The amount of things that you need to carry on a dog walk will depend on you and your dog's needs, it will also depend upon how long the walk will be, what the weather is like and how many dogs you are walking. There are many different types of dog walking bags on the market, here is our guide to help you choose the right one for you.

What different types of dog walking bag are there?

• Cross body bag- these can fit nicely under a coat and have the added security of going around you. Depending on the style these can get in the way a bit when you are bending over to pick up dog poo or to pet your dog.

• Bumbag/fanny pack style- these are easily accessible and lightweight, however they can be a bit of a faff if you are adding or removing layers of clothing during the walk if the weather changes or you get hotter/colder as you walk.

• Small backpack- you will have more room for extras such as dog toys or for a picnic but this is less accessible on your back. It is also more exposed to the elements so really has to be waterproof above all else. This one is probably best for your back or if you need your hands free (if your dog pulls or has issues with other dogs or people for example). 

• Treat Pouches- kind of what it says on the tin, needless to say you will have less room for optional extras and are likely to need to store your personal items like your phone, cash and keys elsewhere. You will also be more limited weight wise as to what you can put in there if you don't want it to pull down on your waist or get in the way as you walk.

• A coat with lots of pockets- the idea of carrying a bag might fill you with horror- if you prefer to be a bit more free and flexible you might just prefer to take the bare minimum with you and to put this in your coat pockets. The only downside is if you want to use your coat for other outings, you might find that the pockets are filled with poo bags and may start to smell of dog treats! See our best coats for dog walkers if this sounds like you. 

Irrespecitve of the style that you go for we would suggest that a really good dog walking bag might also be waterproof or water resistant, be hard wearing, have lots of pockets, mustn't be too bulky, and ideally it needs to be machine washable, comfortable and easily accessible. Things like carabiners or D rings to hang things off of can be useful extras too.

What do I need to carry with me on a dog walk?

A good dog walking bag must be able to hold:

• your phone

• poo bags

• Dog treats

• small amount of cash/card

• Door key

• Torch in winter/dog water bottle in summer

• training clicker

As a first step it is worth thinking about what you normally take with you, what you really need and use a lot, and what you don't really use. Making a list will help you to pick the type of dog walking bag that is most suitable for you. 

What additional things might I need to carry on a longer dog walk?

Again, additional things that you might take will depend on your dog, but this might include a collapsible water bowl, toys, balls, tug toys, snacks, leads and additional treats. 

Here are our top picks of the best bags and packs for dog walking:

Pet Room Dog Treat Pouch Bag

Pet Room Dog Treat Pouch Bag £10.99

This bag includes a poo bag dispenser, dog training clicker, collapsible dog water bowl, adjustable belt and shoulder strap. It is made of good quality fabric and has strong metal clips for hands free use. It can be worn as a shoulder bag, around the waist of attached via the metal clips and has an adjustable toggle on the top to keep its contents dry. There is also a front zip for easy access too. This handy bag also comes with a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with it. The downside is that you can only fit a small water bottle inside, however it comes with so many extras and at a really affordable price it is great for all dog walkers. 

Doog Shoulder Bag

Doog Shoulder Bag £29.99

This bag is stylish enough that it doesn't stand out as a dog walking bag. It also comes in lots of nice colours such as green (pictured), black, blue, grey and polka dot. Our favourite is the blue which is a nice denim shade and so doesn't look out of place with any day to day outfit. It also has a mesh pocket on the side for a water bottle and a couple of pockets inside so that you can keep your personal items separate from your dog walking items for easier access. The downside is that some things might fall out of the bag, it does have a zip inside for valuables and a magnetic clasp but I could certainly see my dog sticking his nose in to get some treats when I am not looking if I left it unattended. There is a small pocket at the front for poo bags. This is the pricier of the options but as above it doesn't stand out as a dog walking bag and so could probably be used for other things too. 

AMZNOVA Dog Treat Pouch

AMZNOVA Dog Treat Pouch £10.99

This pouch attaches to your belt or to a belt that comes with the pouch to fit around your waist. It has sections on the sides for personal items and poo bags. There are also D rings around the edge to hang water bottles or other items like a dog whistle. The pouch comes in black, grey or heather coffee (brown linen look). The pouch aims to have you "hands free", which it does achieve, however you might struggle to fit in additional items, so we would recommend it for short or normal walks but not for really long walks. The other downside is that the pouch is not machine washable. 

Outdoor Paws by Petface Dog Walkers Bum Bag

Outdoor Paws by Petface Dog Walkers Bum Bag £14.99

This product is actually available as an arm band or a bumbag, both with the aim of leaving you hands free whilst you walk your dog. It offers multiple (3) zip up pockets with enough space for all of your belongings. There is a pocket specifically for your phone and personal items so that they are easily accessible and you do not need to juggle them with your dog walking specific items. The product is good quality, especially for the reasonable price. The bum bag is also waterproof and machine washable. 

Huntvp Crossbody Shoulder Sling Backpack

Huntvp Crossbody Shoulder Sling Backpack £16.99

This stylish and simple bag isn't designed specifically with dog walking in mind but it has many of the features that would make it suitable to be a really good dog walking bag. It can be worn across the body (either on the back or across the chest) and would fit underneath a coat if needed, it could also be slung over your shoulder too. It comes with a water bottle holder and has lots of different pockets for treats and dog items, as well as ample space for personal items such as phone, keys and cash. It offers very good value for what you get and would be suitable for other uses too besides dog walking. It has some additional padding on the section that runs along your body making it more comfortable to wear for long periods. It is also available with a USB port so that you can charge your phone on the go using a power bank. 

See also:

Best Coats for Dog Walkers 

Best Walking Shoes for Dog Walkers

Best Pet Cameras for Dog Owners