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 walk now costs £13.45 (or £13.43 on weekends) but some dog walkers charge as much as £25.
Dog owners in Sheffield and Belfast pay the least overall, where dog walkers charge an average of £10.26 or £10.44, respectively, for a walk. In fact, those in Sheffield and Belfast pay around 23% less than London pet owners on average. And the cheapest dog walkers in these areas charge as little as £6 or £8, respectively.
However, dog walks between £5 and £8 can be found no matter where you live—but these figures represent the very cheapest dog walkers available.
See the table below to find dog walking prices near you.
| Rank (1 = cheapest) | City | Lowest Price | Highest Price | Average Price | 3-Year Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheffield | £6 | £20 | £10.26 | 2% |
| 2 | Belfast | £8 | £12 | £10.44 | 4% |
| 3 | Leister | £8 | £15 | £10.58 | 4% |
| 4 | Cardiff | £5 | £15 | £10.66 | 5% |
| 5 | Bradford | £6 | £15 | £10.73 | 9% |
| 6 | Edinburgh | £5 | £20 | £10.98 | 7% |
| 7 | Glasgow | £5 | £18 | £11.00 | 13% |
| 8 | Liverpool | £7 | £15 | £11.15 | 10% |
| 9 | Leeds | £5 | £16 | £11.34 | 17% |
| 10 | Manchester | £8 | £16 | £11.46 | 18% |
| 11 | Bristol | £5 | £21 | £11.61 | 17% |
| 12 | Birmingham | £5 | £20 | £12.07 | 15% |
| 13 | London | £7 | £25 | £13.45 | 5% |
As you can see in the table, dog walking prices has risen substantially in some areas. Of note are Manchester, where average dog walking costs have risen 18% or £1.78 from £9.68 to £11.46 between 2018 and 2021. Prices are also up 17% in Leeds and Bristol, as well as 15% in Birmingham.
A £1.78 rise in the cost of a dog walk (like the increase seen in Manchester) might not sound like much at first glance, but consider a dog owner who needs someone to walk their dog everyday while theyre at work. That person would now spend an extra £445 a year (£1.78 x 250 working days a year)—thats about what most people spend on car insurance each year!
Average Price £10 – £20 per walk
Want to hire a dog walker but not sure of the cost? Our handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about the cost of different types of dog walking services, including group walks, solo walks and more.
What qualifications do you need to be a dog walker?
Whist there are no specific qualifications required to become a dog walker/pet sitter, having qualifications in areas such as animal first aid, animal behaviour, or animal care, will enhance your professional standing.
Pricing Guide for Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Dog walkers can charge around £10 and £20 an hour, depending on location and demand. According to research by The Telegraph in 2015 dog walkers can earn 20% more than the average UK salary, and more in London.