Business Details
8 Years
experience
Trusted Small Dog Daycare, Grooming & Boarding in Darlinghurst
At Darlo Dogs, we provide tailored care for small breeds through structured daycare, professional grooming, and home-style boarding. Founded by Dee, a former corporate professional turned master groomer, our team combines expertise in animal behaviour, veterinary qualifications, and decades of hands-on experience. We prioritise safety, individualised attention, and emotional well-being, ensuring every dog feels secure and cherished.Our facilities in Darlinghurst are designed specifically for small dogs, offering a calm, enriching environment free from chaos. With transparent pricing, natural products, and a focus on early socialisation, we help puppies and dogs thrive while giving pet owners peace of mind.
Services
Dog Daycare
Puppy Social Club
Dog Grooming
Small Dog Boarding
Temperament Trials
Nail Trimming
Teeth Cleaning
Flea Treatments
Kennel-Free Care
Vaccination Checks
Details
- Year established: 2018
Highlights and features
- Expert team trained in animal behaviour and first aid for small dogs
- Personalised care based on individual dog personalities and needs
- Structured daycare promoting emotional well-being and social skills
- Cage-free grooming with all-natural shampoos and conditioners
- Home-style boarding designed specifically for small breeds
What people say
Exceptional care
Loved by all
Positive experience
Professional grooming
Visible improvements
Services
Dog Daycare
Structured daycare for small dogs with temperament-matched playgroups, enrichment activities, and supervised rest periods. Promotes social skills, confidence, and balanced energy levels in a safe, cage-free environment. Ideal for puppies and adult dogs needing daily interaction and mental stimulation.
Puppy Social Club
Five-session socialisation program for puppies aged 10-16 weeks. Focuses on confidence building, early grooming exposure, and polite play manners. Includes take-home resources and a tailored introduction to daycare environments for long-term behavioural development.
Dog Grooming
Professional grooming services using natural, hypoallergenic products. Offers full coats, tidy cuts, and hygiene trims for small breeds up to 20kg. Includes nail trimming, teeth cleaning, and anal gland expression with optional daycare add-ons for convenience.
Small Dog Boarding
Kennel-free overnight stays in a home-style setting for small breeds. Includes balanced meals, daily teeth cleaning, and enrichment activities. Provides 24/7 care with emotional support and optional trial nights to ensure comfort for first-time boarders.
Temperament Trials
Three-hour introductory sessions assessing dog suitability for daycare. Evaluates social behaviour and energy levels to ensure safe integration into playgroups. Required for all new dogs to maintain a harmonious environment for staff and existing clients.
People
Dee
Founder
Dee transitioned from corporate life to establish Darlo Dogs, studying under a master groomer. She leads with a focus on creating a safe, enriching environment specifically for small breeds.
Giullia
Veterinarian
A qualified Brazilian veterinarian adding medical expertise to the team. Specialises in small breed care and oversees health protocols for daycare and boarding services.
Lucas
Daycare Specialist
Brings extensive experience in dog daycare operations. Focuses on structured playgroup management and temperament assessments for new clients.
Yasmin
Daycare Team Member
Dedicated to canine well-being with a background in animal behaviour. Assists with daily activities and individualised care plans for shy or anxious dogs.
Celine
Grooming Specialist
Experienced groomer prioritising stress-free sessions using cage-free methods. Specialises in small breed coat maintenance and early grooming introductions for puppies.
Questions
What vaccinations are required for daycare?
Dogs must have C3/C5 and Kennel Cough vaccinations. Puppies need their second vaccination before joining. Titre test results showing immunity are also accepted.
Can I add grooming to a daycare visit?
Yes, grooming can be combined with daycare. Adding grooming to a daycare visit offers discounted rates and allows dogs to transition smoothly between services.
What happens during a temperament trial?
A 3-hour session assessing your dog's behaviour with staff supervision. Evaluates social interaction, energy levels, and suitability for group play to ensure safety for all dogs.
Do you offer overnight boarding for new clients?
Yes, but new dogs require a trial overnight stay first. This $115 trial includes a full daycare day and overnight care to assess comfort levels.
What areas do you service?
We serve Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Paddington, Pyrmont, Surry Hills, and Elizabeth Bay. Most clients come from within a 10km radius of our William Street location.
Reviews (7)
Elizabeth Plummer
Dec 18, 2021
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Would NEVER take my dog here again. The groomers are aggressive.
Whilst my dog was getting groomed, I was watching videos on their Instagram. I noticed in the social media videos that dogs groomed here were aggressively manoeuvred or disciplined in the background. After this, I watched my dog being groomed and the lady was aggressively grabbing his hair under his chin to keep him still. Yes, I understand they dont stay still but a level of gentle force is necessary not aggressive. I approached the lady showing g her the video and what I had just seen for her to say sometimes you can get
Whilst my dog was getting groomed, I was watching videos on their Instagram. I noticed in the social media videos that dogs groomed here were aggressively manoeuvred or disciplined in the background. After this, I watched my dog being groomed and the lady was aggressively grabbing his hair under his chin to keep him still. Yes, I understand they dont stay still but a level of gentle force is necessary not aggressive. I approached the lady showing g her the video and what I had just seen for her to say sometimes you can get
Emma Dimmock
Dec 08, 2021
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Our 7 month old Cavajack Mia has been going to Darlos 1-2 times a week for the last month. Its great for days we know she wont get out for a walk or to go to the park, as well as for her getting used to when we go back to the office. She absolutely loves it! Every time we walk in, shes ready to speed off into the play pen. I love the fact that she gets to socialise & we get to see snippets of that on the Instagram page. Pricing is definitely competitive compared to quite a few near us & I feel better about her being here than some of the other spots in the City/Sydney area as the team is
Olivia
Oct 25, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability,Responsiveness,Value
Couldn't recommend higher! Fritz loves his day care days @Darlo Dogs. He is genuinely excited to arrive each morning and I can rest easy knowing he is in great hands. Darlo Dogs has shaped him into a well socialized & confidant little dog. Such a lovely team of carers.
Couldn't recommend higher! Fritz loves his day care days @Darlo Dogs. He is genuinely excited to arrive each morning and I can rest easy knowing he is in great hands. Darlo Dogs has shaped him into a well socialized & confidant little dog. Such a lovely team of carers.
Jana Jevcakova
Oct 18, 2021
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I absolutely recommend Darlo Dogs for your fur baby. My dachshund Noodle goes to Darlo doggy day care 2-4 times and this place is one of a very few where I feel comfortable leaving him at. Noodle's tail starts wagging when we're at the door and he runs toward Jacqui, Dee, Sian or Taylor who are all lovely, helpful and very professional. They also post pictures and videos of the doggos playing with one another so you can see what yours was up to during the day. I love that they only accept dogs of a certain size and nature to keep the place safe and enjoyable for your puppy. The place is always
Rebecca Scullion
Oct 16, 2021
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My Little Ruby has been going to Dee and the team at Darlo since she was 16 weeks old and continues to go to this day. She gets so excited as she comes up to what we affectionately call school. It is such a great little community and both Ruby and I have made great fur and hooman friends. The team have always been on hand for advise for training , behaviour and just any dog related questions ( me every week!). It really is such a happy place and cant fault them.
Anna Hynek
Oct 11, 2021
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Darlodogs provide excellent and knowledgeable care for my cavoodle Bonnie, who has been going to daycare and grooming there since she was a puppy. Theyve helped train her and help me with all sorts of questions, including different grooming style options. Bonnie literally bounces on her way there in the morning and is well socialised at the end of the day. The staff are all very caring and treat the dogs as if they were their own. I know and trust that Bonnie is in good hands with Darlodogs. Photo of happy Bonnie at Darlodogs.
Darryl Toohey
Oct 06, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Otis has been going to Darlo dogs for his whole life with us (8mths so far). He loves going and I know this is one of the big highlights of his week..:)
Dee and the girls do a fabulous job of looking after our fur baby when hes in their care!
Otis has been going to Darlo dogs for his whole life with us (8mths so far). He loves going and I know this is one of the big highlights of his week..:)
Dee and the girls do a fabulous job of looking after our fur baby when hes in their care!
