There’s a better way — and it’s right here in the heart of the Quercy countryside.
Leaving your dog behind when you head off on holiday is one of those things that never quite gets easier. You pack your bags, you double-check the arrangements, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you picture the hollow clang of a kennel gate closing. For most of us, traditional boarding has simply been the default — not because it’s good, but because we didn’t know there was another way.
At Doggie Faire BnB, we’re here to tell you: there absolutely is.
The Problem with Traditional Kennels (That Nobody Talks About Enough)
Let’s be honest about what a standard boarding kennel actually looks and feels like for a dog. The noise alone — echoing barks, metal gates, hard floors — creates a level of sensory stress that most of us would find unbearable after an hour, let alone several days. Add to that the rotating staff, the concrete runs, and the sheer volume of animals being managed on a tight schedule, and it becomes clear: traditional kennels are built around operational efficiency, not canine wellbeing.
That’s not a criticism of the people who work in them. It’s simply a fundamental design problem.
Your dog didn’t choose to go on holiday without you. The least we can do is make sure that while you’re away, they’re somewhere that actually feels like home.
What In-Home Dog Boarding Actually Means
Doggie Faire BnB is not a facility. It’s not a business premises with dog-sized rooms. It is a real family home — nestled in the beautiful Quercy region of South West France, where your dog comes to stay as a genuine guest.
100% Cage-Free. Always.
There are no cages here. No crates used for containment. No kennel runs. Dogs sleep on proper dog beds and sofas in the living areas of the house, exactly as they would at home. This isn’t a marketing phrase — it’s the non-negotiable foundation of everything we do.
For dogs who are used to sleeping on the sofa or at the foot of the bed, arriving somewhere and being shut in a crate overnight can be genuinely distressing. Here, that simply doesn’t happen.
Small Numbers by Design
We take only a small number of guests at any one time. This is an intentional choice — and it’s what makes genuine, personalised care possible.
When you’re not managing a crowd, you can actually notice things. Which dog prefers the sunny spot by the garden door. Which one needs a quiet five minutes after a walk before they’re ready to play. Which one is a little nervous at mealtimes and needs a reassuring hand nearby. This is the kind of attentiveness that simply cannot exist in a high-volume operation.
Small-scale in-home dog boarding isn’t a limitation. It’s the whole point.
The Meet-and-Greet: Our Most Important Step
Before any booking is confirmed, every new guest must complete a mandatory trial session — what we call the Meet-and-Greet.
This isn’t a formality. It’s the cornerstone of how we keep every dog safe and settled.
What It’s For
Because our home is cage-free, all dogs move freely through the space together. That means social compatibility — what we call pack harmony — matters enormously. A dog who is anxious around other dogs, or whose personality clashes with the current guests, won’t be happy here regardless of how lovely the environment is.
The Meet-and-Greet gives your dog the chance to:
- Explore the home at their own pace
- Meet the owner and build initial trust
- Interact with any current canine guests in a calm, supervised setting
- Simply be in the space before committing to a longer stay
And it gives us the chance to make sure your dog is the right fit for our current pack — and vice versa.
We’d rather be honest at this stage than have a dog who is stressed or unsettled once you’ve already left for your holiday.
Health & Safety: The Invisible Framework
A cage-free environment is only possible when the safety foundations are rock solid. Here’s what we require of every guest:
Vaccinations
All dogs must be current with their CHPPiL / DHPPiL vaccinations, including kennel cough cover. This is non-negotiable and protects every dog in our care.
Parasite Prevention
Up-to-date flea, tick, and worming treatments are required before any stay. Living in South West France, where ticks in particular can be a real concern, this isn’t bureaucracy — it’s basic responsibility.
The Home Environment
Our home is fully dog-proofed, and the private garden is securely enclosed, giving dogs the freedom to sniff, mooch, and enjoy the fresh Quercy air without risk.
These aren’t rules for the sake of rules. They’re what make the cage-free promise possible.
Who We’re Here For
Doggie Faire BnB is a natural fit for:
- Expat families (particularly from the US, UK, and beyond) based in South West France who want their dog cared for by someone who truly understands the standard they’re used to
- Local pet parents in the Quercy region looking for a genuine kennel alternative with personalised, private care
- Anyone whose dog would struggle in a traditional kennel environment — whether through anxiety, age, medication needs, or simply being thoroughly spoiled at home (no judgement — same here)
A Note on What We’re Not
We are a private dog sitter offering domestic dog boarding in a real family home. We are not:
- A commercial kennel
- A doggy hotel with multiple members of staff
- A facility that takes every enquiry regardless of fit
We are a home, and a small, carefully chosen group of dogs who live alongside each other in comfort and companionship while their families are away.
The Quercy Countryside as a Backdrop
There’s something particularly wonderful about the rhythm of life here in the Quercy region. Long walks through the countryside, afternoons in the garden, the slower pace that makes South West France so special for the people who choose to live here — and, it turns out, for dogs too.
Your dog doesn’t know they’re on holiday. But with the right care, they won’t know they’re missing you either.
Ready to Find Out If We’re the Right Fit?
The first step is always a conversation. Tell us about your dog — their personality, their quirks, their routine — and we’ll be honest with you about whether Doggie Faire BnB sounds like the right match.
If it does, we’ll arrange a Meet-and-Greet, and take it from there.
Because your dog deserves more than a slot in a rota. They deserve a home away from home.
Doggie Faire BnB — in-home dog boarding and cage-free pet sitting in the Quercy region of South West France. Serving local families and expat communities across the area.