Short answer: in 2026, hiring a security dog and handler in the UK typically costs £24 to £32 per hour outside London and £27 to £36 per hour in London, excluding VAT. That price is for one SIA-licensed handler and one trained general purpose security dog working together. Night shifts, bank holidays, short notice and short contracts can push the rate up, while longer contracts and regular hours usually bring it down.
This guide explains what you get for that hourly rate, why a dog team costs more than a guard on their own, worked weekly costs for common jobs, the legal rules that affect the price and the warning signs of a quote that is too cheap. It is written for site managers, property owners and facilities teams who are pricing dog security for a construction site, yard or empty building.
Security dog hire prices at a glance
These are typical market rates for 2026. They exclude VAT and assume a general purpose security dog team, which is what most sites hire for patrols and deterrence. Detection dogs (drugs or explosives) are a separate specialist service and cost considerably more.
| Service | Outside London (per hour) | London (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Security dog and handler (officer and dog) | £24 to £32 | £27 to £36 |
| Night shifts | Often £1 to £2 per hour more | Often £1 to £2 per hour more |
| Bank holidays | Usually time and a half or double time | Usually time and a half or double time |
| Static security guard without a dog (for comparison) | From £16.95 | £21 to £28 |
For the full picture on guard prices, including concierge, gatehouse and fire watch officers, see our security guard cost guide.
What is included in the hourly rate?
When you hire a dog team from a security company, you are not just paying for a person and a dog to turn up. A proper hourly rate covers:
- The handler’s pay. Handlers are paid at least the National Living Wage, which is £12.71 per hour from April 2026, and experienced handlers usually earn more. On top of that the employer pays holiday pay, employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
- The SIA licence. A contracted dog handler carries out security guarding, so they need a front line SIA licence. The licence fee is £204 for three years, plus the cost of the training needed to qualify.
- The dog. Buying a suitable dog, then training it and keeping it trained to work safely around the public.
- Kennelling, food and vet care. The dog needs a proper kennel, food, insurance, routine vet checks and treatment when it is ill or injured, whether it is working that week or not.
- Handler and dog training. Regular assessments so the team stays competent and the dog stays under control. Good companies work to the British Standard code of practice for general purpose security dogs, BS 8517-1.
- A suitable vehicle. Handlers usually travel in a van fitted to carry a dog safely, which costs more to run than a car.
- Insurance and supervision. Public and employer’s liability cover, plus a supervisor or manager who checks the team is doing the job properly.
- Cover for sickness and holidays. If your handler is off, the company needs another qualified handler and dog to send.
This is why a dog team costs roughly £6 to £10 per hour more than a static guard on the same shift. The extra money pays for the dog and everything needed to keep it working legally and safely.
Worked examples: what a week of dog security costs
These examples use mid-range rates and exclude VAT. Your own quote will depend on your site, hours and contract length.
| Job | Hours per week | Rate (per hour) | Weekly cost | Monthly cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction site, 12-hour nights, 7 nights | 84 | £28 | £2,352 | About £10,190 |
| Construction site, weekday nights (14 hours) plus full weekends | 118 | £28 | £3,304 | About £14,320 |
| Empty building in London, weekends only (Friday 6pm to Monday 6am) | 60 | £31 | £1,860 | About £8,060 |
| Yard or depot, 12-hour nights, Monday to Friday | 60 | £27 | £1,620 | About £7,020 |
Monthly figures use 52 weeks divided by 12. If you are VAT registered you can usually reclaim the VAT, so the price excluding VAT is the one to compare.
What affects the price of security dog hire?
- Location. London rates are higher because pay, travel and running costs are higher in the capital.
- Hours and shift pattern. Nights, weekends and bank holidays cost more. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are often charged at double time.
- Contract length. A rolling contract of several months is usually cheaper per hour than a single weekend, because the company can plan staff and dogs.
- Notice. Same-day or next-day requests may cost more, as handlers and dogs have to be moved from other plans.
- Size and risk of the site. A large or high-risk site may need two dog teams, or a dog team working alongside a static guard at the gate.
- Welfare breaks. Dogs cannot work continuously. Long shifts need planned rest for the dog, and on some sites a second dog, which the company builds into the price.
Is a dog team better value than a security guard?
A dog team costs more per hour, but on the right site it can be better value. A trained dog can hear and smell an intruder long before a person would see them, which makes a big difference on large, dark or open sites. On some sites one dog team can cover ground that would otherwise need two guards, and the dog is a strong visible deterrent on its own.
Dog teams usually make sense for:
- Large construction sites with plant, fuel, copper or materials stored overnight
- Yards, depots and compounds with poor lighting and a long perimeter
- Empty offices, shops, pubs and land waiting for development, where squatters, metal theft and vandalism are the main risks
- Sites that have already had a break-in and need a strong response quickly
A static guard on their own is often the better choice for reception desks, busy gates and sites where most of the work is dealing with staff, visitors and deliveries. Many sites use both: a guard on the gate and a dog team patrolling the perimeter at night.
The legal rules that affect the cost
Some of the cost of a dog team comes from meeting the law. A cheap quote that cuts these corners can leave you exposed.
- Guard Dogs Act 1975. A guard dog must be under the control of a handler at all times while it is working, unless it is secured so it cannot roam freely, and a warning notice must be clearly shown at each entrance to the site. Our guide to the Guard Dogs Act 1975 explains this in full.
- SIA licence. A dog handler supplied under a contract needs a front line SIA security guarding licence. You can check a licence on the SIA’s public register of licence holders.
- BS 8517-1. The British Standard code of practice for general purpose security dogs covers handler and dog training, welfare, kennelling and how teams are deployed. It is not a law, but it is the benchmark buyers and insurers look for.
- Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. In England and Wales it is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control, including on private land. Proper training and control protect you as well as the handler.
Warning signs of a quote that is too cheap
If a dog team is quoted well below £24 per hour, ask how the company can do it legally. Common warning signs are:
- The handler has no SIA licence, or the company will not give you the licence number to check
- The dog is a pet or has no record of training and assessment
- No mention of kennelling, vet care or rest breaks for the dog
- No public liability insurance, or the company will not show the certificate
- An offer to leave a dog loose on site with nobody there, which breaks the Guard Dogs Act
- Payment asked for in cash with no written contract or assignment instructions
How to get an accurate quote
To get a firm price quickly, have this information ready:
- The site address and type (construction site, yard, empty building and so on)
- The days and hours you need cover, and the start date
- How long you expect to need the service
- The size of the site and any problems you have had, such as break-ins or trespass
- Whether there is somewhere for the handler to take a break and for the dog to rest
Hiring security dogs with FCS Group
First Class Services Group has supplied security across the UK and Ireland since 2016. Our security dog and handler teams use trained general purpose dogs for patrols of construction sites, yards and empty property, and we are an associate member of the National Association of Security Dog Users (NASDU). All our security guards are fully SIA licensed and trained. We cover sites across the country, including security in London.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a security dog?
In 2026, a security dog and handler typically costs £24 to £32 per hour outside London and £27 to £36 per hour in London, excluding VAT. The price includes the handler, the dog and the costs of keeping the dog trained, kennelled and insured.
Can I hire a guard dog without a handler?
Not to roam free. Under the Guard Dogs Act 1975 a guard dog must be under the control of a handler at all times while it is working, unless it is secured so it cannot go freely about the premises. A reputable company will only supply a dog with a handler.
Why is a dog handler more expensive than a security guard?
The rate also pays for buying and training the dog, kennelling, food, vet care, insurance, a suitable vehicle and regular assessments. These costs exist all year, whether the dog is working that week or not.
Does a security dog handler need an SIA licence?
Yes. A handler supplied to your site under a contract is carrying out security guarding, so they need a front line SIA licence. You can check it on the SIA’s public register.
Is there a minimum booking for security dog hire?
Most companies set a minimum shift length, commonly 8 hours or more, because of the travel and preparation involved. Longer contracts usually get a lower hourly rate.
Are security dogs safe around the public?
A properly trained general purpose security dog works on a lead under the handler’s control and is trained to stop on command. That is why training standards such as BS 8517-1 and regular assessments matter.
Summary
Security dog hire in the UK usually costs £24 to £32 per hour outside London and £27 to £36 per hour in London, excluding VAT. The higher rate compared with a guard pays for a trained dog, its welfare and a licensed handler. On large, dark or empty sites, a dog team is often the most effective way to stop theft and trespass. If you need dog security for your site, get a free quote and we will recommend the right cover for your hours and risks.
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