Dogs at polling stations: The 2019 'Christmas Election' special
There's no getting away from it: elections are depressing. Thankfully, the dog-owning voters of Britain are on-hand to make it a bit more fun.

Nobody is quite sure where or when the whole 'dogs at polling stations' phenomenon started, but on a gloomy December day we're very glad of it to inject a bit of sunshine.
Two-year-old Nero looks like he's suffering a similar level of existential crisis to the rest of us.
Turtle, cousin to our property editor Annunciata Elwes, hasn't brought his polling card but defies you to turn him away at the door (remember, you don't need your polling card to vote!).
Parsley, Country Life's resident pug and cousin to Turtle, looks entirely dashing as he steps up to cast his vote into the mix.
We're so glad that Imogen Taylor's wonderful Cookie cheered up some people in the queues this morning!
16-year-old Cleo, pictured with Travel Editor Rosie Paterson's mum, actually made it into the polling station itself – we can only imagine in some sort of handbag.
Rosie Stimson, beloved lab of local councillor Donna Stimson (and Social Media / Deputy Digital Editor Ally Fraser) is very concerned about biodiversity in Berkshire and wants new places to play – although that doesn't stop her from jumping in at the same spot on the Thames every single day. In mid-winter.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Basil, beloved by Annabel Mackie, is eyeing up the weather as suspiciously as he ought to, given the gale coming our way.
Rich, below, and our deputy features editor Victoria Marston (whose dog Dolly is pictured above) showed how it's done with early-morning snaps.
There's something noble about Rich's pooch – he definitely knows how important his vote is.
Standing proud, Rox has got a decent Instagram following of her own, but luckily her Mum decided to share this one of her voting today.
No guesses who Eddie (dog of Octavia Pollock, Senior Sub-Editor at Country Life) voted for!
A quick dash out in the rain for Frida and Diego in the South Downs!
Mickey, a very handsome boy, clearly wants to get a move on to exercise his democratic right.
Jerry, the lovely greyhound of Rachael Turner, is decidedly less than thrilled at his position in this photo – we've been assured that he's currently inside once more and warm!
For this year, turnout has been predicted to be low due to a combination of cold weather and election fatigue. Nobody told the dogs of Dulwich that, as they turned up en masse.
Love the look on that little guy at the bottom — he looks like he's been up all night fretting on the Corbyn v Johnson conundrum.
Speaking of election fatigue, though, not everyone seems to be delighted about another poll taking place:
Others are full of enthusiasm:
Always nice to see a first-timer. He'll come to look forward to what was once an every-five-years thing but which is now probably going to be an annual ritual. Especially if the last few polls of Wednesday are to be believed.
Speaking of what might happen in the election itself, tactical voting may play a part — and the dogs are helping spread that message too.
Some of the dogs and their owners clearly had more serious things on their minds than which fancy dress to wear:
Those who don't have dogs tried to find other ways to get involved:
And finally, the #dogsatpollingstations movement — if that's the right word — is now so popular that other animals are trying to get in on the act:
That's right — a sly fox.
Finally, here's dear Bentley, John Malone's dog. John voted by postal vote but Bentley made his opinions known by throwing up outside the polling station this morning. Oh dear.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in years
The ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
-
A bridge just far enough: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 4, 2025
Lions, castles and even a couple of US-themed questions for the 4th of July in Friday's Quiz of the Day.
-
West London's spent the last two decades as the laughing stock of the style set — here's how it got its groove back
The style set is returning to the very West London neighbourhoods it once made a habit of spurning, finds Will Hosie.
-
Peregrine falcons went to the edge of extinction in the 1960s — today, there are more of them than at any time since the Middle Ages
In the latest instalment of Mark Cocker's 'Winging it' column, he looks at the peregrine, a bird of prey with astonishing speed and super strength.
-
Rogue sellers and puppy farmers are exploiting Government licensing loopholes at the expense of responsible dog breeders, says The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club launched a report in the House of Commons last week calling for an urgent review of current licensing regulations.
-
Beyond Stonehenge: The ancient moorland megaliths and grand stone rings that you can enjoy without the tourist hordes
With their potent blend of wild looks and mystery, Britain’s ancient sites have an enduring magnetism — and there are far more of them than you might imagine.
-
40 miles of racket strings, 55,000 balls and 2.5 million strawberries: Wimbledon by the numbers
How many strawberries are consumed, how many petunias purchased and just how much racket string is required at the world’s oldest tennis championships? Lotte Brundle serves up the numbers.
-
Chatsworth's winning £4 million Lottery ticket means it can restore beloved water feature
The Chatsworth House Trust will use the money from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore their Cascade — beloved by Alan Titchmarsh.
-
Hope from the ashes: This new generation of ash trees is more resistant to dieback
When ash dieback first arrived in Britain, in 2012, an emergency COBRA meeting was formed. The disease has since spread rampantly across the countryside, but there is still hope.
-
From the Country Life archive: The 19th century answer to Swingball
Every Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.