A life close to dogs, and to the hills.
Hounds & Hills was founded on a simple idea: dogs deserve more than a lap around the green. They deserve a guide.
"I've spent my working life around animals, and most weekends in the mountains. Hounds & Hills was the only honest way to put those two things together."
The business grew from years inside specialist animal retail and professional dog grooming — the quiet, daily craft of knowing dogs. Different breeds, different temperaments, different households. And alongside it, a personal love of the Wicklow trails: Glendalough at first light, the Spinc in low cloud, the long quiet of the Wicklow Way.
We started Hounds & Hills to offer something a city dog service rarely can: real mountain experiences, scouted routes, and a guide who understands both the animal in front of them and the terrain underfoot.
The background that shapes the work.
- 01Years in specialist animal retail
- 02Professional dog grooming background
- 03Hands-on canine care & behaviour
- 04Hillwalking & navigation experience
- 05Outdoor first aid awareness
- 06Local Wicklow trail knowledge
Trust
Every client receives a clear walk note, photographs from the trail, and an honest read on their dog's day.
Care
Small groups, careful pairing, and a refusal to rush. We never take on more than we can hold attention for.
Place
Routes are scouted personally and chosen for the season — for the wind, the water and the natural curiosity of the hunt.