The King's Arms
Dorchester, United Kingdom · 4 Star Hotel
The King's Arms Dog Friendly Review
The King's Arms in Dorchester holds a failing F Roch Rank, a score that will give any dog owner pause before booking, yet the inn itself has a few genuine points in its favour once you look past the numbers. There is no weight or size limit here, so whether you travel with a compact terrier or a substantial retriever you will not be turned away on the grounds of your dog's build. The absence of a damage deposit is also a welcome relief, meaning you are not asked to hand over extra money simply on the assumption that your dog might cause harm. Beyond these two points, however, this is a traditional coaching inn rather than a purpose built dog retreat, and you should temper your expectations accordingly.
Day to day, the practical picture is thin. Only some of the rooms at The King's Arms are set aside for guests travelling with dogs, so you will need to confirm at booking that you have been allocated one of these rather than assuming any room will do. Once settled, your dog cannot be left alone in the room, which means your plans for meals out or sightseeing without your dog in tow will need rethinking, as someone will always have to stay behind. There is no dog bed provided, no bowls for food or water, and no dog food available to buy on site, so you will need to pack all of this yourself. Treats, toys, poop bags and grooming are likewise absent, as is any walking route guidance, so you are left to find your own way and bring your own supplies for the whole stay.
The restrictions extend well beyond the bedroom. Dogs are not welcomed into the bar, the restaurant, the lounge or any terrace or patio, so socialising or dining downstairs with your dog beside you simply is not an option here. There is no garden for your dog to use, no dedicated dog space anywhere on the property, and no green spaces or parks flagged nearby, which makes exercise a matter of your own local knowledge rather than any help from the inn. Staff are not trained for canine guests, there is no dog walking or sitting service, no emergency vet number on hand, and no dog friendly events, activities, awards or media coverage to speak of. This is a stay best suited to an experienced, self sufficient owner with a well behaved dog of any size who needs nothing more than a room and the freedom from a deposit or size restriction. Owners wanting shared spaces, on-site amenities or any support with their dog's needs should look elsewhere.
This hotel does not meet the Roch Dog Friendly Standard. This hotel has been evaluated, ranked and reviewed using the Roch Standard, the world’s first dog friendly standard for the hotel industry. We gathered data directly from the hotel and benchmarked it against thousands of other hotels to accurately and fairly derive its rank.
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This hotel was last certified on 16 September 2026.
The King's Arms With Your Dog · Pet Policy
Is The King's Arms dog friendly?
The King's Arms welcomes dogs, and we have independently assessed and listed it against the Roch Dog Friendly Standard, where it holds a Rank F rating. It does not meet every minimum requirement of the Standard, so it sits below our top-rated dog friendly hotels; the review above explains what a stay is actually like with a dog.
Is there a weight limit for dogs at The King's Arms?
No. The King's Arms has no weight limit, so dogs of every size are welcome. From the smallest lap dog to the largest breed, your dog's size will never stand between you and a room.
Is The King's Arms pet-friendly?
The King's Arms welcomes dogs. We hold no confirmation that it accepts cats or other animals, so check with the hotel before bringing any pet other than a dog. Our independent assessment gives it a Rank F rating.
Are pets allowed at The King's Arms?
Yes. The King's Arms allows dogs to stay. There is no weight limit, so size is not a barrier. Tell the hotel you are travelling with your dog when you book, so they can prepare the right room for you both.
What Roch Dog rank does The King's Arms hold?
The King's Arms holds a Rank F rating from Roch Dog, on our scale of A+ to F. It does not meet every minimum requirement of the Roch Dog Friendly Standard. The rank comes from an independent assessment of the hotel's dog policy, fees, facilities and services, and no hotel can pay to change it.
What is the pet policy at The King's Arms?
The pet policy at The King's Arms covers the essentials: no weight limit. Every detail here comes from the hotel's own independently verified assessment under the Roch Dog Friendly Standard.