The news you’ve all been waiting on with bated breath; it’s time to announce the National Winner of the Dog-friendly Pub Awards, 2017. Handpicked by our panel of expert judges, from a shortlist of 12 Regional Winners, as voted by you, pub loving UK dog owners.
The UK’s Dog-Friendly Pub of The Year 2017?
And the winner is… The Fox and Hounds in Theale – a big round of app-paws for the National Winner!
Here’s what Jayne, landlady and dog-welcomer-in-chief had to say about the Fox and Hound’s dog-friendly credentials:
“Dogs are so loved by all [in our country], especially by us, that we could not not be dog-friendly. Dogs are not pets, they are family, and to us this means that they should join you everywhere, be it just for a drink or dinner too.”
A community focused dog-loving pub
The Fox and Hounds Theale has got the winning formula of community-focused, dog-loving down to a fine art. Here’s a couple of totally ‘pawesome’ stories from Jayne to show you what impressed our judges:
“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.”
“Another regular guest is Aston (Martin K9), who when asked by his parents if he wants to come to ‘The Fox and Hounds’ goes crazy and cries until he gets here. When here he comes bounding straight in for cuddles with all the team.”
Dog-friendliness knows no bounds
The Fox and Hounds Theale has gotten really creative in their pursuit of being the most dog-friendly pub in the UK. Jayne says:
“This year we have three free dog beds, ranging in size, as well as introducing a doggy ball pit filled with toys and balls for the summer months. We also introduced doggy ice cream, available all year round. Our annual dog show continues to grow each year, with more and more entries and more money for the local Dogs Trust home. We also held a doggy photoshoot this year to make a 2018 doggy Calendar to sell, 25% of the sales are going to the Newbury Dogs’ Trust. However, truly unique to any pub, we have our very own doggy photo booth, which is great fun for all!
A final word (or two!) from the leader of the DogBuddy pack
DogBuddy Founder and CEO Richard Setterwall praised the calibre of our 2017 National Winner saying, “The Fox & Hounds Theale 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!).
From the whole DogBuddy pack I’d like to wish Jayne and the team a huge congratulations on being named the DogBuddy Dog-friendly Pub of the Year.”