If you don’t drive and you own a dog (or are planning to get one) working out how to get around with your dog can be a challenge. Public transport like busses and trains aren’t a good fit for all dogs, although many take such journeys in their stride; but even if your area is well served with such transport links, the chances are at some point they will fall short.

Even for people who do drive, you might not always be able to transport your dog in this way; if your car is out of service, for instance, or you’ve had a drink and the dog suddenly needs to see the vet.

This means that you might be wondering if dogs can travel in taxis, if there is a blanket rule on this, and if black cabs or other alternative services are obliged to take dogs.

This article will answer all of your questions about whether or not you can take a dog in a taxi, including black cabs, private hire cabs, Uber travel, and similar services. Read on to learn more.

Can you take a dog in a black cab?

When it comes to black cabs that you can hail in the street or find operating from a taxi rank without the need to pre-book your journey, whether or not you can take your dog in the taxi is at the discretion of the driver.

If you’re trying to flag down a cab with your dog, the driver may not stop if they don’t like the look of your dog or don’t want to take dogs in general.

At a taxi rank where you have to take the first taxi in the queue, if they don’t want to carry your dog, it is ok to go down the line asking others.

Many if not most black cabs will carry dogs that are well behaved and when approached politely, but they are not obliged to.

Can you take a dog in a private hire vehicle?

Once more, taking a dog in a private hire vehicle is at the discretion of the company and/or driver.

You must mention that you want to take a dog when you call or book; never just assume that it will be ok. The company might need to send a certain car, or have some drivers who will take dogs and others that won’t.

Whether or not they take you may also depend on the size of the dog, and you may be given directions such as keeping the dog on the lead which you should do anyway!

Most private hire companies that operate a reasonable number of cars will be able to accommodate a dog with notice, but they are not obliged to.

Can you take a dog in an Addison Lee taxi?

Addison Lee, which serves London and surrounding areas, has an option on their mobile booking app to request a pet-friendly taxi; this enables you to ensure your dog will be transported.

If you call or book by other means, again, you will need to ask for a dog-friendly driver. As with the prior options, Addison Lee isn’t obliged to carry a dog, but as a very large company and with prior notice, you should not have a problem.

Can you take a dog in an Uber?

Whether or not you can take a dog in an Uber is down to the discretion of your driver, and at present, their booking app doesn’t give you an option to inform or ask about carriage for the dog.

You need to book your journey as normal using the Uber app, then as soon as it is confirmed, call the driver you’re allocated with to check that taking your dog is ok. Not all drivers will say yes, so be prepared to try again if needed.

Can you take a dog in a Lyft?

Lyft has a similar policy to Uber when it comes to whether or not a Lyft will take dogs. This is down to the discretion of the Lyft driver, and again, as soon as your Lyft is confirmed, call the driver directly to ask them.

Are any taxi or ride companies obliged to carry dogs?

No taxi, ride share, private hire, or ride hailing app is obliged to carry pet dogs for any reason, even in the case of a veterinary emergency.

However, all such services are obliged to carry assistance dogs like Guide Dogs. You’re not obliged to tell the company or driver first in this instance; but doing so can be helpful as they might be able to send a more dog-suitable vehicle.

Are there extra charges for dogs in taxis?

Some companies may charge a supplement for carrying a dog, although this is not the norm and to make such a charge, you must have this explained to you in full and agreed with you prior to the trip

If your dog makes a mess in the vehicle (such as by toileting, throwing up, or shedding a lot of hair), you will be expected to pay the standard fee for cleaning etc., and should do so without any fuss!

If you don’t drive and you own a dog (or are planning to get one) working out how to get around with your dog can be a challenge. Public transport like busses and trains aren’t a good fit for all dogs, although many take such journeys in their stride; but even if your area is well served with such transport links, the chances are at some point they will fall short.

Even for people who do drive, you might not always be able to transport your dog in this way; if your car is out of service, for instance, or you’ve had a drink and the dog suddenly needs to see the vet.

This means that you might be wondering if dogs can travel in taxis, if there is a blanket rule on this, and if black cabs or other alternative services are obliged to take dogs.

This article will answer all of your questions about whether or not you can take a dog in a taxi, including black cabs, private hire cabs, Uber travel, and similar services. Read on to learn more.

Can you take a dog in a black cab?

When it comes to black cabs that you can hail in the street or find operating from a taxi rank without the need to pre-book your journey, whether or not you can take your dog in the taxi is at the discretion of the driver.

If you’re trying to flag down a cab with your dog, the driver may not stop if they don’t like the look of your dog or don’t want to take dogs in general.

At a taxi rank where you have to take the first taxi in the queue, if they don’t want to carry your dog, it is ok to go down the line asking others.

Many if not most black cabs will carry dogs that are well behaved and when approached politely, but they are not obliged to.

Can you take a dog in a private hire vehicle?

Once more, taking a dog in a private hire vehicle is at the discretion of the company and/or driver.

You must mention that you want to take a dog when you call or book; never just assume that it will be ok. The company might need to send a certain car, or have some drivers who will take dogs and others that won’t.

Whether or not they take you may also depend on the size of the dog, and you may be given directions such as keeping the dog on the lead which you should do anyway!

Most private hire companies that operate a reasonable number of cars will be able to accommodate a dog with notice, but they are not obliged to.

Can you take a dog in an Addison Lee taxi?

Addison Lee, which serves London and surrounding areas, has an option on their mobile booking app to request a pet-friendly taxi; this enables you to ensure your dog will be transported.

If you call or book by other means, again, you will need to ask for a dog-friendly driver. As with the prior options, Addison Lee isn’t obliged to carry a dog, but as a very large company and with prior notice, you should not have a problem.

Can you take a dog in an Uber?

Whether or not you can take a dog in an Uber is down to the discretion of your driver, and at present, their booking app doesn’t give you an option to inform or ask about carriage for the dog.

You need to book your journey as normal using the Uber app, then as soon as it is confirmed, call the driver you’re allocated with to check that taking your dog is ok. Not all drivers will say yes, so be prepared to try again if needed.

Can you take a dog in a Lyft?

Lyft has a similar policy to Uber when it comes to whether or not a Lyft will take dogs. This is down to the discretion of the Lyft driver, and again, as soon as your Lyft is confirmed, call the driver directly to ask them.

Are any taxi or ride companies obliged to carry dogs?

No taxi, ride share, private hire, or ride hailing app is obliged to carry pet dogs for any reason, even in the case of a veterinary emergency.

However, all such services are obliged to carry assistance dogs like Guide Dogs. You’re not obliged to tell the company or driver first in this instance; but doing so can be helpful as they might be able to send a more dog-suitable vehicle.

Are there extra charges for dogs in taxis?

Some companies may charge a supplement for carrying a dog, although this is not the norm and to make such a charge, you must have this explained to you in full and agreed with you prior to the trip

If your dog makes a mess in the vehicle (such as by toileting, throwing up, or shedding a lot of hair), you will be expected to pay the standard fee for cleaning etc., and should do so without any fuss!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Crufts, you probably already realise that you’re looking at a long and busy day out with much of it spent on your feet and a lot to see and do when you get there.

The Crufts doors open just after 8am and don’t close until 6.30pm, and whilst many people bow out way before closing out of sheer exhaustion, you certainly won’t run out of things to see and do there if you do intend to really get your money’s worth and spend the whole day at the NEC.

However, taking too much stuff with you that you don’t need and that just weighs you down or slows you down can really affect your comfort on the day, and wear you out faster too.

Whether that turns out to be a pair of shoes that you thought were comfortable but that you can’t stand to continue on by lunchtime or too many flimsy shopping bags cutting into your palms, the smallest things can really affect how much you enjoy your time at Crufts, and of course, you might not find out what they are until it’s too late!

There is a compromise to be had between ensuring you don’t forget something that you’ll really wish you had on the day, and not carrying any more than you need to… But if you’ve never been to Crufts before and have a list of things you think you might need but can’t decide on, this article will tell you five things you’ll definitely want to leave at home. Read on to learn what not to take to Crufts 2020.

Your dog

First of all, if you’ve never been to Crufts before you might well assume that if there was anywhere you could take your own dog to, this would surely be it… But this is not true!

The general public can’t take their own pet dogs to Crufts, and only assistance dogs, and dogs that are competing or otherwise formally invited are permitted into the NEC arena. If you turn up with your dog on the day, you, and they, will be turned away.

Also, your dog would be a massive inconvenience to you anyway, and they probably won’t enjoy the day-long crowds.

Heavy coats and bulky jumpers

Whilst March (when Crufts is held) is hardly the warmest month of the year, the NEC itself is very warm, and even more so when it is full of tens of thousands of dogs and people.

The arena seating areas in particular can be uncomfortably warm, when you add in the hot lights and walking around all day, you are not going to be chilly.

This means that a big, heavy coat or thick jumper will soon make you uncomfortably hot, and be bulky and inconvenient to carry. Try to stick to lighter layers you can stow away easily when you get inside, or leave bulkier clothing at the cloakroom until you leave.

Your best outfit or funky shoes

Whilst the dogs themselves at Crufts might look like they spend more time at the hairdressers than the average couture model (and quite possibly do) Crufts is not a fashion show for people! Competing exhibitors and judges tend to dress smartly and often stylishly in the ring, but even among them, you’ll notice a theme of sensible, sturdy shoes and outfits.

Crufts is absolutely not the place to wear your best gear, high heels or even flashiest trainers; you’ll get them in a mess, they might not be comfortable all day, and they’re apt to get covered in dog slobber and hair.

Pay particular attention to picking out sensible shoes, as you might easily walk 8-10 miles just within the NEC if you’re at the show all day.

Your car

It is fair to say that the NEC is well served with parking, but even so, this is apt to be full or almost full for Crufts, unless you book a space in advance. Even if you do get a space, car parking at the NEC during Crufts is incredibly expensive, and you might be amazed (and dismayed) at how far your car is from the entrance.

Some of the more distant car parks do run a shuttle bus service to and from the NEC arena; but these waste time waiting for them and in transit, so they’re not really ideal if your plan for taking the car was to pop back to it throughout the day to offload shopping and so on.

Anyone who is not 100% up for it

Finally, if you’re going to Crufts with a friend or family member, make sure they’re as enthused about going as you are; anyone who is a bit reluctant or who is only going along to humour you is not going to enjoy their day, and won’t be much fun after the first couple of hours either.

Plenty of people go to Crufts on their own and it is as a whole very friendly and social, and many areas of the country are also served by bus company tours to the event, which many people often go on unaccompanied.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Crufts, you probably already realise that you’re looking at a long and busy day out with much of it spent on your feet and a lot to see and do when you get there.

The Crufts doors open just after 8am and don’t close until 6.30pm, and whilst many people bow out way before closing out of sheer exhaustion, you certainly won’t run out of things to see and do there if you do intend to really get your money’s worth and spend the whole day at the NEC.

However, taking too much stuff with you that you don’t need and that just weighs you down or slows you down can really affect your comfort on the day, and wear you out faster too.

Whether that turns out to be a pair of shoes that you thought were comfortable but that you can’t stand to continue on by lunchtime or too many flimsy shopping bags cutting into your palms, the smallest things can really affect how much you enjoy your time at Crufts, and of course, you might not find out what they are until it’s too late!

There is a compromise to be had between ensuring you don’t forget something that you’ll really wish you had on the day, and not carrying any more than you need to… But if you’ve never been to Crufts before and have a list of things you think you might need but can’t decide on, this article will tell you five things you’ll definitely want to leave at home. Read on to learn what not to take to Crufts 2020.

Your dog

First of all, if you’ve never been to Crufts before you might well assume that if there was anywhere you could take your own dog to, this would surely be it… But this is not true!

The general public can’t take their own pet dogs to Crufts, and only assistance dogs, and dogs that are competing or otherwise formally invited are permitted into the NEC arena. If you turn up with your dog on the day, you, and they, will be turned away.

Also, your dog would be a massive inconvenience to you anyway, and they probably won’t enjoy the day-long crowds.

Heavy coats and bulky jumpers

Whilst March (when Crufts is held) is hardly the warmest month of the year, the NEC itself is very warm, and even more so when it is full of tens of thousands of dogs and people.

The arena seating areas in particular can be uncomfortably warm, when you add in the hot lights and walking around all day, you are not going to be chilly.

This means that a big, heavy coat or thick jumper will soon make you uncomfortably hot, and be bulky and inconvenient to carry. Try to stick to lighter layers you can stow away easily when you get inside, or leave bulkier clothing at the cloakroom until you leave.

Your best outfit or funky shoes

Whilst the dogs themselves at Crufts might look like they spend more time at the hairdressers than the average couture model (and quite possibly do) Crufts is not a fashion show for people! Competing exhibitors and judges tend to dress smartly and often stylishly in the ring, but even among them, you’ll notice a theme of sensible, sturdy shoes and outfits.

Crufts is absolutely not the place to wear your best gear, high heels or even flashiest trainers; you’ll get them in a mess, they might not be comfortable all day, and they’re apt to get covered in dog slobber and hair.

Pay particular attention to picking out sensible shoes, as you might easily walk 8-10 miles just within the NEC if you’re at the show all day.

Your car

It is fair to say that the NEC is well served with parking, but even so, this is apt to be full or almost full for Crufts, unless you book a space in advance. Even if you do get a space, car parking at the NEC during Crufts is incredibly expensive, and you might be amazed (and dismayed) at how far your car is from the entrance.

Some of the more distant car parks do run a shuttle bus service to and from the NEC arena; but these waste time waiting for them and in transit, so they’re not really ideal if your plan for taking the car was to pop back to it throughout the day to offload shopping and so on.

Anyone who is not 100% up for it

Finally, if you’re going to Crufts with a friend or family member, make sure they’re as enthused about going as you are; anyone who is a bit reluctant or who is only going along to humour you is not going to enjoy their day, and won’t be much fun after the first couple of hours either.

Plenty of people go to Crufts on their own and it is as a whole very friendly and social, and many areas of the country are also served by bus company tours to the event, which many people often go on unaccompanied.

Often hailed as “the world’s most famous dog show,” Crufts is the Kennel Club’s largest and most prestigious annual event, held in March of each year and attended by visitors and competitors who travel from all over the world.

Whilst Crufts is not everyone’s cup of tea and it is always to some extent controversial – in some years, more than others – as is the Kennel Club itself, it is one of those events that is worth visiting at least once if you’re a dog lover, even if only to see if you love it or hate it!

If you’ve never been to Crufts before and are planning your day out or a longer trip to the event, there may well be a lot of questions you want to find out ahead of time about Crufts 2020, in order to ensure that things run smoothly on the day.

With this in mind, this article will answer seven of the most frequently asked questions people have about visiting the Crufts dog show 2020, to make sure your visit goes to plan and without problems!

Can you take your own dog to Crufts?

You might think that Crufts is the ultimate dog-friendly day out, but you can’t take your own dog to Crufts 2020 unless it is a competitor or otherwise invited, such as a dog that is part of an event or display. The only exception to this is of course for assistance dogs.

If you turn up with your own dog on the day otherwise, you won’t be permitted to take them in!

Can you take your own food and drink to Crufts?

Yes, you can take your own food and drink into Crufts, and there are also a huge number of different types of food and drink stalls inside of the NEC where you can buy meals, snacks and drinks to keep you going. Queues for these can be long at popular times, however!

Do you have to queue for a long time to get into Crufts?

That really depends on when you go. If you arrive at opening time when everyone is waiting to get in, the queues will be longer than they will a little later in the day, but on the flipside, the admission booths are well staffed and the queues tend to move relatively quickly.

You can save queuing time by pre-booking tickets; and also, bear in mind that the roads and rail links to the NEC arena will be busier than normal too, so plan your journey accordingly.

What should you wear to go to Crufts 2020?

The NEC arena is very large and you’ll cover a lot of ground and do a lot of miles getting around it and seeing everything, and so the most important thing to wear is sensible and supportive footwear, to make sure you’re comfortable all day. You might also want to take a change of shoes for if your feet need a break.

Whilst some competitors and also the judges dress very smartly and formally, there is no dress code or expectations of what visitors will wear, and jeans, trainers, tracksuits, or whatever you feel comfortable in are all perfectly fine.

Can you touch the dogs and meet the competitors at Crufts?

You can meet a whole host of dogs at Crufts in the “meet the breeds” area, and you can get very close to competing dogs too when they’re kennelled between classes. Rehoming shelters, charities, and a range of other displays and stalls all have dogs to meet too.

There are also of course loads of dogs being moved around, walked and so on, so basically no shortage of dogs in general.

However, apply the same rules as you would with meeting strange dogs anywhere; ask if you can pet them, be gracious if you’re told no for any reason, and pick your moment; someone grooming a dog or waiting to be called into the ring is unlikely to be that up for a chat!

Can you buy a dog at Crufts?

You can’t buy a dog at Crufts, as in, you can’t turn up on the day and see dogs for sale and pick one to take home. That would be an irresponsible way to both buy and sell dogs! However, if you’re in the market for a new dog, going to Crufts 2020 can be really helpful.

You can visit the “meet the breeds” area for inspiration, see and talk to the owners of all manner of dogs of different breeds, and also, a large number of dog rehoming shelters and charities attend stalls at Crufts, and it is always worth talking to them about rehoming one of their charges.

Is Crufts being shown on TV?

If you can’t make it to Crufts 2020 in person or want to recap the event and make sure you didn’t miss anything, the whole of the Crufts event it televised, and can be viewed on Channel 4 and More 4. You can also see live streams of some of the Crufts 2020 events online too, as well as following the event on social media via the Kennel Club’s accounts on various platforms.

Often hailed as “the world’s most famous dog show,” Crufts is the Kennel Club’s largest and most prestigious annual event, held in March of each year and attended by visitors and competitors who travel from all over the world.

Whilst Crufts is not everyone’s cup of tea and it is always to some extent controversial – in some years, more than others – as is the Kennel Club itself, it is one of those events that is worth visiting at least once if you’re a dog lover, even if only to see if you love it or hate it!

If you’ve never been to Crufts before and are planning your day out or a longer trip to the event, there may well be a lot of questions you want to find out ahead of time about Crufts 2020, in order to ensure that things run smoothly on the day.

With this in mind, this article will answer seven of the most frequently asked questions people have about visiting the Crufts dog show 2020, to make sure your visit goes to plan and without problems!

Can you take your own dog to Crufts?

You might think that Crufts is the ultimate dog-friendly day out, but you can’t take your own dog to Crufts 2020 unless it is a competitor or otherwise invited, such as a dog that is part of an event or display. The only exception to this is of course for assistance dogs.

If you turn up with your own dog on the day otherwise, you won’t be permitted to take them in!

Can you take your own food and drink to Crufts?

Yes, you can take your own food and drink into Crufts, and there are also a huge number of different types of food and drink stalls inside of the NEC where you can buy meals, snacks and drinks to keep you going. Queues for these can be long at popular times, however!

Do you have to queue for a long time to get into Crufts?

That really depends on when you go. If you arrive at opening time when everyone is waiting to get in, the queues will be longer than they will a little later in the day, but on the flipside, the admission booths are well staffed and the queues tend to move relatively quickly.

You can save queuing time by pre-booking tickets; and also, bear in mind that the roads and rail links to the NEC arena will be busier than normal too, so plan your journey accordingly.

What should you wear to go to Crufts 2020?

The NEC arena is very large and you’ll cover a lot of ground and do a lot of miles getting around it and seeing everything, and so the most important thing to wear is sensible and supportive footwear, to make sure you’re comfortable all day. You might also want to take a change of shoes for if your feet need a break.

Whilst some competitors and also the judges dress very smartly and formally, there is no dress code or expectations of what visitors will wear, and jeans, trainers, tracksuits, or whatever you feel comfortable in are all perfectly fine.

Can you touch the dogs and meet the competitors at Crufts?

You can meet a whole host of dogs at Crufts in the “meet the breeds” area, and you can get very close to competing dogs too when they’re kennelled between classes. Rehoming shelters, charities, and a range of other displays and stalls all have dogs to meet too.

There are also of course loads of dogs being moved around, walked and so on, so basically no shortage of dogs in general.

However, apply the same rules as you would with meeting strange dogs anywhere; ask if you can pet them, be gracious if you’re told no for any reason, and pick your moment; someone grooming a dog or waiting to be called into the ring is unlikely to be that up for a chat!

Can you buy a dog at Crufts?

You can’t buy a dog at Crufts, as in, you can’t turn up on the day and see dogs for sale and pick one to take home. That would be an irresponsible way to both buy and sell dogs! However, if you’re in the market for a new dog, going to Crufts 2020 can be really helpful.

You can visit the “meet the breeds” area for inspiration, see and talk to the owners of all manner of dogs of different breeds, and also, a large number of dog rehoming shelters and charities attend stalls at Crufts, and it is always worth talking to them about rehoming one of their charges.

Is Crufts being shown on TV?

If you can’t make it to Crufts 2020 in person or want to recap the event and make sure you didn’t miss anything, the whole of the Crufts event it televised, and can be viewed on Channel 4 and More 4. You can also see live streams of some of the Crufts 2020 events online too, as well as following the event on social media via the Kennel Club’s accounts on various platforms.

A surprisingly large number of dog owners are not even aware of the remit of the Protection of Livestock Act (1953)-but this law is in fact hugely relevant to dog owners, and something that all dog owners should be aware of, particularly those living in rural areas or holidaying in the country with their dogs.

The Protection of Livestock Act is so important for dog owners for one reason-because this is the Act that gives permission to a farmer, landowner or other party to shoot or have your dog destroyed if they bother their livestock.

Sadly, several dogs a year are legally killed under the remit of this law, but such deaths are entirely preventable, by ensuring that you follow the countryside code and keep your dog properly under control when out and about.

In this article, we will look at the Protection of Livestock Act in more detail, including the remit of the law, how it is applied, and what it means for you as a dog owner. Read on to learn more.

The Protection of Livestock Act 1953

The Protection of Livestock Act came into force during the 1950’s, to provide a legal recourse for farmers and other livestock owners to protect their livestock from threats from other people’s dogs. This is relevant because an out of control dog of any breed or size can cause serious damage to farm animals, which of course is both costly for the farmer and distressing for all involved.

One problem is of course the issue that can arise if your dog outright attacks another animal-but there is also a danger from a dog simply worrying livestock, such as by chasing them or running at them. Upsetting or frightening livestock in this way can lead to injuries and harm caused when the livestock try to get away, and such stress can even cause miscarriage in farmyard animals.

In order to allow farmers some recourse to stop this-and of course, to act as a deterrent to dog owners-the Protection of Livestock Act came into force, to set out the criteria for what a farmer or livestock owner can do if a dog worries their stock.

What counts as livestock?

A wide range of different species of animals are classed as livestock-the most obvious of these are things like cows, sheep and pigs, but the Act also covers things like chickens, horses, geese and goats.

The moniker of “livestock” does not apply to domestic pets, however, such as cats, nor wild game birds, such as pheasant and grouse.

What does the law mean for livestock owners?

The main remit of the Protection of Livestock Act gives farmers the power to do whatever is necessary within reason to protect their stock from the potential risks and losses that can be caused by an out of control dog.

The provisions of the Act apply to any person who is walking or in control of a dog, whether that person is the dog’s owner or not, and the Act refers specifically to dogs that are “worrying” livestock.” In this context, “worrying” livestock is determined as any of the following:

• Attacking livestock, whether or not serious or significant injury is sustained.
• Chasing livestock, which may cause injury or miscarriage in the stock in question.
• Being at large (not on a lead or proper control) within a field in which livestock is present.
• However, the Act does not apply to police dogs, assistance dogs, trained sheep dogs, packs of working hounds, or working gun dogs.

The law also does not apply if the livestock in question have got loose and entered an area not owned or controlled by their owner; ergo, this protects dogs if livestock should happen to wander into the dog’s territory.

What does the law mean for dog owners?

The Protection of Livestock Act as it applies to dog owners means that if the circumstances above occur, the farmer or livestock owner is within their legal rights to shoot your dog if they choose to, in order to protect their livestock.

While many farmers will be unwilling to shoot someone’s pet even in this situation, it is important to remember that many farmers will do so, and that they are ultimately protecting their stock, and not deliberately trying to do something nasty to deprive your pet of their life.

If your dog is shot by a farmer under these circumstances, the fault lies with you and not them-and there are also other penalties that can apply to you as well as the loss of your dog. If you are found guilty of having an out of control dog that worried livestock, you may also be subjected to summary conviction, and fined as well as of course having to make right the cost of any damage or injuries to the livestock.

Ultimately, following the countryside code and keeping your dog under control when in new places or around livestock can prevent such problems-and is really important!

A surprisingly large number of dog owners are not even aware of the remit of the Protection of Livestock Act (1953)-but this law is in fact hugely relevant to dog owners, and something that all dog owners should be aware of, particularly those living in rural areas or holidaying in the country with their dogs.

The Protection of Livestock Act is so important for dog owners for one reason-because this is the Act that gives permission to a farmer, landowner or other party to shoot or have your dog destroyed if they bother their livestock.

Sadly, several dogs a year are legally killed under the remit of this law, but such deaths are entirely preventable, by ensuring that you follow the countryside code and keep your dog properly under control when out and about.

In this article, we will look at the Protection of Livestock Act in more detail, including the remit of the law, how it is applied, and what it means for you as a dog owner. Read on to learn more.

The Protection of Livestock Act 1953

The Protection of Livestock Act came into force during the 1950’s, to provide a legal recourse for farmers and other livestock owners to protect their livestock from threats from other people’s dogs. This is relevant because an out of control dog of any breed or size can cause serious damage to farm animals, which of course is both costly for the farmer and distressing for all involved.

One problem is of course the issue that can arise if your dog outright attacks another animal-but there is also a danger from a dog simply worrying livestock, such as by chasing them or running at them. Upsetting or frightening livestock in this way can lead to injuries and harm caused when the livestock try to get away, and such stress can even cause miscarriage in farmyard animals.

In order to allow farmers some recourse to stop this-and of course, to act as a deterrent to dog owners-the Protection of Livestock Act came into force, to set out the criteria for what a farmer or livestock owner can do if a dog worries their stock.

What counts as livestock?

A wide range of different species of animals are classed as livestock-the most obvious of these are things like cows, sheep and pigs, but the Act also covers things like chickens, horses, geese and goats.

The moniker of “livestock” does not apply to domestic pets, however, such as cats, nor wild game birds, such as pheasant and grouse.

What does the law mean for livestock owners?

The main remit of the Protection of Livestock Act gives farmers the power to do whatever is necessary within reason to protect their stock from the potential risks and losses that can be caused by an out of control dog.

The provisions of the Act apply to any person who is walking or in control of a dog, whether that person is the dog’s owner or not, and the Act refers specifically to dogs that are “worrying” livestock.” In this context, “worrying” livestock is determined as any of the following:

• Attacking livestock, whether or not serious or significant injury is sustained.
• Chasing livestock, which may cause injury or miscarriage in the stock in question.
• Being at large (not on a lead or proper control) within a field in which livestock is present.
• However, the Act does not apply to police dogs, assistance dogs, trained sheep dogs, packs of working hounds, or working gun dogs.

The law also does not apply if the livestock in question have got loose and entered an area not owned or controlled by their owner; ergo, this protects dogs if livestock should happen to wander into the dog’s territory.

What does the law mean for dog owners?

The Protection of Livestock Act as it applies to dog owners means that if the circumstances above occur, the farmer or livestock owner is within their legal rights to shoot your dog if they choose to, in order to protect their livestock.

While many farmers will be unwilling to shoot someone’s pet even in this situation, it is important to remember that many farmers will do so, and that they are ultimately protecting their stock, and not deliberately trying to do something nasty to deprive your pet of their life.

If your dog is shot by a farmer under these circumstances, the fault lies with you and not them-and there are also other penalties that can apply to you as well as the loss of your dog. If you are found guilty of having an out of control dog that worried livestock, you may also be subjected to summary conviction, and fined as well as of course having to make right the cost of any damage or injuries to the livestock.

Ultimately, following the countryside code and keeping your dog under control when in new places or around livestock can prevent such problems-and is really important!

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is commonly referred to as the “Toller” for short, as their full breed name is something of a mouthful! They are a medium sized breed from the gun dog grouping, which is sometimes mistaken for the Golden retriever, although there are significant differences between the two breeds.

The Toller can stand up to 21” tall at the withers and weigh up to 23kg, with males being slightly taller and more heavily built than females. They are rather leaner and lighter than the Golden retriever in terms of their build, and the coat colour is darker, tending towards a fox red colour or orangey-yellow coat rather than gold. They are well proportioned and athletic dogs with a muscular yet lithe structure, and a superior level of working fitness.

Historically used as a water dog within Canada to toll and retrieve ducks, the Toller is a keen swimmer that also benefits from webbed feet!

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is an active, lively breed that likes to spend plenty of time outside, and that does not thrive within a sedentary or mainly indoors lifestyle. They are personable, friendly, pleasant to train and keen to please, and are very loving with their families as well as being open and calm around strangers.

If you are wondering if the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is the right choice of dog for you, it is important to do plenty of research into the breed before committing to a purchase. In this article we will look at the hereditary health and average lifespan of the breed in more detail; read on to learn more.

Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever average lifespan

The average lifespan of the Toller is 10-14 years, which provides a reasonable amount of variance. The mid-range average falls well within the accepted norms across the board for all breeds of a similar size, and generally, the Toller is considered to be a robust and healthy breed that lives a relatively long life.

Genetic diversity

The coefficient of inbreeding statistic for the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is 26%, which is a high figure for a dog breed. This indicates that the Toller is particularly subjected to inbreeding which has lead to a number of health problems within the breed. Please be sure to ask your breeder about more information on the coefficient of inbreeding.

Conformation

The shape and build of the Toller is considered to be well balanced and robust, and fit for life. They are not subjected to exaggerations or overtyping, and generally, the build and shape of the Toller is a good example of a naturally evolved, healthy working dog.

Health testing for the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever

Quite a wide range of health tests and pre-breeding health schemes are in place for the Toller, in order to improve the overall health and wellness of the breed and prevent the inheritance of known hereditary health problems. The British Veterinary Association and The Kennel Club advise the following tests and screening programmes for dogs of the breed:

• Hip score testing, with the mean hip score for dogs of the breed being 11.2. Potential parent dogs should receive a hip score below this number in order to be considered viable.
• Elbow score testing, with the ideal being zero.
• Testing for progressive retinal atrophy, and collie eye anomaly, a condition that does not only affect collie breeds, despite the name!
• DNA testing is available for collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy, and degenerative myelopathy.

Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever breed clubs also make the following recommendations for breeders:

• Bitches under two years old not be bred.
• Dogs under two years old not to be used to sire a litter.
• Bitches should not produce more than one litter within any twelve month period.

Other health issues

As well as the conditions mentioned above for which health schemes and recommendations are in place, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever has also been identified to have the potential for certain other health issues as well, some of which are hereditary. While the breed as a whole is considered to be generally healthy, potential owners should make themselves aware of the following potential conditions:

• Polyarthritis of the joints, particularly likely to worsen with old age.
• Cleft palate in puppies of the breed, which can lead to the pups being unable to suckle, and so potentially die of malnutrition. However, if the pups can be successfully fed up until the age at which surgery is viable, this condition can often be corrected.
• Epilepsy.
• Meningitis.
• Hypoadrenocorticism, or Addison’s disease. This is caused by an underproduction of the necessary corticosteroids that the body produces.
• Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus, a rheumatic condition.
• Distichiasis, a condition in which the eyelashes grow a second row, which may rub on the cornea.

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is commonly referred to as the “Toller” for short, as their full breed name is something of a mouthful! They are a medium sized breed from the gun dog grouping, which is sometimes mistaken for the Golden retriever, although there are significant differences between the two breeds.

The Toller can stand up to 21” tall at the withers and weigh up to 23kg, with males being slightly taller and more heavily built than females. They are rather leaner and lighter than the Golden retriever in terms of their build, and the coat colour is darker, tending towards a fox red colour or orangey-yellow coat rather than gold. They are well proportioned and athletic dogs with a muscular yet lithe structure, and a superior level of working fitness.

Historically used as a water dog within Canada to toll and retrieve ducks, the Toller is a keen swimmer that also benefits from webbed feet!

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is an active, lively breed that likes to spend plenty of time outside, and that does not thrive within a sedentary or mainly indoors lifestyle. They are personable, friendly, pleasant to train and keen to please, and are very loving with their families as well as being open and calm around strangers.

If you are wondering if the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is the right choice of dog for you, it is important to do plenty of research into the breed before committing to a purchase. In this article we will look at the hereditary health and average lifespan of the breed in more detail; read on to learn more.

Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever average lifespan

The average lifespan of the Toller is 10-14 years, which provides a reasonable amount of variance. The mid-range average falls well within the accepted norms across the board for all breeds of a similar size, and generally, the Toller is considered to be a robust and healthy breed that lives a relatively long life.

Genetic diversity

The coefficient of inbreeding statistic for the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is 26%, which is a high figure for a dog breed. This indicates that the Toller is particularly subjected to inbreeding which has lead to a number of health problems within the breed. Please be sure to ask your breeder about more information on the coefficient of inbreeding.

Conformation

The shape and build of the Toller is considered to be well balanced and robust, and fit for life. They are not subjected to exaggerations or overtyping, and generally, the build and shape of the Toller is a good example of a naturally evolved, healthy working dog.

Health testing for the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever

Quite a wide range of health tests and pre-breeding health schemes are in place for the Toller, in order to improve the overall health and wellness of the breed and prevent the inheritance of known hereditary health problems. The British Veterinary Association and The Kennel Club advise the following tests and screening programmes for dogs of the breed:

• Hip score testing, with the mean hip score for dogs of the breed being 11.2. Potential parent dogs should receive a hip score below this number in order to be considered viable.
• Elbow score testing, with the ideal being zero.
• Testing for progressive retinal atrophy, and collie eye anomaly, a condition that does not only affect collie breeds, despite the name!
• DNA testing is available for collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy, and degenerative myelopathy.

Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever breed clubs also make the following recommendations for breeders:

• Bitches under two years old not be bred.
• Dogs under two years old not to be used to sire a litter.
• Bitches should not produce more than one litter within any twelve month period.

Other health issues

As well as the conditions mentioned above for which health schemes and recommendations are in place, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever has also been identified to have the potential for certain other health issues as well, some of which are hereditary. While the breed as a whole is considered to be generally healthy, potential owners should make themselves aware of the following potential conditions:

• Polyarthritis of the joints, particularly likely to worsen with old age.
• Cleft palate in puppies of the breed, which can lead to the pups being unable to suckle, and so potentially die of malnutrition. However, if the pups can be successfully fed up until the age at which surgery is viable, this condition can often be corrected.
• Epilepsy.
• Meningitis.
• Hypoadrenocorticism, or Addison’s disease. This is caused by an underproduction of the necessary corticosteroids that the body produces.
• Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus, a rheumatic condition.
• Distichiasis, a condition in which the eyelashes grow a second row, which may rub on the cornea.