Bred to track and hold lions at bay in Southern Africa, Rhodesian Ridgebacks bring a noble mix of courage, independence, and quiet devotion. While they no longer serve as big-game hunters, these powerful dogs are at their best in wide open spaces with strong leadership and a job to do, even if it’s just patrolling the garden.

Why Springer Spaniels Are the Countryside's Ultimate Companion

Whether they’re bounding beside us on walks or curled up purring by the fire, our pets become so much more than just animals. They are companions, confidants, and if we're honest, close family. When they leave us, the pain can be just as deep as losing a human loved one, and yet, many feel unprepared for the grief that follows.

It’s a beautiful day. Your dog is wagging with excitement. You reach a wide, open path, and unclip the lead.

There’s a dream home up for grabs in the Cotswolds this May. Thanks Omaze, who is raising money for Guide Dogs UK. But while the headlines talk ‘views and vaulted ceilings’, we can’t help but wonder: who’s looking after the cat?

Sturdy yet small, charming yet comical, Pugs are the velvet-cushion royalty of the dog world. Originally bred as lap dogs for Chinese emperors, today’s Pugs are equally at home in thatched cottages, cosy farmhouses, and manor house kitchens. With their unmistakable snorts, curled tails, and “old man” expressions, these little dogs win hearts wherever they waddle.

Yes, really. Many well-meaning owners unknowingly encourage their puppies to nip at hands, ankles, and clothes, and then wonder why the behaviour worsens. It’s not about being a ‘bad owner’, but about knowing what really works when those needle-like teeth come out to play.

At last, some positive news for pet parents who enjoy European getaways with their four-legged companions. As of May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to reintroduce the very much more favoured EU Pet Passport for British pet owners. This change will replace the expensive and inconvenient Animal Health Certificate (AHC) and make travelling with pets across the Channel significantly easier, and cheaper.

A Cockapoo is what happens when clever meets cuddly. Born from the cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, this breed has quickly become one of the UK’s favourite hybrid dogs, and for good reason. Especially well-suited to rural life, Cockapoos are bubbly, brainy, and bursting with affection. However, beneath that mop of curls is a dog that craves structure, attention, and mental stimulation to thrive.

Few breeds can match the Border Collie when it comes to brains and drive. Originally bred for herding sheep in the hills of Scotland and northern England, the modern Border Collie was standardized in the Anglo-Scottish border region in the 19th century. This breed thrives on having a task, and doing it well. Their remarkable intelligence, responsiveness, and eagerness to learn have made them a favourite not only in the field but also in the home.

Maybe it’s because so many of our rural clients own Black Labs, but I can’t help feeling that a Black Labrador is an institution in rural England. Whether bounding across Cotswold fields outside Cirencester, plunging into the cold water of Cotswold Country Park & Beach, or just dozing under a pub bench in a Wiltshire village in Pewsey Vale, these dogs are as much a part of our rural way of life as stone cottages and wellies by the backdoor.

Golden Retrievers are the embodiment of loyalty, gentleness, and an ever-wagging tail. It's no wonder they consistently rank as one of the UK’s most popular dog breeds. Across the Cotswolds, from Chipping Norton to Chipping Sodbury, these golden companions are more than just pets, they’re part of the countryside rhythm, whether trotting alongside a walker in local parks like Cornbury Park or snoozing contentedly by a crackling fire after a jaunt around a historic sight like Broughton Castle.