What Is the Biggest Dog Walking Business in the World?

When you think about dog walking, you might picture a neighbor strolling their own pup or a local freelancer with a leash and a smile. But behind those casual walks is a multi-million-dollar industry - one that’s grown faster than most people realize. The biggest dog walking business isn’t a small local operation. It’s not even a chain of mom-and-pop shops. It’s a tech-driven, nationwide (and global) service that books tens of thousands of walks every single day. And yes, it’s still growing.

Who Actually Runs the Biggest Dog Walking Business?

The title goes to PetBacker a global pet care platform that connects pet owners with professional dog walkers and sitters. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in the U.S., PetBacker now operates in over 20 countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe. It doesn’t employ walkers directly - instead, it acts as a marketplace, vetting and connecting independent professionals with pet owners. This model lets them scale faster than any company that tries to hire and manage staff.

How big are we talking? In 2025, PetBacker processed more than 12 million dog walks. That’s roughly 33,000 walks per day. Compare that to Wag!, which handles about 25,000 walks daily, or DogVacay (now part of Rover), which peaked at around 20,000. PetBacker’s edge? Its pricing flexibility, real-time GPS tracking, and 24/7 customer support. Pet owners don’t just want a walk - they want proof their dog is safe, happy, and getting attention.

How PetBacker Changed the Game

Before platforms like PetBacker, dog walkers were mostly local. You’d find one through a Facebook group or a recommendation from the vet. There was no standardization. No background checks. No way to know if the person walking your dog had experience with a high-energy Border Collie or a senior dog with arthritis.

PetBacker changed that by introducing a three-step vetting process: identity verification, criminal background checks, and a live video interview. Walkers also have to pass a dog behavior quiz. They’re rated by owners after every walk, and those ratings affect their visibility on the app. Top-rated walkers earn bonuses and priority bookings.

They also introduced walk categories: 15-minute quick potty breaks, 30-minute social walks, and 60-minute adventure hikes. Owners can choose based on their dog’s needs. A Chihuahua in an apartment? A 15-minute walk. A German Shepherd who hasn’t left the yard in three days? A 60-minute trail walk. This level of customization made PetBacker the go-to for busy professionals, retirees, and pet parents who travel often.

Why Other Companies Didn’t Catch Up

Wag! used to be the leader. They had the name recognition, venture capital funding, and a slick app. But they made a critical mistake: they tried to hire and train walkers as employees. That meant higher costs, slower expansion, and less flexibility. When PetBacker launched its peer-to-peer model, Wag! was stuck with fixed wages, office overhead, and limited geographic coverage.

DogVacay tried to pivot from pet sitting to walking, but their app was clunky. They didn’t integrate real-time GPS updates until 2022 - years after PetBacker had already made it standard. By then, trust was already built elsewhere.

Even local giants like DogWatch (UK) and Paws & Walks (Australia) couldn’t compete. They had loyal customers, sure. But they lacked the tech infrastructure. No app-based scheduling. No automated reminders. No way to see photos of your dog mid-walk. PetBacker didn’t just offer a service - it offered peace of mind.

What Makes a Dog Walking Business Successful Today?

If you’re wondering what it takes to build a big dog walking business, here’s what matters most:

• Technology - A mobile app that shows walk routes, duration, and photos. GPS tracking isn’t optional anymore.
• Vetting - Walkers need background checks, references, and training. Owners won’t risk their pet with someone unverified.
• Flexibility - Walks scheduled at 7 a.m., 3 p.m., or 10 p.m.? The best platforms let owners choose.
• Transparency - After every walk, owners get a summary: distance walked, energy level, bathroom breaks, and even a quick note like “Biscuit loved the park today!”
• Community - Walkers who feel supported, paid fairly, and recognized stay longer. PetBacker gives top walkers bonuses, free gear, and even mental health resources.

It’s not about how many dogs you walk. It’s about how reliably you can prove you care.

What About Smaller Companies?

Don’t get me wrong - small dog walking businesses still thrive. In Bristol alone, there are over 80 independent walkers. Many of them make more per walk than PetBacker’s average walker because they charge directly and don’t pay platform fees. Some even offer custom services: dog yoga, beach walks, or post-surgery recovery strolls.

But here’s the catch: those small businesses don’t scale. They can’t handle 100 walks a day. They can’t compete with 24/7 customer support. And when an owner goes on vacation and needs a walker in Paris or Tokyo? They’re out of luck.

PetBacker’s network covers 150+ cities worldwide. That’s why it’s the biggest. Not because it’s the cheapest. Not because it has the most walkers. But because it’s the most reliable - and that’s what pet owners pay for.

The Future of Dog Walking

By 2027, the global dog walking market is expected to hit $12 billion. That’s up from $6.8 billion in 2023. More people are working remotely. More pets are being adopted. And more owners are willing to spend on quality care.

Expect to see AI-powered walk planning - where algorithms match dogs with walkers based on energy levels, breed, and even weather. Some platforms are testing wearable collars that track heart rate and stress levels during walks. If a dog’s anxiety spikes, the system automatically notifies the owner and suggests a shorter, calmer route.

One thing won’t change: dogs still need to go outside. And someone still has to take them. But now, that someone is part of a global network - and the biggest player in that network is PetBacker.