AVLtoday intern Jordan Puckett is an Asheville native, recent University of Tennessee graduate + lover of all things outdoors, brews + eats.
While we may always want to be together, it’s simply not possible for our dogs to be with us at all times. Fortunately, Asheville offers a slew of doggie day care spots with attentive staff + interactive experiences so your pooch can have a ball while you’re apart, literally. With everything from webcams to camp cabins and swimming pools, Asheville’s love for dogs shines. No wonder we’ve been called Dog City, USA. And coming this fall, dog bars will be another place you + your dog can hang out, enjoy a brew, and relax. Read on for resources for your four-legged BFF.
Doggie Day Care
At Play With Sparky, 542 Short McDowell St. | $25 Full Day | With games of soccer, fetch + frisbee in their large indoor + outdoor playrooms, your pup will have a blast. Groups are based on dogs’ size + age and also feature activities for older or less active dogs.
Barkmore Park, 10 Hemphill Rd. | $25 Full Day | From planned daily activities, a splash pad + paw pool, and interactive equipment with indoor + outdoor play yards, your pooch will have a blast. Plus, live webcams let you check in on your furkid while you’re apart.
Camp Bow Wow, 5 Airport Rd., Arden | $18 Half Day, $29 Full Day | Camp Bow Wow offers spacious play areas, safety measures with pet CPR + first aid trained staff, and live webcams. Even cooler, the play yards are climate controlled.
Dog House Doggie Daycare, 1054 Riverside Dr. | $14 Half Day, $22 Full Day | This locally owned + operated spot doggie daycare lets pups play on their own, with another dog, or as part of a group. They also have a special area for dogs who need a slower pace.
Happy Tails Country Club, 1164 Sand Hill Rd., Candler + 1984 Cane Creek Rd., Fletcher | $15 Half Day, $29 Full Day | With a certified dog trainer on site, Fido can play and learn a new trick or two. Pups have access to both indoor + outdoor play areas with fun + engaging play equipment to stimulate their bodies and minds.
Mills River Dog Camp, 2530 Butler Bridge Rd., Mills River | $22 Half Day, $30 Full Day | This camp is divided into three play areas, and each has its own camp counselor + climate-controlled cabin. Campers have a low dog-to-staff ratio to increase personal connection, engagement, and belly rubs.
Pampered Pets, 1318 Eliada Home Rd. | $18 Half Day, $25 Full Day | Did someone say dedicated snack time? Dogs will be able to snack + rest daily from 12-2 p.m. while staff supervise. Plus, they offer an outdoor playset + kiddie pool and have on-site grooming + dog massage services.
Pet Vet On Patton, 2 Hansel Ave. | $20 Full Day | This veterinary clinic also offers a daycare with three large, gated outdoor spaces and two indoor playrooms with a variety of opportunities for fun, including pools and outdoor playsets. Dogs are separated into groups based on their energy level + size and are supervised by the Pet Vet staff.
The Woof Lodge, 78 Old Shoals Rd., Arden | $23 Full Day | Here, groups are based on size + personality, allowing your dog to safely mingle and play in two large climate-controlled indoor playrooms and three outside play areas.
VIP Pet Resorts, 565 Long Shoals Road, Unit #201 + 900 West Chapel Rd. | $20 Half Day, $28 Full Day | You won’t see any chain link or gravel here. Small + large dog group daycare pups enjoy playing alongside smooth steel fencing and on artificial turf before relaxing on elevated + orthopedic Kuranda cot-style beds.
You Work, I’ll Play, 677A Brevard Rd. | $21 Half Day, $31 Full Day | Placed in groups by age, mobility, size + sociability, dogs have access to both indoor + outdoor play, as well as relaxation areas with beds, crates, and even radios. Training is also available at an additional price.
Dog Friendly Bars
Wagbar, 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville | Membership Pricing | Wagbar offers a 25,000-square-foot off leash dog park + bar. Memberships are required to experience food + beverages while your dog enjoys supervised playtime.
Down Dog Dog Bar + Yoga Studio, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd.| Single Yoga Class + Dog Watch $15 | Here, you can twist, bend, and flow your way to relaxation while your pup hangs out with trained staff. The bar features a variety of beers, wines + kombuchas on tap, as well as with games for humans + play areas for your dog. Follow them here to find out when they will officially open.
Did we leave off your favorite area doggie daycare? Be sure to drop them in the comments below. ⬇️
