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Hip Hounds

Pet boarding service · Hutto, TX · reviewed since 2012

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%95+51.8Reliability 24%92+22.3Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%35+2.5Experts Score= 91Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.91SCORE
AGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#32 of 100 pet groomingPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 69%
4.9 ★★★★★ 484 Google reviews · 24 photos
96%five-star reviews
4.97★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0.6%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
63%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Hip Hounds at a glance

Google reviewers rate Hip Hounds 4.9 out of 5 based on 484 reviews, frequently citing live webcam access, regular photo updates, and friendly staff as key benefits for daycare and boarding services. Customers often highlight the facility's cleanliness and the dogs' enjoyment of group playtime. However, low-star reviews describe instances of poor communication, including unanswered messages, and specific safety concerns involving dog injuries or missing animals during stays.

  • Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 484 reviews (96% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 484 Google reviews (411 with written comments, 37 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 63% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 28, 2026.
  • Service: Pet Groomer serving Hutto, Texas.

Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.

Score profile vs other pet grooming

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction95Reliability92Craft & service–Value100Momentum100Replies to reviews35Satisfaction: 95 (median 86)Reliability: 92 (median 82)Value: 100 (median 100)Momentum: 100 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 35 (median 56)
Hip HoundsPet Grooming median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Hip Hounds: 95/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.A
95
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Hip Hounds: 92/100 on this factor. Category median: 82.A
92
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 97.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Hip Hounds: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Hip Hounds: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Hip Hounds: 35/100 on this factor. Category median: 56.D
35

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

484 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars46496%
  • 4 stars92%
  • 3 stars20%
  • 2 stars10%
  • 1 star82%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 411 written reviews

  • Praise41797%
  • Complaints133%

PriceGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.

Price verdicts customers left with their Google review

  • Great price6749%
  • Reasonable6850%
  • Overpriced00%
  • Not sure11%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude15235%
  • Would recommend9522%
  • Honesty & trust5813%
  • Price & value4811%
  • Quality & results379%
  • Speed & response287%
  • Communication123%

What customers talk about

We read 411 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “They were so helpful and really eased our concerns.”
  • “I am so thankful for ya'll and will definitely recommend you and be back in the future!”
    “Can't recommend enough!”
  • “I never once had to worry about his health or safety because I knew I could trust that he was in good hands.”
    “We usually take her to Shady Acres, where we’ve never had any issues, but we decided to try this place because it’s closer.”
  • “He always enjoys the place and the prices are reasonable.”
  • “My girls had a wonderful experience during their evaluation day!”
    “I'd recommend coming here if you seek terrible communication and unaccommodating experience.”
  • “It is very clean when I watch Maya through the cameras if one of the babies goes potty it is immediately attend to.”
    “They took amazing care of him through the years and maintained his many medications when he started to slow down.”
  • “The communication was amazing, I felt extremely comforted and without worry during my trip.”

People customers mention

  • Michael 32 reviews
  • Austin 7 reviews
  • Webcam 5 reviews
  • Aussie 5 reviews
  • Mike 4 reviews
  • Sarah 4 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Reviews for your job

Customers hired Hip Hounds for 3 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.

Recent reviews

LizaLocal Guide · 30 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 days ago★★★★★

I love hip hounds and so does my husky! He comes home tired from all the playtime with the other furbabies. Plus, I love that I can watch him on the cam. That gives me a lot of reassurance that he’s in good hands :) We are definitely returning customers who come for boarding.

Dog boardingDog daycare
Dianne3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 days ago★★★★★

This was our first time boarding our dogs at Hip Hounds and we are definitely coming back! The communication was amazing, I felt extremely comforted and without worry during my trip. I am so thankful for ya'll and will definitely recommend you and be back in the future!

Great priceDog boardingDog daycare
Toni3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 5 days ago★★★★★

We've been sending our dog Brie there since we got her in 2017. Wonderful people and a wonderful place for our pup.

Reasonable priceDog boardingDog daycare
JessicaLocal Guide · 17 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★

My husband and I were going to be out of the country for almost two weeks and needed some last minute help with our puppy, Stanley, since our original plans fell through less than a week before we were supposed to leave. We called Hip Hounds and they were able to get Stanley in for an immediate evaluation. They…

Great priceDog boarding
MaryLocal Guide · 15 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★

Hip Hounds has my vote for best dog boarding facility, hands down! I love that my dog has so much free play time and she isn’t in a kennel for 20 hours a day. My favorite part? The webcams! I get to take a look at what’s going on when she’s there and it always brings a smile to my face. The Hip Hounds crew is amazing and I’m so grateful for what they do!

Customer photo from Mary's review
Reasonable priceDog boarding
London6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★

We used hip hounds for the first time for our dog Waylon for over a week a boarding and he had the time of his life. We loved being able to see him on the cameras during the day and he was always wagging his tail and happy. We will be coming here whenever we go out of town in the future! He also came home smelling clean and fresh from his exit bath!

Reasonable priceDog boarding

Photos

Customer reviews

4.9 ★★★★★ 484 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Ava Garringer1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Ava has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Amazing. I love the little updates and pictures I get of my baby at day care!!

  • Services: Dog daycare
Liza LouszkoLocal Guide · 30 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Liza has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I love hip hounds and so does my husky! He comes home tired from all the playtime with the other furbabies. Plus, I love that I can watch him on the cam. That gives me a lot of reassurance that he’s in good hands :) We are definitely returning customers who come for boarding.

  • Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Dianne Rosillo3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Dianne has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

This was our first time boarding our dogs at Hip Hounds and we are definitely coming back! The communication was amazing, I felt extremely comforted and without worry during my trip. I am so thankful for ya'll and will definitely recommend you and be back in the future!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Toni Burge3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Toni has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We've been sending our dog Brie there since we got her in 2017. Wonderful people and a wonderful place for our pup.

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 6 months ago

Thank you, Toni. Your sweet girl Brie is always a great guest!

Jessica F.Local Guide · 17 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Jessica has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

My husband and I were going to be out of the country for almost two weeks and needed some last minute help with our puppy, Stanley, since our original plans fell through less than a week before we were supposed to leave. We called Hip Hounds and they were able to get Stanley in for an immediate evaluation. They were so helpful and really eased our concerns. I loved watching him play around on the webcam and the photos that we’d get every few days. I never once had to worry about his health or safety because I knew I could trust that he was in good hands. Thank you, Hip Hounds, for taking such good care of our little man! We know he’s not always the easiest (or the quietest) but you handled him with such love and care nonetheless.

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog boarding
Response from the owner · 6 days ago

I'm so glad we could help you out and Stanley did his best to keep the barking to a minimum! Thanks for the great review!

Mary DanielsLocal Guide · 15 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Mary has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Hip Hounds has my vote for best dog boarding facility, hands down! I love that my dog has so much free play time and she isn’t in a kennel for 20 hours a day. My favorite part? The webcams! I get to take a look at what’s going on when she’s there and it always brings a smile to my face. The Hip Hounds crew is amazing and I’m so grateful for what they do!

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog boarding
Response from the owner · 6 days ago

We're always thrilled to see Nugget! Thank you so much for the kind review.

London Kaus6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews London has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We used hip hounds for the first time for our dog Waylon for over a week a boarding and he had the time of his life. We loved being able to see him on the cameras during the day and he was always wagging his tail and happy. We will be coming here whenever we go out of town in the future! He also came home smelling clean and fresh from his exit bath!

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog boarding
Response from the owner · 6 days ago

Thanks for the great review! Glad Waylon had such a good time!

Jenny Cantu12 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Jenny has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Michael was exceptional at making me feel comfortable leaving my Rattie in their care. I love the webcams and the fact that he was not placed in a kennel for the whole time. He played with the other dogs and was truly happier when I picked him up than when I dropped him off!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 6 days ago

Thanks Jenny! So happy we helped you feel at ease and we loved having Beadle with us!

Halea Hayden3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Halea has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Michael and the friendly, caring staff at Hip Hounds have created an exceptional daycare and boarding experience, and our pup always leaves happy. Highly recommend!

  • Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · a week ago

We love having Kiki & really appreciate the review!

Allie Langston10 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Allie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Hip Hounds is a special place you do not find often anymore- any incredibly engaged owner who hires great people that all go above and beyond for their customers. My dogs absolutely love going there. Recently our dog was going through some medical things but we had to board him. Michael spent time talking with me about plans, during their stay sent me updates with photos, and made sure our dog got extra attention at no extra cost. I feel very fortunate we found Hip Hounds because we 100% trust them with our dogs. I’ve recommended them to many friends who also now love taking their dogs there.

Response from the owner · a week ago

Thank you, Allie, I really appreciate the kind words. We love having Bruno & Neville here and are grateful for the referrals. Thank you!!

Hip Hounds on Google Maps →

Business details