South Hampstead · Greater London
Dog Walking Business Start-Up Guide for South Hampstead
What's actually required before you start walking dogs for clients in South Hampstead and Greater London.
A dog walking business means collecting and walking dogs rather than looking after them overnight -- and South Hampstead, like every UK council, may have its own local licence or park rules worth checking before you start in Greater London.
South Hampstead at a glance
Referral Networks Matter Here
Vets, pet shops, groomers and dog trainers across Greater London are realistic referral sources for a new dog walking business, beyond direct advertising.
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Dog Walking in South Hampstead
What the rules say
There's no general national licence for plain dog walking in the UK. Dog day care and home boarding are different -- both are licensable activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, and sit outside what this guide covers. What does vary locally is real: some councils and parks run their own professional dog-walking licence or permit schemes, and any 'number of dogs per walker' limit is set locally too, usually via a Public Spaces Protection Order -- check the specific council or park you intend to use rather than assuming a single UK-wide rule. Every dog you walk in public must wear a collar showing the owner's name and address (Control of Dogs Order 1992), and you're responsible for clearing up after every dog in your care. Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement the moment you take on non-family staff.
Questions about starting in South Hampstead
Is dog walking the same as dog day care or home boarding for licensing purposes in South Hampstead?
No -- day care and home boarding are licensable activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, wherever you're based, including South Hampstead. Plain dog walking with no overnight stay generally isn't, which is why this guide covers walking only.
How many dogs can I walk at once in South Hampstead?
There's no UK-wide limit. Some councils set a cap via a Public Spaces Protection Order, commonly for use on their own land or parks, but plenty have no limit at all -- check the specific council or park you plan to use in South Hampstead.
Do I need insurance to start a dog walking business in South Hampstead?
Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but it's close to standard practice across South Hampstead and Greater London, and some local licences require proof of it as a condition. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you take on any staff.
Do I need a DBS check to walk dogs in South Hampstead?
Not as a blanket rule. It's a commercial trust-building choice, most relevant if you'll be holding a client's house keys in South Hampstead -- it isn't a confirmed legal requirement either way for general dog walking.
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