One of our most vulnerable native breeds: Glen of Imaal Terriers
What they lack in numbers, they make up for in personality. Only 48 of these puppies were registered last year. ‘We wanted a smallish dog – although, in fact, Glens aren’t that small – and a terrier, for their personality,’ owner Duncan Wilson recalls. ‘We were thinking of border terriers, but I was quite attracted by the idea of Glens being a very rare breed. And, of course, once you’ve seen a puppy, that’s it.’
The KC's best-kept secret: Tibetan Terriers
Hugh Bonneville may have labrador co-stars, but he comes home to two Tibetan terriers. Child friendly and in need of pampering, they're definitely not alpha dogs.
Small by stately: Dachscunds
A dog that definitely doesn't know how small it is, daschunds ('badger hounds', in German) are spirited, loyal, courageous and surprisingly keen hunters.
Pici, Britain's Naughtiest Dog
Although the runners-up included a dog who flooded an entire kitchen by taking a bath in the sink and the dog who ate Christmas, Pici really took the biscuit by eating a passport, demolishing the family's Easter eggs (without no sign of ill effect) and, most importantly, summoning the armed police. It must be read to be believed.
Regal, good-natured and undeniably handsome: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Spaniels are truly the aristocrats of the dog world. Furthest genetically removed from their wolf ancestors, they'll stick to you like glue and wont budge for love or money.
Dogs at polling stations
There's only one reason that people go to polling stations, and that is of course to exercise their democratic right to vote. However, it's a fairly dull business, and if you're lucky you may just spy a four-legged friend peering out from behind the legs of another person exercising their democratic right to vote. If you didn't in the most recent elections, see our round up here.
Fox red labradors
From gently-blushed to russet red, fox reds come in all shades of excellent. Undoubtably striking, they're companionable and patient, unsurprisingly often used as working dogs.
Aphra the minature poodle
‘Let’s go for a walk! I can jump on your knee! Let’s have a bit of that! Let’s run!’ She likes to comment on everything. ‘Great walk! Long grass! Clean trousers! Muddy puddle!’ The mind of a minature poodle is a wonderful thing – this one runs with lurchers and has the war wounds to show for it.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis
They’re not as well known as their Pembroke cousins that are so beloved by The Queen, but Cardigan Welsh corgis are small dogs with a big attitude. Not so big that they can’t be useful, though; Bella the corgi can give a 30 minute warning of an epileptic fit.
The potential dogs of No.10
Before Dilyn came along we mused over what breed he would get for No. 10. Unfortunately we weren’t right, but you can read our hypothesis here.
Tibetan terriers: Friend to the famous, lovably lively and perhaps the Kennel Club's best-kept secret
They have a starry following, but characterful Tibetan terriers are still a well-kept secret. Emma Hughes meets the best dog
Dukes and their dogs: Why Britain's aristocracy are just as mad about their canine friends as the rest of us
Stylish canines have long been a duke's or duchess's best friend, as Matthew Denison found out.
Credit: Alamy
Glen of Imaal terriers: Wilful, adorable and sadly extremely vulnerable
They’re one of our most vulnerable native breeds – but what Glen of Imaal terriers lack in numbers, they make
Which breed makes the best gundog? The pros and cons of labradors, spaniels, terriers and more
Whether you own labradors, springers, cockers or a mix of all three, debate over which gundog is best has raged
Credit: Sarah Farnsworth/Country Life
Fox-red labradors: Why red is the new black
From russet red to ever-so-slightly blushed, the fox-red is growing in popularity across the country sporting world. However, the gundog
Cavalier King Charles spaniels: Handsome, good-natured and the aristocrats of the dog world
With a silken coat, affectionate nature and boundless enthusiasm for life, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel lives up to its
Curious Questions: What dog should Boris Johnson get as the new pet for No. 10 Downing Street?
Credit: Millie Pilkington
Meet the animals who sustainably work Britain's most beautiful woodlands
From heavy horses to Longhorn cattle and snuffling truffle hounds, there’s no more satisfying way of managing our woodlands than
-
A classic oast house on the outside, a wild architectural fantasy inside, and just down the road from one of Kent's best grammar schoolsAnnabel Dixon steps inside Joldwyns, a house where even seasoned property professionals admit to being 'blown away by the incredible juxtaposition and the importance of the architectural feats'.
-
Books: In the Footsteps of the Great Artists and the Life and Work of Sir Lawrence WeaverMichael Prodger looks at Nick Trend's art-themed Italian travelogue, while John Goodall enjoys the biography of one of his predecessors in the role of architectural editor for Country Life.
-
Sophia Money-Coutts: I went to stay with a friend last weekend and my dog killed a chicken. How do I adequately apologise?Our modern etiquette columnist Sophia Money-Coutts reflects on the dark side of being a dog owner.
-
Mastiffs: Gentle giants revered by Shakespeare, feared by thieves, adored by familiesThe mastiff is England’s gentle giant.
-
‘People would rather buy 20 synthetic jumpers than a woollen one that would last them a lifetime’: The British wool trade todaySheep shearing was king in the middle ages, writes Lotte Brundle, but the rise of synthetic fibres put the industry in a woolly position. How is it faring now?
-
Bedlington terriers: The rare dog breed that conquered the coal mines and made it to CruftsThe Bedlington terrier originated in the mining towns of Northumberland, and while it might look like a lamb, it’s got the heart of a lion.
-
'A world within a world… a community with an identity, a smoothly turning cog in the wheel of royal life': A look behind the stable doors of the Royal MewsHome to carriages, coachmen and craftspeople, Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews is a village in the heart of London. It celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
-
‘We couldn’t go around digging holes in existing graveyards for fear of exhuming a real body’: The man who brought The Thursday Murder Club to the big screenLotte Brundle caught up with James Merifield, the production designer behind the new Netflix film adaptation of the Richard Osman novel, to chat about the murder mystery.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: The great porpoise panicWeek in, week out, Will Hosie rounds up the hottest topics on everyone's lips, in London and beyond.
-
The otterhound — the story behind Britain's rarest breed of dogBred for centuries to hunt otters in icy rivers, these shaggy, web-footed hounds were once favoured by royalty. Today, fewer than 1,000 survive worldwide.
