After years of humans getting to decide what made an amazing dog-friendly pub, we finally put the power back in the paws of dogkind. To kick off the 2018 Dog-Friendly Pub Awards, the team at DogBuddy gathered some of London’s smartest, sharpest, and most enthusiastic pub-savvy hounds at one of London’s dog-friendliest pubs – the Woolpack in Bermondsey. The pack of expert hounds chose the features they wanted to see in dog-friendly pubs – read on to find out what we discovered!
Some dogs took their time relaxing on a plush doggie bed
What do you normally go down to your local to do, if not to put your feet up and relax with a refreshing, perfectly chilled pint in hand? Most pooches are panting to quench their thirst when they visit their favourite dog-friendly local, and it helps if they had a soft, cosy dog bed to catch forty winks on after a long day. Combine this with a bowl full of fresh water and a dog treat to munch on and you’re getting closer to what makes a dog-friendly pub the perfect place to while away an lazy weekend.
Others preferred to romp about with a dog toy or two
Some pups are more playful than others prefer gnawing on a good sturdy dog toy to keep themselves occupied while their owners enjoy a pint… this station was dedicated to them! Doggy toy heaven-in-pub included rope knots to treat-filled Kongs (every dog owner’s classic), the Toy Tryout Zone saw dogs racing about to get their paws on every toy they could find. A pub might not be the most ideal place for a game of fetch, but that didn’t stop some of our doggy friends giving it a good try!
Of course, the Treat Testing Zone proved the most popular…
Who says only humans should be able to tuck into some tasty pub grub? An open jar of dog treats is a must at every dog-friendly drinking hole, and no hungry hound would be satisfied without a treat or two when heading down to their local! All manner of flavoured treats were up for grabs at the Treat Testing Zone, where our team of pooches flocked to sample the goodies. Testing beds and toys is hungry work, of course, but rest assured that these pooches weren’t totally spoiled with too many treats, but they certainly deserved an extra gravy bone or two for their helping paws!
…with our Doggy Bar coming in a close second!
What’s a good pub without good beer, and while we’re at it, why should dogs miss out on a tasty, thirst-quenching beverage? Thankfully, our pals at Snuffle Dog beers brought a case (or two!) for our pub-testing-pooches to sample. Proving a hit with hounds all round, doggy beer is certainly an important addition to any dog-friendly pub that’s looking to go the extra mile for their four-legged customers!
As for the humans… well, they got some treats, too
As their furry friends enjoyed a good romp around the Woolpack’s outdoor space, the human mums and dads of our pub-going pooches were treated to a ‘Hair of the dog’ breakfast of Bloody Marys (or tea and coffee, of course) and bacon rolls – classic pub fare to suit the theme of the day.
The last of the bacon sandwiches and treats alike were scoffed down just as the afternoon rolled around, and these tired yet happy hounds left the Woolpack ready for a good nap. All the toys and treats seemed equally satisfying to these pooches, but one thing remained clear – dog-friendliness in pubs is has never been so important.
With 34% of dog owners in the UK struggling to find a dog-friendly pub for them and their pooch, and 67% of owners being put off visiting pubs that aren’t dog-friendly, it certainly seems like a no-barker for more pubs to open their doors to dogs, and offer a few creature comforts so they feel at home at their human’s side. Dog owners feel welcome where their four-legged friends feel equally welcome, and their morning at the Woolpack only served to prove that the rising demand for dog-friendly pubs is a trend that shouldn’t be ignored any longer.
Eager to find a dog-friendly pub near you? Already have a local in mind that you and your hound both love? The Dog-Friendly Pub Awards is an annual competition that aims to sniff out the nation’s best dog-friendly pub, and to promote dog-friendliness in pubs across the country – and voting for 2018 is now open! Visit the official website to cast your votes, or to look out for a dog-friendly pub in your area!