Country Life's 10 best dog stories of 2021
From Border Terriers to the unwritten rules of walking your dog, here are the highlights of a year's worth of dog tales.

The top 20 cutest dog breeds in the world, ranked according to science
Ranking the cuteness of dogs? You might as well rank the beauty of flowers,' we wrote of the science behind this list. But it's hard to deny that it's a fascinating look at what we love about dogs.
The ten unwritten rules of walking your dog – and how to follow them
There are some things that nobody will tell you before you get a dog. Until now, that is.
The champion dog trainer with a game-changing method who can teach any dog new tricks
Ben Randall showed our own Paula Lester some of his wonderful dog training tips in October — and if you enjoyed this piece, the good news is that Ben will start writing for Country Life in 2022.
West Highland Terriers: The dogs that are clever, funny and inquisitive, with an irresistibly smiley demeanour and a skip in their step
Few dogs have as much character as Westies — as the sometimes hair-raising tales in this piece show.
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Golden retrievers: The gorgeous dogs that bring friendship, loyalty and love
Some call the golden retriever the ‘dumb blonde’ of the dog world, but those who know them know differently.
How to choose the perfect dog to fit your lifestyle, family and home
You might already know what sort of dog you'd like — if not, this is the place to start.
Border terriers: The dogs with endless energy that still love a cuddle on the sofa
No less an authority than tennis legend Andy Murray provided the headline for this article — how's that for celebrity endorsement of a dog breed?
The six most destructive dog breeds
Hide your food. Hide your shoes. Hide your magazines. Hide everything.
The Lakeland terrier: ‘A hard-working handful’
The dog that'll keep going all day, in all weather. The big question is whether you can keep up.
Curious Questions: Why can’t we resist puppy dog eyes?
It's no accident that your heart melts when dogs gaze into your eyes, as Martin Fone explains.
Credit: Getty Images
Labradors: The all-action dogs that are just as happy lazing on the sofa as saving lives
An all-action working dog that's never happier than when lazing on the sofa? That's the labrador for you. We take
Sheepdog trials: How farmers' bluster has led to 150 years of enthralling, fascinating competition
The original working trials may have stemmed from banter over whose border collie was better, but, as members of the
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
If only dogs could talk: Reading the minds of Britain's 11 most popular breeds, from Labradors to Westies
Do pooches really take on the characteristics of their so-called owners? Rupert Uloth spoke to some of Britain’s most popular
Labradoodles: The ultimate companion, from allergy-compatible guide dog to beloved family pet
In the past 30 years, this well-mannered crossbreed has stolen our hearts, yet the man responsible has likened it to
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.
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How an app can make you fall in love with nature, with Melissa Harrison
The novelist, children's author and nature writer Melissa Harrison joins the podcast to talk about her love of the natural world and her new app, Encounter.
By James Fisher
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'There is nothing like it on this side of Arcadia': Hampshire's Grange Festival is making radical changes ahead of the 2025 country-house opera season
By Annunciata Elwes
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'There is nothing like it on this side of Arcadia': Hampshire's Grange Festival is making radical changes ahead of the 2025 country-house opera season
By Annunciata Elwes
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Arthur Parkinson: I am a cleaner, security guard and matron to my happy hens
In his first regular chicken-keeping column for ‘Country Life’, Arthur Parkinson introduces his brood and touches on the importance of good housekeeping.
By Arthur Parkinson
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Is anyone more superstitious than a sports star?
When it comes to worrying about omens and portents, nobody gets quite so worked up as our sportsmen and women.
By Harry Pearson
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The humble hazel dormouse — 'the flagship species of the health of our countryside'
The sleepy and very sweet hazel dormouse is one of Britain's rarest mammals.
By Jack Watkins
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The grass is always greener: Follow in the footsteps of Sir Andy Murray and play in The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic
There’s no better time of year than the summer grass court tennis season.
By Rosie Paterson
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You've gotta catch them all: Everything you need to know about London's giant Easter egg hunt
Fortnum & Mason, Anya Hindmarch and Chopard are among the companies that have lent a creative hand.
By Amie Elizabeth White
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The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West Sussex
Although the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
By Rosie Paterson
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Can't you hear me S.O.S? Our treasured native dog breeds are at risk of extinction
Do you know your Kerry blue terrier from your Lancashire heeler? A simple lack of publicity is often to blame for some of the UK's native dog breeds flying dangerously low under-the-radar.
By Victoria Marston