Experts Reviews · 2026 Ratings

The Best Pet Boarding Facilities in Virginia

We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.

—typical jobMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).
98%say the price was fairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.
4.79★average ratingPlain average of every Google star rating we collected for these companies.
3.2%bad jobs (1–2★, 2 yrs)Share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.

From 22,583 Google reviews of 74 top-rated pet boarding facilities nationwide; 10 of them in Virginia. Updated November 1, 2026.

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Best pet boarding facilities in Virginia for dog grooming

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1The Ruff House Stay & Play at Bayside logoThe Ruff House Stay & Play at Bayside★ 5.00 on this job21 jobs reviewedHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Dog grooming”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%21Overall Experts Score 20%73Job match= 90Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.79★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.90
2Camp Bow Wow Virginia Beach logoCamp Bow Wow Virginia Beach★ 4.94 on this job18 jobs reviewedHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Dog grooming”:Stars on this job 55%4.94★Number of such jobs 25%18Overall Experts Score 20%92Job match= 89Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.79★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.89
3Port Rover logoPort Rover★ 5.00 on this job11 jobs reviewedHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Dog grooming”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%11Overall Experts Score 20%94Job match= 87Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.79★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.87
4Holly Ridge Manor Canine Country Club logoHolly Ridge Manor Canine Country Club★ 5.00 on this job12 jobs reviewedHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Dog grooming”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%12Overall Experts Score 20%78Job match= 85Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.79★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.85
5The Ruff House Stay & Play at Greenbrier logoThe Ruff House Stay & Play at Greenbrier★ 5.00 on this job8 jobs reviewedHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Dog grooming”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%8Overall Experts Score 20%87Job match= 82Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.79★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.82

Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Dog grooming” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.

What customers said about dog grooming

Max4 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. · 5 days ago★★★★★
The Ruff House Stay & Play at Bayside logoThe Ruff House Stay & Play at Bay…

The ladies at the front desk were super sweet along with the lady who took my (very anxious) dog. Super clean and very cute inside. My dog came back happy as ever. They also gave him a bath and he came back smelling very nice. Very satisfied with my choice of dog boarding and grooming

Reasonable priceDog groomingDog boarding
CherylLocal Guide · 18 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★★★★★
Camp Bow Wow Virginia Beach logoCamp Bow Wow Virginia Beach

The staff are wonderful. The place is clean. My dog gets so excited to go to Camp. She loved her time during Thanksgiving too!

Dog groomingDog boardingDog daycare
Sue10 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 4 weeks ago★★★★★
Holly Ridge Manor Canine Country Club logoHolly Ridge Manor Canine Country …

Bella has enjoyed her time at Holly Ridge and we love the staff’s customer service and attention to every detail especially when it comes to our girl! They always respond to my emails checking up on her. I love getting a report card too! Nice added touch!

Reasonable priceDog groomingDog boarding
Debbie9 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 a month ago★★★★★
The Ruff House Stay & Play at Greenbrier logoThe Ruff House Stay & Play at Gre…

Patches always has a good time at Ruff House. The people working at Ruff House obviously love their work and I know I will be comfortable boarding Patches in their clean and beautiful facility!

Customer photo from Debbie's review
Great priceDog groomingDog boarding
Maria1 reviewTotal 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 month ago★★★★★
Port Rover logoPort Rover

Today was our first time utilizing Port Rover for their grooming services. Drop off went smoothly and she was finished much quicker than I anticipated (with a cute picture and report card uploaded to the portal upon completion). She hates getting her nails trimmed, so, I was impressed with how close they were able…

Customer photo from Maria's review
Reasonable priceDog grooming
WALLACELocal Guide · 11 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★★★★★
The Ruff House Stay & Play at Bayside logoThe Ruff House Stay & Play at Bay…

We needed a safe and loving place for our dogs. They are kinda grumpy and fearful at times. We got them back after being there for almost a week happy and kinda sad to be going home🤩. Our senior dogs were loved on, played with and bathed. So would recommend and in fact they are already going back. Love all the…

Great priceDog groomingDog boarding

Overall ratings

Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of pet boarding facilities).

#CompanyScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown.FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-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.Reliability (24%): How 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.Craft & service (0%): Google 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.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises 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.Replies to reviews (7%): How 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.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20.★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps.Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
1Dappy Dayz Dogs Doggie Daycare logoDappy Dayz Dogs Doggie DaycareNorfolk, VAA 98How 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 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AAAAA–5.00—
2Claudia's Dogs - Doggy Daycare & Boarding logoClaudia's Dogs - Doggy Daycare & BoardingNorfolk, VAA 98How 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 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AAAAA–5.00—
3Port Rover logoPort RoverNorfolk, VAA 94How 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%93+50.7Reliability 24%97+23.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%85+6Experts Score= 94Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA–AAA4.94—
4Camp Bow Wow Virginia Beach logoCamp Bow Wow Virginia BeachNorfolk, VAA 92How 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%92+50.2Reliability 24%89+21.6Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%91+6.4Experts Score= 92Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA–AAA4.90—
5The Ruff House Stay & Play at Greenbrier logoThe Ruff House Stay & Play at GreenbrierNorfolk, VAA 87How 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%89+48.5Reliability 24%86+20.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%49+3.5Craft & service penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 87Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AAAAAC4.87—
6Obedient Paws logoObedient PawsNorfolk, VAA 86How 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%90+49.1Reliability 24%91+22.1Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%47+3.3Craft & service penalty77−2.3Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AABAAC4.90—
7K9Aholics Dog Training logoK9Aholics Dog TrainingNorfolk, VAA 82How 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%86+46.9Reliability 24%81+19.6Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%56+4Momentum penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 82Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AAAABC4.88—
8Holly Ridge Manor Canine Country Club logoHolly Ridge Manor Canine Country ClubNorfolk, VAB 78How 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%81+44.2Reliability 24%69+16.7Value 14%90+12.7Replies to reviews 7%59+4.2Experts Score= 78Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AB–AAC4.71—
9The Ruff House Stay & Play at Bayside logoThe Ruff House Stay & Play at BaysideNorfolk, VAB 73How 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%76+41.5Reliability 24%71+17.2Value 14%92+13Replies to reviews 7%45+3.2Craft & service penalty88−1.2Momentum penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 73Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.BBAAAC4.72—
10Boulevard Veterinary Hospital logoBoulevard Veterinary HospitalNorfolk, VAC 53How 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%66+36Reliability 24%50+12.1Value 14%39+5.5Replies to reviews 7%8+0.6Craft & service penalty85−1.5Experts Score= 53Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.BCADAF4.69—

What jobs cost

What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.

JobLow25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this.TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this.FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.

Pet Boarding Facilities in Virginia at a glance

How the 10 pet boarding facilities we rated in Virginia compare, and what customers praise most.

Experts Score grades

A = score 80+, F = below 20.

  • Grade A770%
  • Grade B220%
  • Grade C110%
  • Grade D00%
  • Grade F00%

Google ratings

Average stars per company.

  • 4.90★ and up550%
  • 4.80–4.89★220%
  • 4.60–4.79★330%
  • Below 4.60★00%

What customers praise

Share of Google review highlights.

  • Quality1,41528%
  • Professionalism1,36127%
  • Responsiveness1,17823%
  • Punctuality872%
  • Value1,04721%

Was the price fair?

All price verdicts left with reviews.

  • Great price65734%
  • Reasonable1,19962%
  • Overpriced452%
  • Not sure472%

Price verdicts by year

Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.

2025
2026

How we grade

Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-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.

Reliability (24%) — How 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.

Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google 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.

Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.

Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises 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.

Replies to reviews (7%) — How 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.