IT’S A (COTSWOLD) DOG’S LIFE!

It’s no secret that we Brits are a nation of dog lovers, with roughly 41% of households owning at least one of the 15.5 million mutts in the country, but few areas can beat the Cotswolds when it comes to affection for our canine companions. The love affair goes back centuries, to an age when the region’s wool trade ensured that it became one of the wealthiest in the country. While it was home to its own breed of sheep, the Cotswold Lion, dogs were an integral part of the industry. From the original mixed breed ‘landrace’ herders, through the Cotswold Cor (sometimes called the Coll) that was an ancestor of the Old English Sheepdog and through to the ubiquitous Border Collie, the Cotswolds has always been synonymous with a devotion to its faithful hounds.

Wednesday, August 26th is International Dog Day, so let’s show our loyal chums a little extra attention on their special day. What better way to show them that they’re a beloved member of the family than to include them on one of your adventures, but where to go?

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And Rover came too……

Nowadays, there is a vast range of breeds to be found in the area, but to be any dog residing in the Cotswolds is surely the doggy version of a lottery win! So many attractions, pubs and venues across the Cotswolds are happy to welcome well-behaved dogs. Here are just a few ideas for a trip out when man’s best friend can share in the experience;

Pubs across the region that go the extra mile to cater for dogs by offering water bowls and treats include the iconic Fleece at Bretforton, The Crown and Trumpet in Broadway (lovely open fire in the winter) The Hare and Hounds in Westonbirt with its beautiful gardens, The Plough at Stretton on Fosse (great pub grub) and The Fuzzy Duck at Armscote where overnight stayers receive a doggy welcome pack. Elsewhere, The Lamb Inn in Bibury is proud of its dog-friendly credentials, as is The Crown Inn at Frampton Mansell, an ancient and beautiful building bursting with great locally brewed ales, The Queen’s Head in Stow-on-the-Wold, the award-winning Red Lion at Long Compton- Warwickshire Pub of the Year and The beautiful Ebrington Arms - Destination Pub of the Year.

One proviso, of course, is that while dogs are welcome at many pubs and hotels across the Cotswolds, it’s always worth checking areas in which they might be less welcome, like restaurants. 

Other attractions across the region where dogs are welcome, usually on leads, include the Cotswold Wildlife Park, Batsford and Westonbirt Arboretums, Cirencester Park (includes off-lead zones), Broadway Tower and The Cotswold Way. Again, worth checking areas where access for dogs may be restricted, though.

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Home to happy hounds

Today, the happiness of the family hound is guaranteed and their (or their owners’) every whim is catered for – dog groomers, gourmet dog food suppliers, doggy boutiques for the finest in chic canine couture, dog walkers, dog sitters, behaviourists, portrait painters and photographers and some of the finest veterinary care in the country. Perhaps the greatest advantage of being a dog in the Cotswolds is the fabulous countryside offering a million fascinating scents and sights to explore, and because the region is so dog-friendly, there is no shortage of great places to visit where pooches are as welcome as their people.

So, whenever you want to treat your lovable Labrador or pamper your playful Pointer, there are a myriad ways to give them a good time in the Cotswolds. Why not make the most of International Dog Day and give them an experience they’ll love? Oh, and throw in a few sneaky extra snacks while you’re at it!

By Richard Price

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For all the latest on what’s happening in the Cotswolds, check out What’sOn?XL in CotswoldXL Magazine.

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