British Dog Fields

29/09/2024

The first British Dog Field of the Year - Congratulations Scentral Bark!

Hanging up the plaque!

28/09/2024

If you're thinking about setting up a dog field and you want a few tips to get you started - you might find these useful....

Setting up a dog field is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you haven’t done it before you can make some expensive mistakes.

27/06/2024

If you think Biodiversity Net Gain has been a little overwhelming (or deliberately shrouded in mystery if you prefer) for professionals, try being an independent land owner trying make a few quid from a simple diversification! We've worked with our planning partners to pull back the curtains a bit and try to make sense of BNG for dog field owners. Any questions, drop us a message.

https://britishdogfields.com/a-guide-to-biodiversity-net-gain-and-dog-fields/

24/06/2024

Exciting start to the week! The 5 panellists are 3/4 of the way through reviewing the short list of contenders for Dog Field of the Year! We've handed over the responsibility to 5 highly qualified individuals who have files of first hand information, photos, videos and links so they can consider each field through their own unique lens!

The disciplines they represent are:

- Veterinary Surgeon
- Behaviourist
- Fencing Specialist
- Rescue Centre Personnel
- Farm Manager

Once their independent reports are back, we will convene so they can present their final decisions and announcements will be made!

16/04/2024

This is an example of a well-intentioned but useless/ damaging instruction (see below). This is a 1 hour session and advertised as such - no buffer.

What is sounds like you're saying to me is - "It's really important that you only disturb reactive dogs and their owners for 5 minutes - no more".

This field has a waiting area in full view of the entire field - there's no escaping someone who has arrived early. It's a shame because it's advertised as suitable for reactive dogs when in all honesty, it's not at all.

If you're a field owner unsure of whether to put in a buffer, please consider it and if you have time, read this... https://britishdogfields.com/what-is-a-buffer-and-why-do-you-need-one/

02/04/2024

CONGRATULATIONS TO Kilrenny Kanines for topping the Tayside Central and Fife Dog Field of the year contest - runners up were Pawmill Dog Park and Fife Secure Dog Park! Well done all - now onto the finals where Kilrenny will be considered for the main title and Fife Secure Dog Park will be included in the All Weather class!

18/03/2024

Let's stop using the word 'Discrimination' to label fields that don't or can't allow banned breads and control order dogs. If you use language like 'We don't discriminate against...' - it's just as bad as labelling your fellow dog field owners as those who do.

This is a very small industry and casting 'indiscriminate' judgement on the people you're in the trenches with is not a good look.

You might not realise this is how it comes across (maybe you do and it's very intentional) but some softer more positive language might soften the divide that has opened up between dog field owners in recent months. You never know when you might need to stick together with a united front.

18/02/2024

Updating your field information!

For those of you who don't know, about a year ago we added a function to the website where you can update or add your dog field listing - all you need to do is click the link and it'll guide you though. You can add features, photos, video and correct any mistakes or outdated information (we're all human!). The form then goes to our long-suffering Dog Fields Support Manager (some of you have met her by email!) who has the task of verifying and processing all the updates. Please bear with us, as it can take a little time.

Independently listing each secure dog field in the UK is a huge job! County by county we research and list […]

31/12/2023

***For those of you who don’t know what to do… XL BULLIES***

You’d be forgiven for thinking that every dog field is desperately trying to accommodate XL Bullies and other banned breads. It’s simply not the case and if you are an owner of one of the dog fields that is worried about getting criticised for not wanting, or being able to service these clients, you are not alone.

There are also lots of you that are really confused – you thought your insurance would cover you and now you’re realising that many policies are holier than Swiss cheese. Some people are even under the impression that a dog owners 3rd Party Insurance means that they don’t need insurance (that’s not going to stack up in the even of an incident I’m afraid).

It’s all VERY confusing. If you are in any doubt at all as to what you are covered for or even if you want to accept XL Bullies, you can defer a decision to allow banned and control order dogs. You can change your mind at any time and you should feel absolutely no outside pressure whatever your decision.

I am acutely aware that some dog field owners are feeling enormous pressure and responsibility right now. Please know that there are a lot of dog fields in the same position as you – unsure, worried, concerned about the flakiness of their insurance, worried about getting online abuse, or who simply know that their field is unsuitable….. there are some that have tried everything to legitimise allowing XL Bullies but have hit brick walls.

As always – we’re not debating this legislation, we’re simply trying to navigate the fall out. If you would like to chat, vent or sob, please get in touch.

I’ve put off addressing the issue of the new XL Bully legislation for weeks. However, having become increasingly frustrated by […]

15/12/2023

IMPORTANT STATEMENT: DOG FIELD REGULATION

As expected, recent events have triggered government-level discussion about animal businesses operating in the UK – the intense social media chitter chatter likely playing no small part in this.

The Welsh Government are the first out of the blocks with a formal consultation period being launched – one that includes dog play parks (which dog fields fall into).

As with the insurance drama of the last few weeks, we will not be making a knee-jerk response to this news and are taking time to consult with people who are qualified to advise on what this may mean in terms of the onset of regulation for Welsh dog fields in the first instance and what will certainly spread to the rest of the UK shortly.

Once we’ve thoroughly reviewed everything relating to this, we will break it down so that you as dog field owners can understand what this might mean for you.

10/12/2023

Last few hours of voting for the Worcestershire Dog Field of the Year! (Click the link)
https://forms.gle/boEWZ1L5n2KuLX5R7
Hev's Happy Hounds Prestwood Doggy Play Park Claines Secure Dog Field Evesham dog walking Field Horsepool Dog Park Marvellous Hounds Dog Park Wickhamford Woofs - Dog Exercise Field Just a Dog in a Field Secure Dog Walking Field Tower View Dog Park Alfie's field Martha's Meadow Bromyard Dog Field OakRidge Total Dog Care Alvechurch Dog Park Bromsgrove Field Hire

Your Vote Counts! Vote for your favourite dog field in the region to be in with a chance of winning a FREE session at the dog field of your choice! The top three voted for fields will be featured in 'The Best Dog Fields in the UK' category for 2023. The winning field will receive a fabulous plaque w...

08/12/2023

TO EVERYONE OF THE 1200 DOG FIELD OWNERS IN THE UK.

I relay this information because I don’t want the entire dog field industry to find itself with huge problems because individuals have relayed horribly inaccurate information… albeit with the best intentions.

I was waiting for a formal response from the Financial Ombudsman and the Financial Conduct Authority both of whom I have been in touch with but having seen some of the misinformation that’s going around, it feels like an emergency situation that cannot wait because there are many dog field owners that are putting themselves at enormous risk because they have been been misinformed (and maybe mislead) or have blinkers on.

PLEASE, if you are one of the 1200+ dog field owners in the UK and you have not had lengthy and in-depth discussions about YOUR circumstances with YOUR insurance broker or company, do so as soon as you can.

Following detailed conversations with large and well known insurance brokers this week I implore you to ask the following questions.

If the answers to those satisfy you entirely, that your business can allow XL Bullies, off lead and unmuzzled in your field (or in your field AT ALL) and that you will be fully insured in the unlikely event that if anything happens whilst that customer is using your field that would prompt a claim, crack on.
If the answers to these questions leave you exposed as a business or a private individual, please think hard about what you are risking. (and no, your customers 3rd Party Liability cover will not protect you in the way that you think it will).

1) Is the information I am basing my decisions on driven SPECIFICALLY by my insurer and relating to MY personal policy and circumstances (not what you’ve heard other people with your policy say)
2) Have I been 100% open and honest with my insurer about my circumstances – the specifics on my fencing, security measures, public footpaths etc – even when not specifically asked (have you left gaps in information they could use to refuse a claim)
3) Am I insured if there is a CLAIM relating to an XL Bully (or type) in my field after the 31st December 2023 – not will you cover my field generally, but will you cover an XL Bully related incident (THIS IS CRITCAL)
4) Are there any exclusions at all on my policy that would leave me exposed if an XL Bully customer where to be using my field at the time of an incident?
5) Do you consider my land to be PRIVATE when in use by the public and if so can you provide written confirmation of that
6) Does my fencing meet the standards of secure?

Please, please think very carefully and make informed decisions.

05/12/2023

Bit of light reading - 323 A4 pages... if anyone would like a copy, please get in touch.... I will precis for BDF Members in the membership portal!
'Dogs and the Criminology of Control - A case study of contemporary policy making in England and Wales'.