Dafydd B.
Dafydd B.
Prices include all fees.
Highlights
Pet care experience
A lifetime of loving and caring
Dogs have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in the Welsh countryside in a family with six dogs, mostly Labradors and Alsatians, along with one absolutely crazy crossbreed called Cromwell. We never did quite work out what he was, and he was completely bonkers, but he was also very, very loved! As I got older, I also had the privilege of helping to care for guide dogs, which gave me experience with extremely well-trained working dogs as well as the rather more chaotic variety I’d grown up with! For many years after that, I had Bulldogs of my own. My last two were Blossom and Bertie, who were very much part of our family. Sadly, I lost them both — one to an aggressive skin cancer and the other to heart failure. Blossom made it to the grand old age of 12, which is pretty impressive for a Bulldog! Losing them has left a genuine dog-shaped hole in our home. I now have two young children and, at this stage of our lives, having another dog permanently doesn’t quite work for us. We love travelling and going away together as a family, so we’ve decided to wait before becoming full-time dog owners again. That’s one of the reasons dog sitting and walking feels like such a lovely fit for me. It gives me the chance to have dogs back in my life, whether that’s taking them for a good walk, dropping in to keep them company or caring for them while their owners are away. I’m comfortable around dogs of all shapes, sizes and personalities, and having owned dogs for so much of my life, I understand that they’re not simply pets — they’re part of the family. I’d look after yours with the same care and affection I’ve always given my own.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
I live in a family home in Portslade Village with easy, level access to the front door and a good-sized, completely private and fully fenced garden, giving dogs a safe space to get outside, relax and have a wander. I’m really lucky with the variety of walks on my doorstep. I can head up towards the South Downs, down towards the seafront, or choose from plenty of local parks and quieter routes. Having walked my own dogs around the area for years, I know the local walks extremely well and can vary them depending on a dog’s age, energy levels and what they enjoy. Inside, ours is very much a relaxed, dog-friendly family home. I always make sure there’s fresh water readily available, with bowls around the house so a visiting dog never has to go looking for a drink. And with two young children around, I’m certainly not precious about the occasional splash or bit of mess! Water bowls sometimes get knocked over, muddy paws happen, and there’s always a mop nearby. Dogs are welcome to settle in, get comfortable and feel like part of the household while they’re staying with us. Above all, it’s a clean, safe and welcoming home where I want visiting dogs to feel relaxed, secure and very well looked after.
Ratings and reviews
Daf is an absolute gem of a dog walker, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. We had an older rescue Staffie named Jess, a stubborn 35kg girl with a troubled past who was naturally wary of most folk. Walking her initially was never a simple task, but Daf knew exactly how to handle her with patience, confidence, and the gentleness she needed. He understood her boundaries immediately and built a level of trust with her that very few people ever achieved. Jess went from being cautious to completely adoring him. Just mentioning his name around the house would turn our grumpy 35kg rescue into an excited puppy, bouncing around the living room waiting for him to arrive. If you have a dog that needs extra patience, a calm approach, or specialised understanding(or if you just want someone who will genuinely care for your pet like their own), Daf is the one. We are so grateful for the care he gave Jess!
Daf is amazing with dogs and has looked after my staffy Rufus for us and is our regular dog sitter , there are very few people I trust with my fur babies and he is one of the few, can’t recommend him enough and Rufus loves him ❤️🐶
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Pet care fits really naturally into my day. I’m an early riser and am very happy to start walks, drop-ins or visits from as early as 6am — early mornings definitely aren’t a problem for me! I have two young children, one at school and one at nursery three days a week, so my weekdays already have a fairly structured routine around school drop-offs and pick-ups. Between those times I have plenty of flexibility for dog walks, home visits and spending some proper time with your pet rather than simply rushing in and out. My wife works three longer shifts each week, which can fall on different days, although we always know her rota in advance. On those days I generally need to finish by around 2:30pm to take over with the children. On other days I can be much more flexible, including later visits where needed. My availability can therefore vary slightly from week to week, so it’s always worth asking me — even if a particular time appears unavailable. I’ll always be upfront about what I can and can’t do, and I’ll never accept a booking unless I know I can give your dog the time and attention they deserve.
- 0 to 7 kg7 to 18 kg18 to 45 kgover 45 kgDafydd can host up to 3 drop-ins per day
- Before looking after a new dog, I like to know as much as possible about them so I can keep them happy, safe and comfortable. Every dog has their own personality and little quirks, so please tell me anything you think might help — there’s no such thing as too much information! Things I’d particularly like to know include: * Any medication, medical conditions, allergies or special dietary requirements * Their normal feeding and toilet routine * Any anxieties, fears or things that can make them nervous * Whether they are reactive to other dogs, cats, children, bikes, traffic or anything else * How they normally behave when meeting unfamiliar dogs or people * Whether they have good recall and when they should or shouldn’t be let off the lead * Any history of escaping, bolting or pulling strongly on the lead * Whether they guard food, toys, beds or other possessions * Any history of growling, snapping or biting — I’d always rather know beforehand * What commands and words they’re used to * Their favourite walks, games, toys, treats and, of course, where they like to be stroked! * Anything they’re absolutely not allowed to do, even if they try to convince me otherwise! * Your vet’s details and who I should contact in an emergency Most importantly, tell me what makes your dog your dog. You know them better than anyone, and the more you tell me, the easier it is for me to keep their routine familiar and make sure they feel safe, relaxed and have a great time while they’re with me.
Prices include all fees.