Big Friendly Dog

About

Where it all began..

Big Friendly Dog began with Cobra, our beautiful Malamute. A true gentle giant, Cobra opened our eyes to the misunderstandings surrounding larger breeds and sparked our passion for working with dogs full-time.

Although Cobra is no longer with us, his spirit lives on as the heart and face of Big Friendly Dog. Our experience with him shaped everything we do today—from safe handling to deep behavioral understanding.

Whether your dog is big or small, nervous or confident, they are treated with patience, respect, and genuine care. 

Mission

At Big Friendly Dog, our mission is to provide reliable, compassionate, and professional dog care and training that puts each dog’s wellbeing first.

Since our inception, we have grown from trusted dog walkers into a full-service offering, including one-to-one training, home boarding, and now the launch of our adventure grounds.

This journey reflects our commitment to continuously improving the lives of dogs and their owners.

Inspired by our story with Cobra, we challenge misconceptions around all breeds, especially larger dogs, and promote positive, practical training methods that build confidence, trust and lasting bonds.

Whether your dog is big or small, nervous or confident, we are here to support them every step of the way

Vision

Our vision is to become a leading, community-driven dog care and training brand, known for trust, knowledge and genuine care. We are building more than a service, we are creating a space where dogs can learn, explore and thrive.

With the introduction of our adventure grounds and continued expansion of our training and care services, we aim to offer dogs enriching experiences while giving owners complete peace of mind.

Looking ahead, we strive to grow Big Friendly Dog into a name people believe in, a brand that sets the standard for modern dog care, supports owners at every stage and champions a better understanding of dogs everywhere. 

Meet Our Team

Becca
Founder & Owner

I founded this business out of a lifelong passion for animals and a strong belief that dogs deserve care that feels like home.

I’m dedicated to making every dog feel safe, loved, and part of the family.

As a fully licensed and insured home boarder and professional dog walker and trainer, I pride myself on offering a calm, structured, and enriching environment, with the want to grow and develop the business, for example recently creating new adventure grounds within the area.

I’ve completed canine first aid training and regularly update my knowledge on canine behaviour and welfare to provide the best care possible.

When your dog stays with us, they’re treated like one of my own with plenty of playtime, cuddles, and personalised attention. Whether it’s a nervous rescue, a high-energy pup, or a senior needing a little extra TLC, I work closely with each owner to ensure their dog’s individual needs are met. 

Chris
Co-founder

Chris is an essential part of Big Friendly Dog, sharing my passion for dogs, and his attentive care ensures that your pets feel safe, loved, and well-looked-after while in our care. With a deep love for animals and a hands-on approach to care, he works alongside me to provide a safe, structured, and loving home environment for every dog that stays with us. Chris ensures that each dog feels comfortable, secure, and engaged. Whether it’s joining in on countryside walks, managing feeding routines, or simply relaxing in the garden with our four-legged guests, he plays a key role in making each stay feel like home. Together, we’ve created a calm, friendly atmosphere that dogs settle into quickly and owners appreciate for its reliability and personal touch. 

Meet Buddy
Our Resident Dog

Meet Buddy, our very own big and friendly Labrador cross New Zealand Sheepdog.

He loves having new friends around and is great with dogs of all sizes and personalities! He was introduced to other dogs as soon as he could be and has such a caring nature who knows how to read other dogs very well and we love showing off his tricks, just as much as he loves performing!