We dreamed up the Dog-Friendly Pub Awards because we discovered that finding a dog-friendly pub isn’t as easy as we first thought. Our recent survey revealed that 1 in 3 UK dog owners struggle to find a dog-friendly watering hole. So to help make socialising with your dogs easier, we’re asking you to vote and nominate your favourite pubs.
We’ve also lined up some expert judges. Last week, we got to know the first two judges, Lisa and Ed, who’ll help us decide the pub which will be crowned DogBuddy’s Dog-friendly Pub of 2016. Now it’s time to meet our third judge – he’s someone we know pretty well – please put your paws together for Richard Setterwall, the leader of the DogBuddy pack!
DogBuddy: Hi, Richard! If you could pick one breed to own for the rest of your life what breed and why?
Richard: That’s a tough one! But if I really had to choose I would go with a Rottweiler. In my opinion, they are the nicest dogs. Rottweilers are very active dogs, they require a lot of exercise, which makes them the perfect dog for me as I love to keep fit.
DB: Tell us your ‘pub pitch’ – how do you explain what you do for a living when you’re down the pub?
RS: I’m the co-founder and CEO of a paw-some company called DogBuddy. We connect dog owners with reliable dog sitters in their local area. So when you go away on holidays or if you’re busy at work or have plans in the evenings you can easily treat your pup to some extra cuddles and walkies.
DB: You’re in the pub with some mates. Everyone’s bragging about how great their job is. What are the biggest bragging points for your job?
RS: I don’t think anyone can out-brag me! Not only do I work with dogs all day, I’m lucky enough to work with some amazing and fun people, too. It must be the best job in the world, right?
DB: As a two-legged pub customer, what do you look for in a pub?
RS: As a two-legged punter I can easily make an informed choice about where I spend an evening with friends – good atmosphere and good beer are a good start! But as for our dogs, they need a little more specialised attention. It’s pretty straightforward to put out a water bowl, so I look for pubs that think about the small little details that create a welcoming environment for dogs. A nice outdoor area, some treats, and a cozy dog bed go a long way!
DB: What’s your favourite tipple?
RS: ‘Tipple’ is a new English phrase I’ve just learned! I love a nice refreshing beer after a hard days’ work and I’m a proud Swede, so my favourite has to be a Swedish beer called Mariestads. Reminds me of home!
DB: What’s your reaction to the following statistics from the DogBuddy dog-owner survey?
(70% of the UK’s dog owners search for dog-friendly pubs, 1/3 of Britons struggle to find dog-friendly pubs and nearly 1/4 of dog owners left a pub that wasn’t dog-friendly)
RS: On one hand it’s no surprise – the people of the UK clearly love spending time at pubs and want to bring their doggy best friends with them. However, it’s surprising, and a bit sad, to hear that finding a truly dog-friendly pub is as hard as our survey revealed. I hope that the dog-friendly pub awards can help UK dog owners easily find a welcoming and dog-friendly pub.
DB: What’s the first thing you think when you look at this image?
a) “Aw, a puppy in a glass”
b) “Ew, a puppy in a glass”
c) “Great, now I have to clean another glass”
d) “Mmm… dog hairs in my beer”
RS: e)- I’ll have two!
That’s all from Richard for now, we’ll be hearing from him again when it’s time to reveal the UK’s official best Dog-friendly Pub of 2016. Want to see your favourite pub clinch one of the top spots? Get voting and round up support for your canine-loving local.