Community resources
Bristol dog community
Bristol has a genuinely active dog owner community spread across several different platforms. Rather than list every group that has ever been set up, we have picked out the ones that are still active, still posting, and still worth your time. This page will keep growing as we find more.
Facebook groups and pages
Bristol Dog Community
Private dog community group with over 16,000 members. Regularly active.
Dog Walking Bristol & Somerset
A wider regional group covering Bristol and Somerset, useful if your usual walks take you beyond the city itself.
Dog Walking Buddies Bristol
A group for finding walking company in Bristol, whether you are after a regular walking partner or just do not fancy a solo trudge that day.
Bristol Dog Walks UK
A group focused specifically on sharing walking routes and recommendations around Bristol.
Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers UK
A UK-wide group connecting owners with pet sitters and dog walkers, useful if you need cover while you are away or during a busy week.
Bristol DAWG Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue
A dedicated community for sighthound owners, run by the official Bristol DAWG trustees, focused on greyhound and lurcher rescue and rehoming.
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre
Bristol's major rescue charity, with a large and active following. A source of adoption updates, appeals, and rescue stories from across the city.
Reactive dog support
Reactive Together
A support group for owners of reactive dogs — a genuinely valuable space if you are navigating this on your own and want to hear from people who understand it firsthand.
UK Holidays for Reactive Dogs
A group specifically for finding holiday accommodation and days out that work for a reactive dog, sharing real experiences from other owners rather than generic listings.
Learning and behaviour
Meetup groups
Bristol & Bath Walking/Hiking Social Group
Not dog-exclusive, but dogs on leads are welcome on group walks, and it is genuinely active with regular meetups across Bristol and Bath.
Gloucestershire Walking with Dogs
Based just north of the city, worth joining if you are happy to travel a little further for a dog-focused walking group.
Other ways to connect
BorrowMyDoggy
A national platform with a large and active Bristol presence, connecting dog owners with local people who want to spend time with a dog without owning one.
Walkie Dogs, via Can Do Bristol
A volunteer-led dog walking community, connecting walk leaders and walkers through organised group walks and WhatsApp groups.
Frequently asked questions
- How did you choose which groups to include?
- We looked for groups and pages that are genuinely active — meaning regular posts and real engagement — rather than pages that were set up once and left untouched. We would rather send you somewhere useful than somewhere quiet.
- Do you moderate or run any of these groups?
- No, these are independent groups and pages run by other people in the Bristol dog community. We are simply pointing you towards them.
- Can I suggest a group to add?
- Yes, please do. Email us at woof@thebristolhound.com with the group name and link, and we will take a look.
Browse our doggy directory
If you are after dog-friendly places rather than people, browse our full dog-friendly Bristol directory for pubs, cafes, walks, and more across the city.