Search is on to find top dog-friendly businesses

The search is on to find the UK’s most dog-friendly places, as the Kennel Club launches its Be Dog Friendly Awards 2016.

The competition, now in its tenth year, is part of the wider Be Dog Friendly campaign which aims to break down barriers for man’s best friend by encouraging more businesses and public spaces to welcome dogs.

With around 8.5 million dogs in the UK, and around one in four households owning a dog, the great British public are always on the lookout for places where their four-legged family members are also welcome. The Be Dog Friendly Awards recognise businesses and places to visit that go the extra mile for our canine companions.

The Be Dog Friendly Awards 2016 are held in association with dogfriendly.co.uk, the UK’s leading directory with over 32,000 entries including dog-friendly pubs, cafes, hotels, beaches and towns.

There will be ten categories plus a Special Recognition prize at this year’s awards:

Town / City
Great Outdoors
Pub / Bar
Hotel / Hostel
High Street
Day out
Beach
Café / Restaurant
Camping / Caravan Site
Large Organisation 
Each winner will be determined by public nomination and vote. The Special Recognition prize will be awarded to a place or business that the Kennel Club and Dog Friendly identifies as going the extra mile for their canine customers and owners.

Speaking about this year’s awards, Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko said: “The Be Dog Friendly Awards are a great way to acknowledge the businesses and public places that go above and beyond to make our canine companions feel welcome. Despite being a nation of dog lovers, many owners struggle to find restaurants, shops, accommodation and even outdoor spaces where they can take their pet; therefore pubs that provide treats, beaches that allow dogs to roam off-lead and hotels that offer dog beds should be recognised and rewarded.”

Last year’s winners included the town of Keswick which was voted best dog friendly town for an impressive third time; Holkham beach in Norfolk, which is part of one of the largest nature reserves in the country; and best ‘great outdoor’ space, the Lake District.

Steve Bennett from Dog Friendly comments: “We look forward to working with the Kennel Club again to identify the UK’s best and most welcoming dog friendly businesses and places. Being a dog friendly business has so many benefits and we see more and more businesses recognising this and opening their doors to dogs every year. The Be Dog Friendly Awards give businesses the perfect opportunity to take part in the campaign, and dog owners the opportunity to say thank you to their favourite dog friendly places in the UK.”

The competition runs until 30th September.  To recommend and vote for your favourite dog friendly places or businesses, please go to www.bedogfriendlyawards.co.uk.  Everyone who makes a nomination or votes will be entered into a free prize draw to be in with a chance of winning a £500 voucher towards a dog friendly holiday or a pair of tickets to Eukanuba Discover Dogs or Crufts 2017.