Jason Goodwin: The night I accidentally sent a friend to go dogging on a remote West Country hilltop
Oh, Jason. It could have happened to anyone.
Dogs & Animals
From perfect pedigrees to loveable canine scamps of unknown origin, we celebrate man’s best friend.
Looking for a new dog? Head straight for our article on how to choose the perfect dog to fit your lifestyle, family and home.
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How to teach an old dog new tricks? Engage their brains as well as their bodies
Long walks might be good for tiring your dog out, but, as Katy Birchall discovers, brain games are equally as important when it comes to relieving boredom, anxiety and restlessness for man’s best friend.
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The Princess Royal's horses at Gatcombe: 'They have to do something useful'
HRH The Princess Royal has been involved with horses throughout her life. Kate Green went to Gatcombe Park to speak to her about the steeds which she keeps at her home estate today.
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Want to keep chickens? Here are 22 unusual breeds that'll give you a bustling coop — and maybe some pink eggs for breakfast
Lockdown has made the idea of keeping hens — and harvesting their eggs — even more appealing, but the populations of a surprising number of delightful native breeds are dwindling. Kate Green takes a look at some unusual but rewarding poultry to consider.
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Crossbreed dogs: 15 of the best non-pedigree chums, from schnoodle to whoodle
The crossbreed is no longer considered an accident and dog owners are going crazy for these new versions. Emma Hughes sorts the schnoodle from the whoodle.
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How to pick a Labrador puppy
If you're after a labrador — aka 'the world's favourite dog' — you'll need to take some expert advice.
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Cocker spaniel versus springer spaniel: What owners need to know
Which is the more popular spaniel, the springer or the cocker? Shooting Times's David Tomlinson weighs up the pros and cons for these much-loved breeds.
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The common garden plants that are deadly to dogs and cats – and what to do if they eat one
Many beautiful and common plants in the average English garden can prove fatal to household pets. Peter Green, a veterinary surgeon, gives his advice on some of the most common things to look out for.
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How Anna Sewell wrote Black Beauty, the 'hymn to a horse' whose influence on animals is still felt today
A hymn to the horse, a comment on slavery, an ode to rural Norfolk: Anna Sewell’s enduringly popular novel is all this and more 200 years after its author’s birth, explains James Clarke.
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10 things you didn’t know about French bulldogs – including how they’re actually British
Elizabeth Whitney reveals some fun facts about the endearingly bat-eared French bulldog.
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English pointers: The dogs that are full of energy and fun, with a history that includes one of the great canine heroes of the Second World War
In the latest instalment of our series on Britain's favourite dogs, we get to know the impressively versatile English pointer
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Expert dog training tips to help you stop canine cabin fever in lockdown, from a home-made agility course to tasty treats with a difference
Even man's sturdy best friend needs a paw to hold during the onslaught of a pandemic. Rosie Paterson talks to some of the experts about how to keep your pet entertained during the lockdown.
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If only dogs could talk: Reading the minds of Britain's 11 most popular breeds, from Labradors to Westies
Do pooches really take on the characteristics of their so-called owners? Rupert Uloth spoke to some of Britain’s most popular breeds and found out what makes them tick.
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A simple guide to Britain's snails
How many snails do you think there are in your garden — a dozen maybe? Twenty? Try several thousand. Here's how to tell what they are.
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The dogs of Country Life: The labradors, terriers and teddy bears that we call family
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Curious Questions: Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs?
Chocolate is potentially life-threatening to dogs and other animals throughout the year, but more issues crop up around Easter, when chocolate is in high supply. Alexandra Fraser, with the help of veterinary doctor Jessica May, explains how to act if you suspect your pet had been poisoned.
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An ode to the worm: ‘The intestines of the earth‘, 6,000 species, 600 million years old and undeniably valuable
Lauded by Aristotle as the ‘intestines of the earth’, the 1.75 million worms found in each acre of fertile arable land deserve the utmost respect, says an admiring Ian Morton.
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The dogs of lockdown: How our four-legged friends are surviving (and thriving)
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The 10 most famous dog-and-owner combinations in history, from Churchill and his poodles to the Royal dog with its own footman
Dogs have always walked alongside the great and the good — not to mention the notorious and the terrible. Annunciata Elwes follows the ‘tails’ (ho ho) of 10 of history’s most well-remembered dogs and their equally notable owners.
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Labradoodles: The ultimate companion, from allergy-compatible guide dog to beloved family pet
In the past 30 years, this well-mannered crossbreed has stolen our hearts, yet the man responsible has likened it to Frankenstein’s monster. Kate MacDougall finds out more.
