Heathland Heroes

We love to celebrate the great behaviour we see out on the heaths, and say a huge thank you for the wonderful things you’re doing to look after heathland wildlife!

Helping our heaths can be easy: simply bagging and binning your dog’s poop is hugely important to the health of our heaths. But we recognise that some things are more difficult. We know it’s not easy to keep your dog from seeking out exciting sniffs in the heather and we definitely know how difficult it is to call your dog away from chasing that deer, so we know how hard you’ve worked to achieve this! By popping your dog on a longline while you train a super recall, playing games to keep them focussed on you while you’re out together, or even by picking a local #GreenspaceOnYourDoorstep walk to explore during the ground-nesting bird season, you’re doing your bit to help. For more ways to help, see our Good Dog Guide.

Here’s a gallery of just some of the Heathland Heroes we’ve met in 2024.

[Click on the images for the full size versions]

Jackapoo says "I don't bark at the horses anymore"
Clever boy Seamus
Springer spaniel says "I'm only 13 weeks old but I'm learning that I can't run off the path in the forest, I might scare the ground-nesting birds"
Young Basil learning the ropes
Springer spaniel says "I'm a very busy boy but I stay focused on my owners, despite all the distractions because we've worked very hard together"
Strong focus Django
Springer spaniel says "We walk in the woods and avoid the heaths when the birds are nesting"
Smart choice Poppy
Red Setter says "I love my walks on the long line, otherwise I'd chase deer"
Well behaved Winnie
Springer Spaniel says "I'm a very good boy and stay close to my owner and out of the heather"
Top behaviour, Ace

Black labrador says "I love to play fetch along the path on the heath"
Happy ball games with Benson
Spaniel Duke says "We avoid the ground-nesting bird habitat when we are out in the forest"
Thank you Duke
Hunter, Piper and River say "We are fire patrol dogs and keep the heaths safe"
Wildfire awareness from this fab trio
Kelpie X says "I avoid the heath and explore the woods (though really I'm hunting squirrels"
Enjoy those woods Macey
Black labrador says "I love my ball and stick close to my owner so I can retrieve it when it's thrown along the path"
Riley, staying safe
Boxer says "Back on the long line until my recall improves"
Lenny, learning about recall

Cockapoo says "We're walked on the lead in the forest because our owners love wildlife"
Lily enjoying on-lead walks

 

Here’s a gallery of just some of the Heathland Heroes we’ve met in 2023.

[Click on the images for the full size versions]

Border Collie says "My walks are fun! I play ball games and practice training. My owners are more exciting than deer!"
Contented Collie
Sproker spaniel says "I'm on a lead in heathland at this time of year. My mum and I love birds!"
Steadfast Sproker
Stanley says "I'm only a year old but I do come back for chicken! Thankfully I have lots of practice " and winks!
Faithful Flat-Coated Retriever, Stanley
Bramble says "I’m only a pup and to keep me safe and stop me hunting, I’m on a lead when the birds are nesting. I always keep to the paths!"
Beautiful Bramble
Buddie & Oscar say "We love our walks on the heaths! Mum always throws the ball along the path, and not into the heather."
Heathland fun with Buddie & Oscar
Two black and white Border Collies say " We stay with our mum on walks and keep to the paths through the heaths. We do love to explore the woodlands!"
Trustworthy twosome

Foxy says " I can explore the woods on my long line, but it's shortened on the heath so I stay safe and out of the heather."
Responsible rescue pup Foxy
Freddie says "I get to explore the woodlands but always go back on the lead on the heath!"
Handsome Freddie
Harley says "My mum likes to protect the heath by keeping it tidy and picking up any litter. She always picks up my poo!"
Happy Harley
Kenza says "My mum keeps me on the path and focused on her by playing 'hide it' with my favourite toy!"
Kenza the super Sproker
Poldy & Bug say "We visit lots of different 'Greenspace on your doorstep' with our mum. We love our walks!"
Perfect Poodles Poldy & Bug
Two terriers say "We keep to the paths during ground-nesting bird season!"
Terrific Terrier twosome

Grace says "I'm a good girl and I keep to the main paths and out of the heather. My owner pops me on a longline just to make sure!"
Gorgeous Grace the Weimerana
The Working Cocker Spaniel says "My owner bags & bins my poop and even picks up bags left by other people! He's a #HeathlandHero!"
Wonderful Working Cocker
Nala says "I have a special recall toy so I always come running back to mum for a game of tug!"
Game on with Nala, the Working Cocker
Working lab says "I'm a trained gundog and hunt for my dummy along the paths on the heath."
Well-trained Working Labrador
A pair of balck labs say " We work hard during our walk, we always have a job to do and love to keep busy! We do get time off to sniff too!"
Dependable Working Labrador duo
Maisie & Ralph "Our mum keeps us focussed on walks with plentiful training. She rewards us with treats!"
First-rate Springers Maisie & Ralph

Billy & Bella say "Our owner keeps us both on the path! #HeathlandHero"
Beautiful Billy & Bella
A cute black dog says "I’m obsessed with my ball so my owner throws it down the path! #HeathlandHero!"
Cutie at Chobham
Freya says "My owner makes sure that I stay on path! She's a #HeathlandHero!"
Fab Freya

 

#HeathlandHounds

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