I don't like all dogs, I'm a bit fussy. It isn't really down to how well they are groomed, but how…read moreplacid they are. I like big, quiet, soft dogs. Still, I do understand all about wanting to look your best, doggies. So here's the place for you. Woof, woof. Like all the best style icons, this grooming company was founded in tres chic France and now lives in Whitchurch, Cardiff. Absolutely Woof has many years experience in the Professional Dog Grooming sector, and provides expert dog care to its customers. They have a fully equipped salon and friendly staff. If you want to keep your dogs happy and healthy, and minimize vet bliss, get them along here for a spruce up. They'll cut away dead hair, clean eyes and ears and file nails. You never know, they might fit you in too. Then you really can resemble your pet. Delightful.

Animaltastic is another dog home boarding service in Cardiff that seems to offer a good, reliable…read moreand fully insured, police checked service - and they're even trained in doggie first aid, apparently! Miriam is clearly a genuine animal lover herself, and you know when you leave your dog with her that it's going to get fussed over and loved, and given a real holiday of its own. She offers a dog sitting service either in your home or in her own, depending on availability - as well as dog walking services, cat feeding visits, and drop-in care of small animals at your own home. Animaltastic are also happy to work with elderly pets or those that need medication, and are used to administering tablets and so on, which is reassuring if your pet has special needs!

If you come to Cardiff and need somewhere for your pets to stay; either if you come to visit…read moreCardiff and the place you stay does not allow you to have animals stay with them or you're deciding to move to Cardiff and when you do, you'll perhaps need some where for your animals to stay? Then this is the place to go... It is a neat smaller Boarding Centre and it's quite a way out in Cardiff; situated in the area of Pontprennau, not far from the shopping supermarket known as Asda, St Mellon's Road, and Parkwall Road. The do allow; dogs, cats, and small pets such as; rabbits and caged pets. The building is a very neat little place, and it is very friendly place and they take great care of your pets, to perfect perfection... We take my cat there and he always comes back freshly washed and clean and he looks like he's been fully fed. The prices vary due to the size of your pet and then per day for really reasonable prices I'd say they're all nearly all under a £20. I recommend to all pet owners. If you want to email them contact them on: BoaringCentre@AOL.com

The family behind the Boarding Centre near leafy Lisvane have been in the pet business since 1928,…read moreso your animals are in experienced hands if they stay there. Located in a green area on the edge of the city, the centre has plenty of spacious paddocks for exercising the dogs that are boarding there, and those that are sociable get the chance to play with others. I prefer to leave my dog in home boarding elsewhere, because I don't think she's of a sturdy enough disposition to cope with the noise and stresses of kennels! But if you do leave your dog in kennels, this one at leat has good exercise paddocks and an emphasis on socialising the dogs when it's possible. For cats, the centre's indoor chalet accommodation (!) is positioned well away from the kennels so that the feline boarders aren't deafened by their barking neighbourings throughout their stay. Then for smaller pets such as rabbits, there are hutches also positioned well away from the kennels and they supply the food for you as part of the overall rate - although you can take along treats or specialised food for your pet as well. They can also cater for caged pets such as birds, rats, hamsters and chinchillas.

It's not always easy to find someone to walk your dog when you're out at work, because each…read moreprofessional dog walker can only squeeze into their schedule a limited number of dogs each day. There always seems to be a shortage of reliable people offering the service, mainly because those that set up often don't survive long on the money it earns them. Michelle is another friendly and reliable Cardiff pet sitter and dog walker covering the following areas of Cardiff: Birchgrove, Cathays, Cyncoed, Gabalfa, Heath, Lakeside, Lisvane, LLandaff, Llandaff North, Llanedeyrn, Llanishen, Mynachdy, Pantmawr, Pentwyn, Penylan, Pontcanna, Pontprennau, Rhiwbina, Roath, Rudry, St Mellons, Thornhill, and Whitchurch. Michelle will pick up your dog and take it out to a local park. She will check your dog's water at the same time, clear up any accidents, and administer oral medications, if necessary. Her prices are very reasonable, costing from £7.50 upwards for a 60 minute group walk - although if you live more than 4 miles from their base in Thornhill she will add on mileage costs.

Well, what can you say about Royvon...For a start it has a dog hotel! Literally your pooches…read moreslumber in their very own boutique accommodation! So, if your like me and hate leaving your dog (tears/wailing/performing as puppy waggles off for her holiday!) here really is the place to bring he or she. Established in 1959, Royvon has had many years to establish itself as the industry leader in all aspects of Dog Behaviour Training, and boy does it do that! Their Dog Training Schools offer a wide range of Dog Training services including Residential Dog Training (They will actually train your dog in the Boarding Kennels whilst you are on holiday), Puppy Training Classes, Dog Obedience Training and Targeted Dog Behaviour Training for breed specific obedience or training problems. They are even on offer to just have a chat about your mut. All in all the perfect dog kennels, this place even comes with a 100% recommendation...beat that suckers!

I love going on holiday abroad, but I always worry about leaving my dog in someone else's care…read more She's way too spoilt to be holed up in kennels for a week, so I always opt for home boarding where she can enjoy home comforts, company, and plenty of fuss. I've tried a few different places since I got her, not because I've been unhappy with any of them but simply because some I've used previously have been fully booked when I've called them again, so I've had to find alternatives. Helen's 'home from home' boarding is properly licensed by Cardiff County Council and owners who leave their dog in her care can receive text or email updates about their pet's stay, if they want. Helen doesn't accept dogs with any aggression, so you don't need to worry about your pooch being bullied during their holiday. And she herself loves dogs, so you know they're going to get plenty of attention. It's not the cheapest place to board your dog, of course - the charges are generally £20 per dog per day - but I think it's worth the cost to have peace of mind that your dog is also enjoying a holiday of its own while you're off sunning yourself! Helen seems to genuinely love dogs and when you go to pick your hound up after your holiday they seem happy and balanced, albeit pleased to see their real pack leader back!

Happydogs Home Boarding is very reasonably priced from around £15 per day (£25 per day for 2 dogs),…read morebut it isn't quite as convenient for Cardiff residents as some other dog boarding options because it's based in Taffs Well. If you have a car, however, it's really not very far outside of the city - just about a 15 minute drive from the centre, when the traffic's good - and they are surrounded by countryside in which they can walk your dog while you're away. What's put me off using this business is the fact that the owner Tracy doesn't board all dogs herself - instead she has built up a small network of experienced dog lovers who are able to take pets into their homes and offer them their usual home comforts. Personally, however, I'd prefer to know exactly who my dog is staying with and get to meet them first, rather than going through an 'agent' who then places my dog in an available home. Also, when you visit the 'Carers' page on the website, the photos look like stock photos rather than pictures of real carers, which doesn't have that personal touch. On the other hand, I do know of two dog owners who have gone through this dog boarding business and their dogs have enjoyed really good breaks, so it definitely seems to deserve a few stars. The carers will happily stick with your dog's normal daily routine as close as possible so there's minimal disruption, and they'll cater for some special needs.

Waggy Tails is a mobile hairdressers for pets! The Cardiff grooming service caters for the bathing…read moreand clipping needs of small to medium sized dogs in the comfort of their own home in the local area. It is a particularly convenient service for older clients and for those who do not drive. For their working clients, having the opportunity to have their dog groomed in the evening or at the weekend is more convenient than just during the standard office hours where they would need to take time off to make appointments. For puppies, nervous or older dogs being groomed in their own home makes them feel more safe and comfortable than in the strange environment of a grooming parlour. Dogs are brushed, bathed and if required clipped in the comfort of their own home. Waggy Tails bring their towels and equipment with them. They need you to provide a space for them to set up their table close to a power socket and for them to be able to use your sink/shower/bath to bathe your dog.