Professional Dog Walkers’ Charter
The New Forest National Park is a very popular place for dog walking, especially for local people. The high level of dog walking alongside other types of outdoor recreation in such a tranquil place, with rare wildlife, protected habitats, livestock, farming and forestry operations, makes it vitally important that everyone adopts best practice.
The New Forest Dog Walking Code is designed for individual dog walkers. But many dog owners also choose to pay a professional dog walker to walk their dog – there are many such businesses operating in and around the New Forest.
Professional dog walkers are commercial businesses and usually walk multiple dogs at once, so they have an additional duty to operate responsibly.
The Professional Dog Walkers’ Charter builds on the Dog Walking Code to reflect this additional responsibility. All professional dog walkers that walk in the New Forest National Park are encouraged to abide by the best practice standards set out in this Charter. The Kennel Club fully support this initiative.
Dog owners that choose businesses that have signed up to the Charter will know that their dogs will be cared for by business following industry best practice in care and welfare, and that every effort is made to respect the special qualities of the National Park. A vinyl sticker is available for businesses to display on their vehicles to promote their good practice.
The Charter is supported by the New Forest National Park Authority, New Forest District Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Constabulary, Natural England, Forestry England, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Bird Aware Solent and New Forest Dog Owners Group.
If your dog walking business would like to sign up, please read the Professional Dog Walkers’ Charter and fill in your details below. If you have any questions please email pdwc@newforestnpa.gov.uk. Feedback on the operation of the scheme is also welcome to the same email address.
