Meet the 2017 Dog-friendly Pub Award Winners

Your votes have been campaigned-for, cast and counted. Our panel of expert judges have made their choice for which pooch-welcoming establishment will be named DogBuddy’s Dog-Friendly Pub of the Year. Along with the National Winner, as voted by dog owners up and down the UK, we’re proud to present the 12 best dog-friendly pubs in the country – our 2017 Dog-friendly Pub Award winners!

National Winner

 
 

The Fox and Hounds, Theale – South East

The Fox & Hounds, Theale

The Fox and Hounds was named 2016’s Regional Winner in the pooch-loving South East, and this year stole our judges’ hearts. At the heart of their dog-friendly ethos is the belief that dogs are family members, not pets, which means that they should be welcome to wine and dine with their human families, too! This charming country-feel, 200-year-old pub even takes bookings with the name of the dog, rather than the human customers. The Fox and Hounds strives to be more than just a business, with regular community-led dog shows to raise money for dog charities.

Read more about The Fox and Hounds

Regional Winners

 
 

The Three Tuns – East of England

The Three Tuns

Firm favourite throughout the Awards, The Three Tuns is a veritable country idyl. Offering all the doggy basics and more besides, this pub certainly knows how to go above and beyond to cater for their four-legged visitors. Hosting doggy birthday “pawties”, sponsored dog walks for charity, plus homemade treats – it’s not hard to see why locals love this pub, so much so they voted it top of their region.

Read more about The Three Tuns

 
 

The Lion Inn – East Midlands

The Lion Inn

Being dog-friendly was a no-brainer for pub landlord Greg whose pooches are with him all day, every day, while he attends to business and customers visiting The Lion Inn. Soon after adopting his dogs, Greg found that customers started bringing their own dogs along for a beverage, and the Lion’s dog-friendly fame grew from there, building up their stock of treats, and water bowls a plenty. Staff at the Lion Inn are bound to learn visiting dogs’ names before their humans!

Read more about The Lion Inn

 
 

The Hand in Hand – London

The Hand in Hand

This pub will be familiar to some as the champion of DogBuddy’s inaugural Awards and London’s most popular dog-friendly pub for the second year in a row. The Hand has set the bar (pun intended) very high for dog-friendly pubs everywhere. With homemade chicken liver treats keeping pups’ tongues lolling for miles around, plus seriously impressive dog charity fundraising efforts undertaken by Christine and her team, The Hand in Hand is a true dog-friendly establishment through and through.

Read more about the Hand in Hand

 
 

The Keel Row – North East

The Keel Row

Striving to make their visiting pooches as comfortable as possible is all part and parcel of what the Keel Row are all about. Some of their doggy regulars have been coming since puppyhood, and it’s clear why they keep coming back – they’re always thinking of new ways to keep pups happy, even turning a disused beer barrel into a source of clean, fresh water for thirsty pooches. The locals even teamed up to pay for an abandoned dog’s vet bills – how’s that for dog-friendly!

Read more about The Keel Row

 
 

The Fullerton Arms – Northern Ireland

The Fullerton Arms

Topping the Regional Leaderboard for a second year running, the staff at The Fullerton Arms work hard to make their doggy visitors as welcome as possible. From helping dogs and their owners feel at ease by providing a secure, enclosed garden space, to asking that dog owners respect other dog’s need for some private snoozing space if needed.

Read more about The Fullerton Arms

 
 

The Caledonia – North West

The Caledonia

Another familiar pub from 2016’s Awards – The Caledonia have cemented their place on any serious list of the UK’s dog-friendliest pubs. Proving that being dog-friendly doesn’t require being a countryside pub, the “Cali” are always thinking of new ways to show their dog-friendly credentials. Recently making the shift to an all-vegan menu, even using their position in the community to host informal dog-adoption information sessions with a local dog charity, the North West’s favourite dog-friendly pub is here to stay!

Read more about The Caledonia

 
 

Failford Inn – Scotland

The Failford Inn

This Scottish pub on the banks of the River Ayr is the perfect pitstop for dogs and their owners taking a walk through scene Ayrshire. With a cosy interior, river-garden views, open fire, and towels provided for soggy doggies, it’s certainly a place to spend an hour, or more, with your pooch, a well-earned pint and enjoy some of Scotland’s finest doggy hospitality.

Read more about the Failford Inn

 
 

The Fox and Hounds – South West

The Fox and Hounds

Not to be confused with this year’s National Winner, the Fox and Hounds, in Devizes is a picture postcard charmer complete with thatched roof. It’s more than a pretty exterior though. Staff are trained to consider doggy visitors with the utmost care, ensuring to ask an owner’s permission before giving treats and showing them to the best seats in the house for some quiet dog-nap time. Knowing their pooch-patrons range from Great Danes to Chihuahuas, they’ve also taken extra precaution to ensure the pub garden is a safe and secure environment for dogs of all shapes and sizes – so owners can enjoy their pint with peace of mind!

Read more about The Fox and Hounds

 
 

The Bryntirion Inn – Wales

The Bryntirion Inn

Recognising that not all dogs are the same and have different needs is at the heart of the Bryntirion’s approach to dog-friendliness. This extends to providing gluten-free treats, since some dogs are prone to allergies, and understanding that pooches and their owners arrive with a thirst after walking in the Welsh hills – so it’s important to make sure they both get to whet their whistles! Martin took over the pub 14 years ago the first thing he did was to get rid of the ‘no dogs allowed signs’. The rest is history!

Read more about The Bryntirion Inn

 
 

The Bailey Head – West Midlands

The Bailey Head

Nestled near the Welsh borders in a charming town square is the winner of the West Midland’s popular vote, The Bailey Head. There are even reports of nervous rescue dogs gradually learning to trust again – such as Penny who now loves to hang out and eat snacks at the bar – sounds like The Bailey Head is a pawesome place for pooches to hang out.

Read more about The Bailey Head

 
 

The Old Glen House – Yorkshire

The Old Glen House

Another familiar name – the Old Glen house retained their regional title this year, cementing their place as one of the UK’s best dog-friendly pubs. What you might call a ‘proper country pub’ this drinking hole is a hot destination for walkers, cyclists, and thirsty dogs alike. It’s all about inclusivity here at the Old Glen, so you can be sure to be well-fed, gulp a quaffable ale whilst your pooch is given treats, plenty of water and can join you while you relax and enjoy yourself!

Read more about The Old Glen House