · 55 Google reviews
Came up in a Newcastle search, with a Google Maps listing and their own website; ask whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear.
View on Google Maps
Happy Paws Dog Walking And Pet Sitting
★★★★★ 5.0 · 48 Google reviews
In Kingston Park, with a Google Maps listing and their own website. This looks like the Happy Paws we flagged above with only two FreeIndex reviews, so this is a much better sign for it.
View on Google Maps
Club Fetch Newcastle
★★★★★ 4.8 · 45 Google reviews
Came up in a Newcastle search, with a Google Maps listing and their own website; ask whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear.
View on Google Maps
Angel’s Pet Care
★★★★★ 4.6 · 40 Google reviews
Came up in a Newcastle search, with a Google Maps listing and their own website; ask whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear.
View on Google Maps
Nic’s dog walking
★★★★★ 5.0 · 28 Google reviews
Came up in a Newcastle search, with a Google Maps listing and their own website; ask whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear.
View on Google Maps
Tails of Suburbia
★★★★★ 5.0 · 23 Google reviews
Came up in a Newcastle search, with a Google Maps listing and their own website; ask whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear.
View on Google Maps
Gosdogwalking
★★★★★ 5.0 · 17 Google reviews
Came up in a Newcastle search, with a Google Maps listing and their own website; ask whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear.
View on Google Maps
Dynamic Paws
★★★★★ 5.0 · 11 Google reviews
Came up in a Newcastle search, with a Google Maps listing and their own website; ask whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear.
View on Google Maps
We haven’t tested any of them, Google ratings come from the public, and these all came up in a Newcastle search, so ask each walker whether they cover your part of Tyne and Wear. Two names also mention pet sitting, which is a separate service. The Wonderwalks (5.0 from 39) and Pooches in puddles (5.0 from 21) are well reviewed but have no website on their listings, so we’ve left them off.
After a meet-and-greet, you may want ideas for the rest of your dog’s week, from a fenced field to a pub stop that welcomes dogs: see our secure dog fields in Tyne and Wear and our dog-friendly pubs, cafés and restaurants in Tyne and Wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dog walkers need a licence in North Tyneside?
According to the council’s FOI response, no licence is required for dog walking and there is no dog cap. A licence for daycare or boarding is a separate thing.
Is there a dog walker in North Shields?
Walking the Dog, on Selkirk Way, says it is insured and DBS cleared and has 177 FreeIndex reviews. Those are the business’s own claims, so ask to see certificates.
What should I ask a dog walker before booking?
Ask about insurance, group size, how they handle recall and emergencies, and arrange a meet-and-greet with your dog first.
Written by Georgiana & Figo, who insists on a proper meet-and-greet with anyone holding a lead.
