Most dog-friendly pub in the UK revealed
The Fox & Hounds, Theale, took the prize after judges from the RSPCA, Snuffle Dog Beer, The Morning Advertiser, Your Dog magazine, and Richard Setterwall, founder and CEO of DogBuddy, named it top dog.
Now in its second year, the awards, organised by online dog-sitting platform DogBuddy.com, recognise pubs across the UK that truly embrace "paw power" and welcome not just two-legged customers but four-legged visitors too.
Encouraging hound-lovers and pup parents up and down the UK to show some well-deserved appreciation of existing dog-friendly establishments, the Dog-friendly Pub Awards also promote dog-friendly values across all pubs nationwide, inspiring UK dog owners to discover and visit their local pubs.
Jayne Tilsley, Fox & Hounds general manager, said she was "delighted" with the results.
“Dogs are not pets, they are family, and to us this means they should join you everywhere, be it just for a drink or dinner too," she said.
"We have one regular guest, Cookie, who is a rescue dog.
"When Cookie first joined us he was very nervous and would bark when we were anywhere in the vicinity of him. Now, just two years on, he even lets us stroke him. Our neighbour’s dog, Lord Dobbington of Sunnyside, regularly brings himself to the pub for a solo visit.”
Dog happiness
The Fox & Hounds, Theale beat 11 other regional finalists – voted for by dog lovers across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – in this year’s awards.
Richard Setterwall said: “For the second year running, DogBuddy – with the help of dog lovers up and down the country – has been searching for the best of the best when it comes to dog-friendly pubs, with the Fox & Hounds, Theale, we’ve found just that.
"The superb service demonstrated shows a real consideration for dog welfare and happiness, which we at DogBuddy.com value above all.
"Te pub offers all of the doggy basics and so much more. At the heart of it all is the belief that dogs are not pets, they are family, which is why they even take bookings in the dog’s name, rather than the humans!
"What really makes the Fox & Hounds stand out though, is their community-led feel. From their annual dog show to their doggy calendars, they involve the entire community in raising money for local dog charities (and have lots of fun with it too!).
"The whole DogBuddy pack is proud to congratulate Fox & Hounds, Theale, on their achievement, and hopes the Dog-friendly Pub Awards will inspire dog owners countrywide to discover and support their local pubs."
