New figures show that business owners who became “dog-friendly” for the first time in 2022 reported growth of 20–50% as a result.
The data comes from DogFriendly, which claims to be the UK’s largest, most up-to-date and longest-established database of dog friendly venues in the UK, listing more than 60,000 registered businesses.
Speaking at the organisation’s annual awards event last month, DogFriendly Awards general manager James Waters said: “Our message to the business community is – it’s not just nice to have dogs, it’s good for business.
“This year, we surveyed people asking them how becoming dog-friendly affected their business. Their replies, our statistics, show businesses will increase by between 20–50% if they open their doors to dogs.”
The DogFriendly Awards, held at The Kennel Club in London and hosted by TV celebrity and BBC Radio 1 presenter Katie Thistleton, recognise and reward businesses and places that ‘go the extra mile’ for the benefit of the UK’s 12 million dogs and their owners. Winners of each category are chosen by public vote.
Awards founder Steve Bennett said: “Welcoming dogs has so many beneficial impacts on a business.
“It increases revenue and profit because people will spend more time in a pub, for example, if they have their dog with them. There is research to show people stay longer and spend more because they have the dog with them and are more likely to enter a shop if it’s dog-friendly and they have their dog with them, rather than have to leave it with a friend or tie it up outside.”
Speaking at the awards event, Pet Industry Federation (PIF) chief executive Nigel Baker has called for more action by business owners to welcome canine customers.
He said: “British businesses are moving in the direction of being dog-friendly, but there is a lot more that can be done,”
“There are people who don’t want to leave their dogs at home and want to get out and about. The more places that are dog-friendly the better. The economy will benefit as well as people will get out and bring their dog to pubs and restaurants, which we know are being hit badly at the moment.”
PIF recently launched a new training course through its sister company, the National Pet College, to encourage hospitality businesses to fully embrace the benefits of welcoming customers with dogs into their business premises.
Created in partnership with DogFriendly, the ‘Dogs In Hospitality’ course outlines the financial benefits of becoming dog-friendly and provides business owners with practical tips and advice.
DogFriendly Awards Winners
Pet Shops
WINNER: Tonys Pets and Garden Supplies, Tyne and Wear
Groomers
WINNER: Alyson’s k9 Grooming, West Glamorgan
Kennels and Homeboarding
WINNER: The Hayloft Pet Services Dog Hotel, Worcestershire
Pubs
WINNER: The Lion at Basford, Nottinghamshire
Hotels and B&B
WINNER: The Three Crowns, Devon
Restaurants & Cafes
WINNER: Doggie Diner Cromer, Norfolk
Shops
WINNER: Cardies, Hertfordshire
Camping and Caravanning
WINNER: Lynmouth Holiday Retreat, North Devon
Cottages and Self-Catering – Less than five properties
WINNER: Puddle Duck Cottages, Shropshire
Cottages and Self-Catering More than five properties
WINNER: East Ruston Cottages, Norfolk
Trainers
WINNER: The Dog Trainers (Prev. South Shields Dog Training), Tyne and Wear
Vets and Wellbeing
WINNER: Canine Massage Guild, Nationwide
Days Out
WINNER: Canine Dip and Dive Maldon, Essex
Sitters
WINNER: Four Acres Doggy Day Camp, Manchester
Walkers
WINNER: Anything’s Pawsible, Lancashire
