They might be the underdogs of the canine world, but true Heinz 57s–whether born by accident or design–will always hold a special place in our hearts, says Katy Birchall…
Dogs & Animals
Curious Questions: Can a swan really break your arm?
We’ve all heard the famous old wives' tale – but is there any truth to it, or is it merely a ploy to keep small fingers away from snapping beaks?…
The ten best dogs in literature
Man’s best friend has taken a starring role in stories since we first put pen to paper, playing nanny to the children, helping to solve mysteries and trotting down the…
Kenneth Grahame and the true meaning behind The Wind in the Willows
The Edwardian author Kenneth Grahame’s adoration of Nature and landscape made him passionate about conservation and inspired him to create some of Britain's best-loved characters, says his biographer Matthew Dennison.…
Nine things you ought to know if you’re having goose for Christmas
If you're looking for a change from turkey for Christmas dinner, goose is the obvious choice – but there are a few things to think about, as Kate Green explains.
Sporting Life: 10 majestic images that give a unique perspective on the immutable bond between Man and Horse
A new book sheds a wonderful light on the unique relationship that people have with their horses.
Jason Goodwin: The dogs who bounded off down the drive one summery evening, never to be seen again
Our columnist tells a sad tale which brings to mind his own pain at losing a pair of dogs, who happily ran off playing one evening and never came back.
Christmas gifts for dogs and their owners
Looking for a present for a four-legged friend? Or someone somewhat obsessed with theirs? Take a look at our suggestions for Christmas gifts for dogs.
Curious Questions: Why can’t red and grey squirrels live together?
Championed by HRH The Prince of Wales himself, the red squirrel revival is gathering pace all over the UK. But why can they not live alongside their grey relatives? Kate…
Curious Questions: What are unicorn horns made of? And why are we so fascinated by these mythical beasts?
Whether it be in a coat of arms, in a piece of art or emblazoned on the backpack of a child, barely a day goes by when we don’t encounter…
Sporting Life: Marcus Armytage previews the National Hunt season
For many racegoers, the changing of the clocks signals the start of the National Hunt season proper. Marcus Armytage reveals his top horses, trainers and jockeys.
The hill shepherd: ‘I’m not sure where the shepherds of the future will come from’
Graham Oliver is proud of the profession handed to him by his grandfathers but with his children choosing different career paths, he doubts the future of shepherding. Tessa Waugh reports.
Nightmare stories from some of the naughiest gundogs in Britain
Although everyone likes to think their gundogs are impeccably behaved, Rupert Uloth observes that they’re capable of letting us down in the most embarrassing ways in the field. Illustrations by…
Noel Fitzpatrick, TV’s new favourite vet, is not afraid to rattle a few cages for the sake of his animals
I approach Fitzpatrick Referrals, the headquarters of Noel Fitzpatrick, or Supervet, as he’s known to his growing following, along a golden greensand track of the classic Surrey Hills variety, dusty…
The Italian Greyhound: Tiny, beloved of royalty and anything but fast (until they put their minds to it)
Italian Greyhounds are a conundrum: for all their speed potential they're usually infuriatingly slow, miniature-sized – and they're not even Italian. No wonder they've entranced people since the heyday of…
Shaggy sheep stories: 21 native British sheep breeds and how to recognise them
Here are just some of the breeds to consider, whether for field or table or both.
The racing-yard manager: ‘The hours sometimes get on top of you, but when you get the winners, it’s all worthwhile’
A cabinetmarker by trade, Richard Leadley followed his love of horses to his current profession. Tessa Waugh reports, portrait by Richard Cannon.
Curious questions: Do dogs like listening to music?
As a nation of dog lovers, we’ve already seen home-cooking for canines, ‘pup cakes’ and Pawsecco. Now, we’re composing music for them. Claire Jackson investigates.
The sheep-shearer: ‘If you tell people what you do, they often don’t know what it involves’
Sheep-shearers are a dying breed, but Ashley Story relishes the back-breaking work. He spoke to Tessa Waugh; portraits by Richard Cannon.
The top ten British dog breeds that need saving and quickly
French bulldog wins top spot over labrador as some of the most quintessentially British breeds are pronounced 'vulnerable' by the KC. Matthew Dennison reports.