Tolkien's Kennels

I had an emergency that required the boarding of my little French Bulldog for a while. Tolkien's Kennels treated both he and I amazingly, and were very fairly priced. I would pay far more for the high caliber of care that my little fella received, I will most assuradly be using them again!!! Ben P more

I took Brody to Tolkien's on the recommendation of a good friend and was not dissapointed...very pleased. The owners are very nice and really care about dogs. It is clean and friendly and my dog was very happy with his stay and came home very clean. The Knox's are wonderful to work with. Highly recommend this kennel and plan to go back. more

I have never boarded my dogs before and was somewhat nervous about it. I checked out Tolkien's website and gave them a call. My 13-year old min pin, Phoebe, hurt her knee a couple of days earlier, needing extra care and Christie said that they would be more than happy to accommodate. At drop off, I felt at ease immediately. Larry was just as excited about the dogs as they were of him! Extremely clean setup and friendly and experienced people. Phoebe was definitely a handful with her age and potty needs, but Larry didn't even think twice about it. A wonderful team and highly recommended!! more

My husband and I love Tolkien's Kennel. We have two dogs and they are able to share the same space when we board them. This comforts us tremedously since L&W have been together from the very begining. The Knox family also provides our dogs with everything they need which makes packing them up so much easier. The knox's are very flexible with our schedules. The biggist tribute is when we pull into Tolkiens for drop off, our dogs nearly knock us over trying to get to the front door. They cannot wait to see Larry. You will be very pleased with Tolkiens and I promise they will love your pets as much as you do. more

Dear Fellow Pups: more

Tolkien Kennels at 10900 Three Chopt Rd. in the West End of Richmond. Has a great place to leave your dog and not have a worry. For the last nine years our Dog Max loves Christy and Larry and they love him. So we say come to Tolkens and you too will feel the love of the dog world. more

I've been taking my Yorkie mix to Tolkien's for over 10 years. She loves to go there and doesn't want to leave when I pick her up. Christie and Larry are great people and true dog lovers. And excellent grooming - Christie makes my little dog look like a show dog. Couldn't ask for a better kennel. more

I have been taking my dogs to Tolkien's Kennels for 35 years. I am a dog person and consider them a part of my family. Christy & Larry do the same for them. They are very professional and responsible with their business. My dogs absolutely love going to Tolkiens. These kennels are not only very clean but have A/C and heat if needed and large runs with beds. Also, a plus is the baths they get and nail trim. If you care about your animals please try Tolkien's . I would not take them anywhere else. more

I've brought my dog, Pete, to Tolkien's Kennel several times over the years and they are just wonderful people who are dedicated to running a tip-top facility. I feel as though Pete is well kept by folks who really care! Definately a home away from home for us. more

We have been leaving our dogs with Christie and Larry since I can't even remember when--at least through five generations of dogs. Our guys and girls always act like they are at home from the time they arrive in the parking lot. In fact, one of them is. Our Amstaff Rolf was from a Tolkien's litter. The love of Rolf's life, Alice, came to us through Christie who told my wife about this great dog an animal shelter in Kentucky had been hiding (she had been there six months--long past the time regulations allowed) because the staff couldn't bear to put her down. Alice was a great addition to our family and Rolf's Momma for eight years until she passed away. I can't imagine a better ""home away from home"" than Tolkiens. more

I was in a panic last Thursday because I had to leave town and I could not take my dog with me. Time was running out and I was running out of options. I found Tolkien's on the internet and made the call around 7pm. The phone was answered and I spoke with Christie who quickly made arrangements for Zeus. Christie told me it would not be a problem and that normally the phones are not answered at that time. However, due to a storm she was actually sitting with a Terrier to comfort him till the storm passed. After hearing that I knew I wanted to drop Zeus off and I knew he would be fine. When I dropped him off, Christie assured me he would be fine and she even gave me her cell phone number just to check in on him. I did not use it, because I felt he was going to be treated well. When I picked Zeus up I could tell he was happy, most importantly I know Larry and Christie had spent time with him, because of the things they told me he did. He loves to be washed and have his nails filed and they told me before I even mentioned it to them. Larry and Christie are wonderful people and I could tell they care for every animal that walks through their doors. I recommend everyone paying them a visit. You will not regret it! more

Now that my son is grown and out of the house my two dogs are my babies. I hate to leave them but I love to travel --- so it really makes me smile when I say to them, "" Do you want to go to camp?"" and they begin jumping with excitement and head for the door. Though I miss them I am able to relax knowing that they are cared for with kindness and years of experience. Pros: Peace of mind more

Larry and Christie are long time professional dog owners and lovers as am I. They have cared for several of my terriers of all personalities and ages over a period of 25 years. They are the only ones I let take care of my pets because of their knowledge, experience and attention to detail. The kennels and grounds are very clean and well organized. My dogs have been and continue to be safe, happy and well cared for there whether young or in old age with health issues and I recommend this kennel and it's owners without hesitation all the time - and I will continue to. In response to the one negative review - why weren't your animals on preventive and why would you go to Wal-Mart to buy shampoo? I don't need flea and tick shampoo and I certainly would not go to Wal-Mart to get it. I don't need flea and tick shampoo. I use regular dog shampoos and premium preventive in use purchased from reputable pet supply businesses and vets - you are obviously an amateur pet owner and clueless. And I have never had flea, tick or any other issues when I have left my dogs at this kennel. They come home clean, happy and healthy. Larry and Christie are warm, caring and intelligent people who have served the Richmond dog community for years and their reputation is outstanding with all of us. Someone doth protest too much without knowing what they are talking about. Tolkien's Kennel I thank you for your many, many wonderful years of service and will be calling shortly to make my reservation for upcoming vacation. The fact that I have to make a reservation speaks for itself, too, that's how popular they are. Pros: Experience and knowledge of owners, high standard more

My entire family has been using Tolkiens for over 20 years for grooming and boarding. Christy and Larry treat each dog like a member of their family. In fact, I now have one of their Am Staffs, my father has another, and my brother-in-law has yet another. They are wonderful dogs and we only take them to Tolkiens for grooming and boarding. The kennel is extraordinarily clean and inviting. The dogs have plenty of room to romp, and are in the shade during the day. I would not go anywhere else for boarding or grooming. Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more

I just picked up by Havanese from boarding on an extended emergency stay - he LOVES everyone at Tolkien's and was very happy. i was amazed at his coat condition - he is in a full length show coat and they brushed him out on a regular basis - without even asking - they just know what to do! I called on a recommendation from by Vet. I had to board him over the Easter Weekend and TOLKIEN'S MADE ROOM! Pros: PRISTINE CONDITIONS AND GREAT PROFESSIONAL OWNERS more

Tolkien's kennels saved my dog's life! I adopted him after they cared for him and his litter brothers at Tolkien's for a year, after a misfortune befell their original owner. When I arrived to adopt my dog, he was beaming, happy, and absolutely bursting with good health! Christie Knox and the entire Tolkien's staff deserve kudos and praise for offering not only beautiful, immaculate, and first class accommodations for pets away from home, but their extensive lifetime experience in dealing with myriad issues connected with pets and pet needs. They really put themselves out for pets and people! I can't imagine a safer, happier place to take a pet while on vacation, short or long term. Pros: caring, knowledgeable staff, clean and beautiful surrounding Cons: NONE! more

If finding a tick on your dog is the worst experience of her life, then I want her life! Anyone with dogs, especially in the South will find ticks from time to time. I have been associated with this kennel for almost 15 years. They love every dog that steps through their gate. When my dogs were there, the runs were cleaned more than once a day. But anyone that cleans up after dogs knows that the minute you finish cleaning up, they will make messes again. The owners of Tolkien make sure every dog has fresh water, lots of shade and adequate playtime. You could not find two more caring people than Larry and ""whatever the woman's name was"" (Christie). No one can totally control the bug population out of doors, thought I know they try. I have and would trust them with my (longhaired) babies anytime. Pros: very caring and conscientious people more

I have boarded my dogs at this kennel for many years. Pros: Beautiful shaded areas more

They provide excellent service for dogs. The kennels are clean, and the dogs seem to enjoy their stay. Pros: Quality dog care more

I am not sure that this lady really came from Georiga...I think she must have landed from out of space! First of all, I think it is too early here to have ticks. If there are any it would take a good search to find them as they would be tiny...not as described by nutcase lady. She obviously brought them from Georgia or parts south of here. I am sure that must have been what Larry was trying to convey to her. 30 years ago I needed to find a boarding kennel to care for my 15 year old Old English and 10 year old Weimaraner. I was concerned about the level of care that 2 large elderly dogs would require in the summer heat. My vet recommended Tolkeins and I have never looked back. In addition to those 2 dogs they have cared for my brother's dogs, my sister's dogs and my parents' dogs. None of us had a moment's concern. For the last 20 years I have had my three Norwich Terriers groomed there everh 6 weeks. Believe me if there had been anything even close to what nutcase lady reported I would have seen it. The runs have always been spotless and the owners treat the dogs more like children then dogs. In the last 40 years or so I have groomed dogs, shown dogs and have associated with friends who are breeders of the highest quality. I know dogs and animals in general. Take my word for it above Ms. Hysterical, that Tolkein's in an excellant boarding kennel. I would recommend Tolkein Kennels as a first class boarding kennel without reservation. Pros: Excellant Care more