A pub that hangs Christmas stockings out for its four-legged punters, a Tearoom that’s been described as a ‘haven in an anti dog area’ and a B&B that provides dog agility equipment for its guests are amongst the winners of the Kennel Club’s annual Open for Dogs awards, H&C has learned.

The eight winners, in seven different categories, were nominated by their customers on account of their dog friendly credentials, in the Kennel Club’s second annual competition. The categories were Somewhere to Eat, Somewhere to Drink, Somewhere to Sleep, Somewhere to Holiday, Somewhere to Visit, Somewhere to Work and Other. The proud winners received their prizes at Discover Dogs, which took place on 14 to15 November at Earls Court.

It seems that more and more businesses are following the lead of the Open for Dogs award winners and recognising the importance of reaching out to the nation’s eight million dog owners.

According to research conducted by the Kennel Club, businesses are claiming that the key to business success comes in the unusual shape of our four-legged friends. A staggering four out of five businesses claim that their dog friendly policy has helped them to draw in more customers in difficult financial times.

The Kennel Club has also found that 95 per cent of people think more businesses and locations should be Open for Dogs, and that dogs improve the atmosphere of a place, and 77 per cent think that dogs help to reduce stress.

Speaking about the Open for Dogs Awards, Caroline Kisko, Secretary for the Kennel Club, said: “We have been really impressed by the wide range of services and facilities that are being provided to make dogs and their owners feel welcome, since launching the Open for Dogs Campaign in 2006. Our aim was always to help make places more friendly towards dogs and their owners and this competition really highlights the crème de la crème.

“We thought it was really interesting to see that now, in these tough financial times, businesses are seeing more clearly than ever the benefits that can be gained by reaching out to dog owners, who are always looking for somewhere that they can go with their dogs. It makes no sense to exclude customers who are happy to give you their business – especially when dogs actually enhance the appeal of a place, amongst dog owners and non dog owners alike.”

The winners of the Open for Dogs competition agree that being kind to their doggie customers, is helping them to achieve good business results. Keris De Villiers, manager of the Nightingale pub in Balham, which won the Somewhere to Drink award, can testify to this.

She said: “These aren’t the kindest of times for the Great British Pub but our business is definitely booming as a result of being dog friendly because dog owners provide a massive customer base. And the other customers love having the dogs around – after all pubs are social places and dogs are great conversation starters – so it’s a win-win situation.

“We are over the moon to have won the Open for Dogs award. We always go that extra mile to make dogs and their owners welcome in our pub and are already getting prepared to make our regular four legged punters some Christmas stockings!”

The winners of the Kennel Club Open for Dogs Awards 2009 are:

Somewhere to Sleep: Low Nest Farm B&B, Cumbria.
Provides doggy bags for guests, welcome treats on arrival, dog towels and blankets, and a dog walking service. They also have dog agility equipment and provide packs including information on dog friendly places in the area. A visitor said ‘my dogs were not only accommodated but very much welcomed’.

Somewhere to Eat: Café Cree, Dumfries and Galloway and Highdown Tearooms, West Sussex.
Joint winners:
Café Cree - biscuits and water are provided, as well as a welcoming atmosphere and lots of fuss! Visitors say ‘it’s refreshing to see a ‘food’ place that welcomes dogs’ which it does with open arms.

Highdown Tearooms – dogs are allowed inside and out, with a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Described by visitors as a ‘haven in an anti dog area’. Provides bowls that are always full of water, and treats for the dogs.

Somewhere to Drink: The Nightingale, London.
Provides Christmas stockings to all dogs, and biscuits and water, with dogs being able to eat with their owners. It has a great outdoor space and a fireplace which the dogs socialise in front of, described by visitors as ‘a real community asset’. A charity walk takes place every year for people to do with their dogs, at which the dogs receive medals.

Somewhere to Holiday: Helsbury Park, Cornwall.
Provide throws and sofa covers for the dogs, as well as poo bags and portable drinks carriers. It is described by visitors as ‘a real haven for owners and dogs alike’ and has 100 acres of open land to walk dogs off lead. It also provides a welcome pack with details of other dog friendly places and doggy treats.

Somewhere to Visit: Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Essex.
Provides water bowls, and has an open door policy for all dogs across the whole site. Also runs competitions for dog owners, including a Companion Dog show in September and Scruffts heats in July.

Somewhere to Work: The Crown Inn, Worcestershire.
Staff find the friendly and relaxing atmosphere of welcoming dogs a lovely environment to work in and consider fussing the dogs as part of the job! Customers also highlighted always being made welcome with their dogs as well as having their dogs be able to socialise with other four-legged friends. Drinks are provided for the dogs.

Other – Petstums pet shop, Warwickshire.
Provides great advice to customers, and is described by visitors as somewhere that ‘goes that extra mile’. The owners always provide water and free samples, and are welcoming and love fussing the dogs.