The Dog Friendly Venue
Revenue Guide
How to attract and retain dog owners to your restaurant, cafe, pub, or bar
Dog owners represent one of the UK's most valuable and loyal customer segments - what industry insiders call the "Hound Pound."
With 13.5 million dogs across the UK and London leading as the nation's "pet capital" with 46% of households owning a dog, this demographic is not just large - it's lucrative.
The opportunity: Dog owners spend 12-18% more per visit than non-dog owners, and 49% state they would spend even more at a pet-friendly establishment. Better yet, 35% refuse to dine at venues that aren't dog friendly, even if recommended.
The primary friction? Uncertainty. "Am I actually welcome, or just tolerated?"
This guide will show you how to shift from "Dogs Allowed" (passive) to "Dogs Welcomed" (active), capture this high-value market, improve your ranking on Dog Friendly Finder, and turn dog owners into your most loyal customers.
The Market Opportunity
The Numbers Don't Lie
UK Dog Ownership:
- 13.5 million dogs in the UK (PDSA PAW Report 2024)
- London is the UK's "pet capital": 46% of households own a dog
- 42% of new dog owners take their dog with them every time they socialise
Search Demand:
Dog owners are actively searching for venues like yours, and searches have exploded:
- "dog friendly pubs near me" - 27,100 monthly searches (UK)
- "dog friendly restaurants near me" - 14,800 monthly searches
- "dog friendly cafes near me" - 6,600 monthly searches
- Overall, searches for "dog friendly restaurants" have risen 1,166% in the last decade
(Source: Semrush UK keyword data, November 2025)
Economic Impact:
- UK pet care market: Over £10 billion annually
- Dog owners spend 12-18% more per visit at dog friendly venues
- 49% would spend even more if a venue is pet-friendly
- 35% refuse to dine at non-dog friendly venues, even if recommended
- Venues actively marketing to dog owners report 20-50% revenue increases
Why Dog Owners Are Valuable Customers
The "Hound Pound" is a tangible economic force:
- Higher Spending: 12-18% more per visit, and 49% would spend even more at truly welcoming venues
- Higher Frequency: 42% of new dog owners bring their dog everywhere - that's weekly visits instead of monthly
- Higher Loyalty: 35% refuse to go to non-dog friendly venues. Once they find you, they're yours
- Less Price-Sensitive: They prioritise experience over cost when their dog is welcome
- Free Marketing: Dog content is viral gold on Instagram, TikTok, and in local dog-owner communities
- Off-Peak Traffic: They fill tables during quieter times (weekday afternoons, mornings)
What Dog Owners Actually Want
Based on industry research, thousands of venue reviews, and surveys of UK dog owners, here are their top priorities - and pain points:
48%
Uncertainty
"Am I welcome, or just tolerated?"
43%
Comfort
Tight spaces, loud noises, lack of shade
30%
Hydration
Having to beg for a water bowl
Essential Amenities (Must-Haves)
Water Bowls
The #1 most mentioned feature in positive reviews. Costs £10-20 for reusable bowls. Impact: +0.5 DFF score
Indoor Seating (or Covered Outdoor)
The biggest differentiator. "Outdoor only" is a non-starter in winter/rain. Impact: +1.2 DFF score, significantly higher footfall year-round
Staff Who Love Dogs
#1 factor in 5-star reviews. Staff greeting dogs by name, offering treats, being friendly. Impact: Drives repeat visits more than any other factor
The Framework: Dogs Allowed vs Dogs Welcomed
Most London venues are stuck at "Dogs Allowed" (passive). The revenue and loyalty gains happen when you move to "Dogs Welcomed" (active).
Here's the tiered framework. Most venues are at Bronze. The viral visibility and revenue jumps happen at Silver and Gold.
BRONZE: "Dogs Tolerated"
Policy: Dogs allowed in specific areas (usually bar/garden only)
Customer Experience: Fine for a quick pint, but won't attract "destination" diners. Dog owners feel like they're being tolerated, not celebrated.
Revenue Impact: Minimal. You get some dog owner traffic, but they don't become regulars.
SILVER: "Dogs Welcomed"
Policy: Dogs allowed INSIDE the venue (at least in bar/lounge areas)
Why this matters: This is the single biggest factor for London dog owners. "Outdoor only" policies exclude 60%+ of potential dog owner visits due to UK weather.
Customer Experience: Dog owners feel genuinely welcome. They relax, stay longer, spend more.
Revenue Impact: 20-30% increase from dog owner segment. Higher frequency, longer stays, positive reviews.
GOLD: "Dogs Celebrated"
Policy: Dogs are treated as valued guests, not an afterthought
Amenities: Dog menu ("Puppuccinos," dog ice cream), dog beds/blankets, water at every table, dog friendly events ("Yappy Hour")
Customer Experience: Dog owners rave about you. They bring friends. They post on social media. They become weekly regulars.
Revenue Impact: 40-50% increase from dog owner segment. Viral social media growth. Destination status in local dog owner community.
Moving from Bronze → Silver requires minimal investment but delivers outsized returns. Moving from Silver → Gold is optional but creates true differentiation.
How the DFF Score Works (And How to Improve Yours)
Dog Friendly Finder uses a proprietary algorithm to rank venues on 5 key factors. Understanding this helps you optimise your listing.
DFF Score Breakdown (out of 10)
1. Dog Friendliness (40% of Total)
What We Measure:
- • Water bowls available? (+1.0 points)
- • Outdoor seating? (+0.8 points)
- • Dog treats/menu? (+0.6 points)
- • Dogs mentioned positively in reviews? (+0.5 points)
- • Dog friendly signage or website info? (+0.4 points)
How to Improve:
- ✓ Add water bowls (easiest win)
- ✓ Promote outdoor space on Google and your website
- ✓ Train staff to greet and welcome dogs
- ✓ Add "dog friendly" to your Google Business description
- ✓ Share dog friendly content on Instagram
2. Food Quality (25%)
Google rating (4.5+ stars), positive food mentions, menu quality
Improve: Maintain high ratings, respond to reviews, highlight quality ingredients
3. Service (15%)
Reviews mentioning "friendly staff," "welcoming," "great service"
Improve: Train staff on dog etiquette, respond warmly to reviews
4. Atmosphere (12%)
Indoor/outdoor ambiance, comfortable seating, relaxed vibe
Improve: Update Google photos, ensure space for dogs under tables
5. Value (8%)
Price range relative to quality, perceived value in reviews
Improve: Price fairly, offer free dog treats (huge perceived value)
Quick Wins: Actionable Steps to Rank Higher
Here are the highest-impact, lowest-effort changes you can make:
Immediate Wins (Do This Week)
Allow Dogs Inside (Policy Change)
£0 cost, huge impact. Even if just the bar area. Impact: Unlocks 60%+ more visits year-round
Add Water Bowls
30 minutes, £15 cost. Buy 2-3 stainless steel bowls. Impact: +0.5 DFF score, instant positive reviews
Update Google Business Profile
15 minutes, free. Add "dog friendly" + upload 3-5 photos of dogs. Impact: +0.3 DFF score, more discovery
Train Staff on Dog Greeting
30 minutes, free. "What's your dog's name?" + bring water to table. Impact: #1 driver of 5-star reviews and repeat visits
Medium-Effort Wins (Do This Month)
Create Instagram-Worthy Moments
Dog menu board, cute signage, photo-friendly space
Cost: £20-50 | Time: 2 hours
Add Dog Friendly Info to Website
Clear page listing amenities, photos of happy dogs
Cost: Free | Time: 1 hour
Encourage Dog Friendly Reviews
"If you enjoyed bringing [name], we'd love a review!"
Impact: +0.4 DFF score, better Google rankings
Respond to Dog-Mentioning Reviews
Shows you care, builds community
Cost: Free | Time: Ongoing
Long-Term Wins (Next 3-6 Months)
- Invest in Covered Outdoor Space: Heaters, awnings (£500-£5,000). Turns seasonal space into year-round revenue. +0.8 DFF score, 20-30% revenue increase
- Launch a Dog Menu: Free puppuccinos or £3-5 treats (£50/month). Massive social shares, repeat visits
- Host Dog Friendly Events: "Yappy Hour," dog birthday parties (quarterly). Community building, PR, new customer acquisition
Seasonal Strategies for Dog Friendly Venues
Dog owners' needs change with the seasons. Here's how to stay relevant year-round:
Winter (Oct-Feb)
Challenge: Cold, wet weather
✓ Allow dogs inside (THE solution)
✓ Covered outdoor space with heaters
✓ Warm dog treats
Impact: Zero winter revenue drop vs 40-60% drop for "outdoor only"
Spring (Mar-May)
Opportunity: Peak dog walking season
✓ Refresh outdoor space
✓ Spring-themed dog menu
✓ Partner with local dog events
Marketing: "Spring has sprung - bring your pup!"
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Opportunity: Most dog owner traffic
✓ Shade and extra water (essential)
✓ Dog ice cream (huge Instagram hit)
✓ Extended outdoor hours
Caution: Watch for hot pavement - provide shaded areas
Autumn (Sep-Oct)
Opportunity: maximise outdoor time before winter
✓ Harvest-themed dog treats
✓ Prepare for winter (install heaters)
✓ "Last chance outdoor dining" marketing
The ROI of Being Dog Friendly
Expected Results:
- • 15-25 additional dog-owner visits per week
- • £25-40 average spend per visit (12-18% higher)
- • Annual revenue increase: £19,500-£52,000
Investment:
- • Allow dogs inside: £0
- • Water bowls: £20
- • Dog treats: £360/year
- • Staff training: Free (2 hours)
- • Covered outdoor improvements: £500-£2,000 (optional)
- • Total Year 1 Cost: £380-£2,380
(Based on industry data showing 20-50% revenue increases)
How Dog Friendly Finder Featured Listings Work
We offer Featured placement for venues serious about attracting dog owners.
Top of Search Results
Your venue appears above non-featured listings with priority placement in neighbourhood searches
5-10x More Visibility
Featured venues get 5-10x more profile views, more clicks to your website, more bookings
Featured Badge
Clear "Featured" badge signals quality and commitment to dog friendly experience
Lock in £20/month FOREVER (limited to first 50 venues)
Quick ROI Calculation:
Featured costs £20/month = £0.67/day. If Featured brings you 1 additional dog-owner visit per week (£30 average spend), that's £120/month revenue. ROI: 600%
Most Featured venues report 3-5 additional visits per week, making this one of the highest-ROI marketing spends for dog friendly venues.
Non-Financial Benefits of Featured
Higher Google Ratings
Dog owners leave more detailed, positive reviews. Better ratings = more organic discovery
Free Marketing
Dog Instagram accounts tag your venue. Word-of-mouth in dog owner communities
Community Loyalty
Dog owners become regulars (weekly visits). Lower customer acquisition cost
Fill Off-Peak Times
Dog owners visit weekday mornings/afternoons. Smooth out revenue throughout the week
Ready to Get Started?
Already listed on Dog Friendly Finder? Claim your venue to verify ownership and manage your listing. Or go Featured (£20/month) for 5-10x more visibility, priority placement, and instant self-service updates.
Questions? Email us at hello@dogfriendlyfinder.com
Legal Compliance
Important: There is no law in the UK banning dogs from restaurants or pubs. The only legal restriction is that dogs cannot enter food preparation areas (kitchens/store rooms). You have full discretion to welcome dogs into dining areas.
Last updated: November 2025 • Published by Dog Friendly Finder