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Dogs are our constant companions, providing us with unconditional love (whether or not we deserve it), somebody to talk to, emotional support a form of entertainment and free exercise. They give so much, yet demand so little — so a stylish treat, or two, is really the least they deserve.
Spoiling our dogs isn’t a new phenomenon. Ancient Egyptians are credited as the first to engrave their dogs’ collars — some were made of precious metals — with names; Cher Ami, the beloved greyhound of France's Louis XI, pranced about with one made of scarlet-coloured velvet, studded with rubies and pearls. Henry III, also of France, tied decorative ribbons around his own neck and suspended a necklace-like basket from them for carrying his bichon dogs and spaniels. Though Queen Elizabeth II didn’t dress up her corgis and dorgis (dachshund-corgi crosses), she did like to present them with personalised stockings at Christmas, stuffed full of toys and treats. Year-round, the royal menagerie enjoyed a regularly-changing menu of fresh beef, lamb and rabbit from the royal estates.
In 1787, the third Duke of Richmond enlisted architect James Wyatt to construct kennels for his hounds at the Goodwood Estate. He allocated considerable resources to the project and it resulted in ‘the most luxurious dog house in the world’, with central heating long before Goodwood House was so-equipped. In 2022, The Duchess Paddock, in the grounds of The Kennels, played host to the inaugural Goodwoof festival, welcoming dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes to the inaugural — and their owners. The wonderfully witty weekend celebrating all things canine, returned for its fourth year this weekend (check back on Tuesday for our full report) and the programme comprises world-class eventing, talks and demonstrations, a Barkitecture competition (kennel architecture) and plenty of playtime. This year will also pay special tribute to the unsung role that dogs played in the Second World War.
According to Charles Gordon-Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond, the 3rd Duke’s philosophy was that people ‘would far rather spend time and money on their dogs than they would their human guests’, and who are we to argue? Scroll down to explore our selection of the chicest canine products on the market; alternatively, treat your favourite furry friend to the ultimate pampering treatment at Liberty...
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Bowood: A tale of demolition, rebirth and the visionary owner who threw open the gates of one of Britain's greatest estatesIt is 70 years since Bowood assumed its modern form. John Goodall looks at the evolution of the house, the remarkable figures associated with it, and its recent development.
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An effortlessly contemporary home in Surrey for quiet contemplationGraylings in the Surrey Hills was designed by Baufritz and is a delight of modern design.
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One puffin, two puffin, three puffin, four: The National Trust’s puffin count gets underway on the Farne IslandsThough the islands' shags and terns are in decline, its puffin population has been growing — and the trust is streaming a live recording of their burrows.
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The Swatch ScubAqua collection is ‘a Woolworths pick-and-mix counter for your wrist’The 1990s wasn't horology’s most glittering decade, but with the decade firmly back in style, watchmakers are keen to give it all another go.
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Urban beekeeping — from the illegal rooftop hives in New York City to Chelsea Flower ShowThe Tuesday of Chelsea (May 20) is World Bee Day; to celebrate The London Honey Company is sponsoring the Show's Bees of Development Balcony Garden.
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Living La Dolce Vita: Skye McAlpine's Italian-inspired pop-up opens in BelgraviaHer new tableware shopping experience in central London showcases the writer and founder of Tavola's love of Venice.
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Behind the secret garden door at 10, Downing StreetBut don't expect to meet Larry the cat, or like him, for that matter.
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Game, set, match: Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti join the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic line-up at London's Hurlingham ClubThe Danish player, ranked number nine in the world, and the Italian, ranked 11th, will both take to the courts at the 150-year-old Hurlingham Club in London.
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Lights, camera, country house, action: The gorgeous estates where The Gentlemen and Bridgerton were filmedBadminton House in Gloucestershire, seat of the Dukes of Beaufort, is rarely open to the public but has had plenty of screentime in hit TV shows.
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Chelsea Flower Show 2025: The first garden designed by a dogMonty Don and his dog, Ned, have collaborated on a show garden at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.
