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Dachshund Days
If you love Dachshunds in all their shapes and sizes, then we hope you'll join us for a fun weekend exclusively for Dachshund lovers and their dogs!
Friday 7 to Sunday 9 February 2025
A WEEKEND JUST FOR DACHSHUNDS
Dachshund Days!
SOLD OUT
Dachshund Days is now sold out. We will be sharing lots of photos and video of the event so be sure to check back and we may run the event again later in the year – or even make it an annual event if there’s interest! We also have a gallery of our very special guests for the weekend, so please send in your photos if you’re attending, but haven’t yet had the chance to send a photo of your dog(s). If you’d like to be added to the wait list, in the event of a cancellation, please email friends@foxguest.co.uk
We’re blocking off the entire hotel exclusively for a very special weekend dedicated to Dachshunds – and their owners! We’re expecting more than 50 Dachshunds and Dachshund crosses for a fun, casual and social weekend.
Following the incredible response to our call for interest, we are now open for reservations. You can now reserve your weekend stay or purchase tickets to be a day visitor, if you aren’t planning to stay overnight at the hotel.
We hope you’ll be able to join us, meet other Dachshund owners and their dogs, chat by the fireside, discover our amazing local walks, enjoy great food, learn something new from the experts and make some great new friends!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Event Dates
Friday 7 February to Sunday 9 February 2025 – SOLD OUT
The Dachshund Days event opens at 15:00 on Friday 7 February and winds up at 15:00 on Sunday 9 February. It is open to both guests staying at the hotel and for those who wish to just attend during the day.
Prices for staying guests start at less than £75ppn*, with tickets for day visitors from just £20. Please see the Tickets & Accommodation to register for the event.
* Based on two people sharing a small double room on a B&B basis. We have many room types from Single to Suites as well as a Luxury Treehouse
WHOSE COMING?
Gallery of Attendees
We thought it would be fun to put together a gallery of all the dogs coming to the event. We have 52 dogs registered to attend and we hope we can get a photo of all of them! If you haven’t had a chance to send in a photo please send it together with your dog’s name to friends@foxguest.co.uk and we’ll add it to the gallery. If you’ve just taken the best picture ever and want to swap the current one, no problem, we can do that too!
JOIN US
The Event
The idea for Dachshund Days was born from a conversation with Dovecote Dogs when we half-jokingly talked about how great it would be just to fill up the hotel with Dachshunds for a whole weekend. The idea certainly caught people’s imaginations with so many Dachshund lovers telling us they would love to attend or contribute.
The weekend is primarily about people who share a love of Dachshunds getting together for a fun, new year break in a beautiful part of the country. There are plenty of lovely, easy walks nearby and much to explore in the area. We’ve got great food, lots of space and lovely roaring fire to relax by. To add to the fun, we have a program of talks, demonstrations and Q&A sessions with a whole range of specialists and professionals
- Dog training and behaviour
- Health issues in small dogs
- Dog grooming
- Dog photography
The event is open to both staying guests at the hotel and to guests who just want to come along during the days.
The event starts at 3:00pm on Friday and wraps up by 3:00pm on Sunday.
THE FOX AND HOUNDS COUNTRY HOTEL
The Venue
The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel is a 3 star country hotel located in mid-Devon. We’re known for our friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, great food and of course being very, very dog friendly!
We’ve been described on TripAdvisor as “Doggy Heaven”, “the best doggy hotel out there”, “Fantastic dog friendly hotel” and much, much more. Our many returning guests come back regularly for a vacation or getaway with their dogs, and first time visitors can never get over just how dog-friendly we are.
The hotel has 6 acres of beautiful grounds set on the River Taw in Devon. Surrounded by miles of wooded walks, located between Dartmoor and Exmoor and a short drive to the wonderful North Devon beaches, it truly is a doggy paradise.
We have 22 rooms from singles to suites as well as our unique Luxury Treehouse. Dogs can go everywhere guest can go, including dining areas, and are welcome in all rooms for the event. The Heywood Restaurant at the Fox and Hounds has a reputation for amazing food and will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffees and cream teas. We also have a fully licensed bar.
Details about how to contact us and how to get here can be found in the Contact & Directions section of this page.
SPEAKERS & CONRIBUTORS
Event Programme
Since announcing the idea of Dachshund Days, we’ve been talking to a wide range of speakers and contributors and more are joining every week. Each is an expert in their own field and all share a common love of dogs.
The exact programme for the event is still being worked on and contributors may depend on the day and on how many times we run the event, but we can guarantee a fun filled day with lots to do and plenty of great content from an amazing array of speakers and contributors.
Dog Training
Dovecote Dogs
One of the UK’s leading dog trainers specialising in Dachshunds, Dovecote Dogs has continued to build it’s reputation on a proven track record of results. With more than 120k online followers, Dovecote helps Dachshund owners better understand their dogs and to deal effectively with everything from social behaviour, barking, lead work, recall and resource guarding to separation anxiety. Dovecote offer an online academy, private distance coaching as well as in person one on one training for those in the Midlands region.
Jack will be giving a series of talks throughout the weekend, dealing with some of the most common issues faced by Dachshund owners and helping to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to work with their dogs.
Author - Dog Park Detectives
Blake Mara
For Blake Mara, who started writing as a child, having her first novel – a WW2 espionage thriller – published was a dream come true. As was getting a dog, and about 6 months after her debut was published, she welcomed a miniature dachshund (with a massive personality) into her home.
Inspiration comes in many forms, and spending a lot of time in her local dog park, she began to wonder… What if two friends, out walking their dogs, found a dead body? What if it was someone they knew? What if, instead of waiting for the police to solve the murder, the dog park pack of friends started sniffing out the clues? The Dog Park Detectives was the result of these What Ifs, and while murder is never just a walk in the park, in this case, the research – literally – was.
Blake Mara is a native New Yorker who moved to London in her 20s. The Dog Park Detectives, unleashed in April 2024, introduces The Pack – a group of dog owners determined to take a bite out of local crime. Writing as Mara Timon, she’s the author of historical thrillers, City of Spies (shortlisted for CrimeFest’s debut of the year 2020) and Resistance. She (and her hound) live in London, where she’s working on the next books in both series.
Dog Healthcare
West Ridge Veterinary Practice
The team at West Ridge Veterinary Practice are your local vets in Devon. Established in 1981, the practice was founded by Dick Sibley, David Temple and John Malseed. Over the years we have grown and are now well established throughout the region. In addition to providing services for farm animals, we also offer professional veterinary services for small animals, exotic pets and equines.
Naomi Tucker and Paul Uglow will be speaking about small dog health issues and available to answer your questions.
Emergency Dachshund Rescue UK
The Red Foundation
The Red Foundation was founded in 2017 when the Dachshund community came together to raise funds to rescue & spay an 18 month old female Dachshund named Red.
Our primary mission at The Red Foundation is to protect the health and well-being of every dog in our care, and this is very important to us. We are also advocates of the breed and take our role as social educators very seriously. After an adoption has taken place, we don’t simply walk away from them. We provide lifetime support to all of our adopters, and we stay in contact with them for the life of the dog.
Kate Mallatratt
PickPocket Foragers
Kate Mallatratt is a canine behaviourist and founder of PickPocket Foragers. These fully washable/tumble dryable fleece feeders have built in pockets in which dogs hunt for treats and are recommended by veterinary practices, physiotherapists and trainers.
Kate wanted to combine scent work with fully washable feeders to help her clients manage their dogs. As a behaviourist, Kate saw first-hand the benefits of canine enrichment and in particular how foraging could lessen problems and boost the well-being of dogs. Kate saw a gap in the market for a durable and easily laundered product that provided gentle enrichment and puzzle solving through foraging.
Kate will be setting up an enrichment area at Dachshund Days for dogs to enjoy and will be available to talk to owners about the importance of scent and foraging for dogs.
Pet Photography
Fiona Crawford
Fiona is coming into her 21st year as a devoted pet photographer, so as you can imagine, it’s a subject she is very passionate about! After all, every pet deserves to be celebrated through fantastic photographs.
“The best camera is the one that’s with you.”
In today’s world, that usually means your smartphone.
Fiona will share her many years of experience with some simple tips that will help you instantly elevate your snapshots, so you get more “keepers” and photos worth sharing.
Dog Healthcare
St Boniface Vets
Vet, Jane White has spent over 30 years working in mixed practices in the Crediton area. With additional qualifications in veterinary physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, she currently splits her time between St Boniface Veterinary Rehabilitation in Crediton and The Retreat, Canine Rehabilitation Centre in Okehampton. As a dog owner herself, she deeply understands the emotional toll a life-changing injury can have on both pets and their families. Jane’s mission is to help dogs and their owners not just survive, but truly thrive.
Hand Crafted Accessories
LG Leatherworks
Louise is the founder of LG Leatherworks, a Devon based company creating luxury, handmade leather works including dog accessories, wallets, handbags and accessories. Her work has been featured in Country Life, Horse & Hound, Sloan! and Your Dog and was recently awarded ‘Best Luxury Handmade Leather Products Retailer 2024 – UK’ by Luxelife magazine.
A dog owner and animal lover herself, Louise will be featuring some of her recent handcrafted work at the Dachshund Days event, including dog accessories sized for Dachshunds!
Pet Portraits
Kirstie Anstee Art & Design
Kirstie is an artist and designer, living with her family and pets in the heart of the North Devon countryside.
She has a degree in Graphic Arts from the Cambridge School of Art and has worked in art and design for over twenty years. She especially enjoys drawing animals (particularly dogs). Fur, whiskers and wet noses are her favourite things to draw, and she is inspired by the beauty of the natural world around her. Most of her inspiration comes from her daily walks with her dog, Mabel.
She works mainly in pastel, making her work affordable and environmentally friendly.
Pet Shop & Accessories
Doghouse
Doghouse is a destination pet shop, dog grooming salon and cafe with two outlets based in Clifton Village, Bristol and Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.
Founder and lifelong dachshund owner, Ruth Warren, and her sewing team also make specialist dachshund clothing from their Wiltshire workshop. Making good fitting coats and fleeces for dachshunds is a passion of Ruth’s, having grown up with the breed Ruth made her first dachshund coat from a protective table cover at the age of twelve! Thankfully the designs and fabric have evolved since then and the workshop now produces a huge range of fleeces and designs for this enigmatic little breed which can be bought online from doghouse.co.uk, from either of the two Doghouse stores or from a number of independent stockists throughout the uk.
Dog Grooming
Luna Grooms
Stacey Brewer is owner and founder of Chawleigh-based groomers, Luna Grooms. Stacey is a Level 2 & 3 qualified dog groomer, Stage One Canine Obedience Instructor and a registered veterinary nurse.
Having honed her skills at a top rated grooming salon, that is ThreeBestRated in Exeter and has Most Trusted Dog Grooming Service For Devon 2023 & 2024 Award, Stacey opened Luna Grooms in June 2023 which caters to dogs of all breeds and sizes. Stacey continues to practice as a registered veterinary nurse, and remains up to date with all of the latest training to ensure her clients are in the best hands.
Dog Beds
Pet Beds by Mandy
Mandy Smith is a local artist who has been creating hand made dog beds for more than 12 years. The beds are paw print fleece backed with character facing material including Labradors, Dachshunds, Collies, Pheasants, Hares & Stags, and multi dog fabric.
All beds are washable & padded with recycled washable duvets, which are supplied by a local hotel! Every bed sold includes a donation to animal charity and with more than 2,500 pet beds sold, Mandy has been able to make significant contribution to several charities.
Mandy will be be displaying a selection of her unique hand made beds over the Dachshund Days weekend.
RESERVE YOUR PLACE!
Tickets & Accommodation
We are making a small charge for a weekend ticket event to help cover costs for our many contributors. For staying guests, the ticket cost is included in the special accommodation rate. For guests not staying at the hotel, ticket prices can be found in the Book Tickets section below.
We have created a special discounted Dachshund Weekend accommodation package that includes the ticket price, accommodation, and up to two dogs staying free with both Bed & Breakfast and Dinner, Bed Options.
We have many room types from Single Rooms to Suites as well as our Luxury Treehouse and rooms can be configured to suit many needs including twin bed, families, accessible requirements and extra people in rooms. Dogs are permitted in all rooms and up to two dogs are included in the price of accommodation.
Accommodation Pricing
Accommodation is based on 2 people sharing a room (except Single Room). Special discounted event pricing includes the cost accommodation for two nights, cost of tickets and up to 2 dogs. Bed & Breakfast (B&B) includes breakfast Saturday & Sunday while Dinner Bed & Breakfast (DBB) also includes our special event dinners for Friday & Saturday nights.
| ROOM TYPE | SLEEPS | MAX OCC | MAX DOGS | B&B | DBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Room | 1 | 1 | 1 | 199 | 259 |
| Small Double | 2 | 2 | 2 | 299 | 419 |
| Standard Double | 2 | 3 | 2 (3 small) | 349 | 469 |
| Superior Double | 2 | 4 | 3 | 399 | 519 |
| Eggesford Suite | 2 | 4 | 2 | 420 | 540 |
| Heywood Suite | 2 | 4 | 3 | 465 | 585 |
| Luxury Treehouse | 2A+2C | 4 | 2 small | 675 | 795 |
Room configurations are available to suit all needs including twin beds, family rooms and suites. Many rooms have sofa beds or can accommodate additional guests on folding beds. We have accessible rooms on the ground floor, including a fully accessible room with wet room, suitable for wheelchair users. Prices shown are for the number of sleepers indicated, but additional guests can be accommodated up to the Maximum Occupancy shown. Please call to discuss your accommodation requirements.
ADDITIONAL PEOPLE IN ROOMS
- The price for an additional adult in a room for two nights is £84 for B&B and £139 for DBB.
- The price for an additional child (age 3 to 12) in a room for two nights is £46 for B&B and £62 for DBB.
- There is no charge for infants (0-2) and travel cots are available free (please book a travel cot if required).
- Some rooms can accommodate more than 2 dogs. The price of 2 dogs is included in the cost shown. Additional dog charge is £12/night
Book Accommodation
DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION
A £50 deposit is required per room at the time of booking. This deposit is fully refundable up to 4 weeks before the start of the event. Cancellation is free (minus deposit, if less than 4 weeks before event) up to 2 weeks prior to the start of the event, after which you are responsible for the full amount of the booking.
There is no deposit for event tickets and the full amount is payable at purchase, however tickets are fully refundable up to 4 weeks before the event. If you need to cancel after this, a refund can only be issued if we are able to find another purchaser for the tickets.
Book Tickets
A limited number of tickets (30) are available for non-staying guests. Ticket prices are for the full event (Friday 3:00pm-Sunday 3:00pm) but do not include meals (see Food & Drink for available meals and pricing). Ticket charges are to help cover costs for our many contributors. Staying guests do not require a ticket as this is included in the price of the accommodation package.
Based on initial feedback we have changed the pricing model, so it is now based on the number of dogs, not people. This makes attending the event much less expensive, especially for couples and families.
- One Dog: £20
- Two Dogs: £30
- Three Dogs: £40
Please call us if you are thinking of bringing more than 3 dogs,
To book your ticket(s) for Dachshund Days, please call the hotel on 01769 580 345 or email relax@foxandhoundshotel.co.uk
HOTEL & SURROUNDING AREA
Food & Drink
The Heywood Restaurant at The Fox & Hounds has a reputation for great food and the hotel has a fully licensed bar and small coffee shop. The hotel will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as coffee and bar drinks during the event. There are also several pubs and restaurants in the area some of which can be found on our local area Food & Drinks page.
BREAKFAST
A hot and cold buffet breakfast with a wide selection including Full English (vegetarian and vegan options available) and Continental Style choices for guests staying at the hotel. Breakfast is available Saturday and Sunday mornings between 08:00 and 09:45.
LUNCH, CARVERY & CREAM TEA
Lunch will be available on for both hotel guests and day ticket holders on Saturday from 12:00 to 15:00. No reservation is required.
On Sunday, our popular carvery with vegetarian options is available from 12:00 to 15:00 . Please reserve a table using our online reservation system or by contacting the hotel. Sunday Carvery is £14.95 for adults and £7.95 for children under 13. Our normal lunch menu is not available on Sundays.
Cream Tea is also available between 12:00 and 15:00 on Friday and Saturday but needs to be pre-ordered, or ordered on arrival. Cream Tea for One is £7.50
EVENT DINNER FRIDAY/SATURDAY
We always pull out all the stops for events such as Dachshund Days, with the kitchen team developing a special menu just for the event. The menu will be circulated about a month before the event and pre-orders will be required to help service run smoothly. We always have good options for special dietary requirements and for many people, the food is one of the highlights of the event.
For guests staying at the hotel on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis, the dinner cost is built into the price including a small discount. For guests staying on a Bed & Breakfast basis or not staying at the hotel, there will be a limited number of places available and the cost of the dinner will likely be around £35/person.
We normally have a special dinner quiz with our events as a bit of added fun!
CONNECT WITH US
Contact & Direction
If you have any questions about the event or wish to purchase tickets or book your room, please do not hesitate to call or email us.
Telephone: 01769 580 345
Email: relax@foxandhoundshotel.co.uk
Website: foxandhoundshotel.co.uk
THE FOX AND HOUNDS COUNTRY HOTEL
Eggesford
Chulmleigh, Devon
EX18 7JZ
We’re located in beautiful mid-Devon, midway between Dartmoor and Exmoor and halfway between Exeter and Barnstaple. Please see our Contact & Directions page for how to find us, including what3words.
The hotel is only a minute’s walk from the Eggesford Train station and we are less than 3 hours from Paddington Station and just over 2 hours from Bristol, so the train is a great way to get here if you don’t want to drive (but please be careful on the A377 if walking up with dogs).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Lots of Dachshunds have ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ who aren’t Dachshunds. They are more than welcome to come along, but this is a special Dachshund event, so at least one of the gang should be a Dachshund or cross.
People who stay at The Fox and Hounds tend to be dog lovers and that’s particularly true of an event like this. This means people are generally more tolerant of dogs that might take a while to settle or have a little bark or growl. That said, there will be a lot of people and a lot of dogs and we want everyone to enjoy themselves.
If you’re confident your dog will settle down after the initial excitement, then everything should be fine. If however you think your dog may continue to bark for a prolonged period or might be aggressive towards others, then it might be best to leave them at home on this occasion.
The hotel is extremely dog friendly and all of our staff are dog owners or dog lovers! We try to provide everything dogs need from welcome treats at reception to a big dog biscuit and bowl in the rooms. There are dog towels at entrances, a doggy wash station outside, and we have extra dog bags, toys and even some leads in case anything has been forgotten. Unfortunately we can no longer provide dog beds, so please bring bedding for your dog.
Yes! We’re a super dog friendly hotel and we wouldn’t want you to be separated from a member of your family! Your dogs are allowed to go anywhere you can go in the hotel, including all dining areas.
Dogs are allowed everywhere that guests can go in the hotel and grounds. We prefer that guests keep dogs with them at all times (and the doggies prefer it too!)
The number of dogs that can stay in your room all depends on the size of the room. Single rooms are only suitable for one small dog whereas Superior Rooms can accommodate 3 dogs (and possibly 4 by special arrangement in a couple of rooms). We’ve included 2 dogs in the price of the accommodation package and additional dogs will be charged at the normal rate of £12/night.
Food and drink are available, but you are more than welcome to eat elsewhere if you prefer, or just want to go for a bit of an explore in the area. We have some great suggestions for local places to eat on the Food & Drink page of our Guest Information Portal.
Only our Luxury Treehouse is Self Catering. We don’t allow other food and drink to be brought to the hotel.
We’ve been advised by our vets not to provide calming treats, but you are welcome to bring your own if you think it might help your dog to relax.
It’s your weekend, and you should do whatever you want to. There is plenty to do in the area with dogs or you might just want to sit and chat with other owners. We only ask that everyone is respectful of what’s happening around them, especially if there is a talk going on.
Yes! Don’t worry, we have lots at the hotel if you forget, but as a Dachshund owner, you probably know they’re prone to bark and one can easily set off another. Hopefully they’ll all settle down come bedtime, but we’ll certainly have our ear plugs and sleep noise machines ready for the weekend!
Many guests travel to us by train. We’re just a minute or two’s walk from the Eggesford train station. Please note that it is about 150m on the A377, with no pavement, so it can be a little scary, especially if you have a dog and a suitcase, but most people find it ok. Also, please note that there are no nearby shops within walking distance.
