1. brought to you by laughing dog
For more details, call
0800 098 8057 or visit
laughingdogfood.com
Five-star dining for
dogs down on the farm
A bumper harvest led the
Grant family to start baking
for dogs, says Rachel Tierney
wi n a y e a r ’ s
d o g fo o d
You could win a year’s
supply of Laughing
Dog’s baked dry
completes, including
a “Dog Happy” hamper
with Wonderfully Wheat
Free Baked Joint Care
Oaties, Dental Oaties,
Cheesy Oaties and
Gloriously Grain Free
Baked White Fish Treats;
a tray of Gloriously Grain
Free Chicken Casserole,
Duck Casserole and
Lamb Hotpot.
To enter and for T&Cs,
visittgr.ph/laughingdog
Readers receive 20 per
cent off their first order.
Enter code Baking1936
at checkout or quote on
the phone. Free next-
day delivery available.
S
ince 1936, Laughing Dog has
been making dogs happy with
wholesome, delicious food
that the Grant family now grow and
bake on their Lincolnshire farm.
Three generations ago, farmer
and entrepreneur Ted Grant OBE
decided to try baking dog biscuits
to make the most of an abundant
harvest. A tail-wagging hit, they
have been baked with love ever
since to become a firm four-legged
favourite stocked in UK shops.
Ted Grant’s granddaughter Taisie
Grant, who is part of the company’s
marketing team, says: “Grandpa
was a huge philanthropist. He was
always looking for ways to diversify
and provide more jobs for those
living in the local area. He started
growing flowers in the winter,
moved on to grass drying and
then started the bakery.”
Today, the family still love dogs –
they have four “mad” collies – and
embrace Ted’s values of caring for
the local community and looking
after the environment. The family
farm now has a solar farm, and
wildflower borders surround the
fields to provide a haven for birds,
bees and wildlife. This love for
natural processes and ingredients
comes through in how Laughing
Dog is created. “It is unique as we
slowly oven-bake our entire range
of dry completes, treats and mixer
meals, using where possible many
ingredients we grow ourselves,”
says Taisie. “Our hypoallergenic
range has Gloriously Grain Free
and Wonderfully Wheat Free
offerings – perfect for dogs with
sensitive tummies but, because it’s
oven-baked, loved by all dogs.
“By slowly oven-baking our
biscuits the food takes longer to
make than other methods. But
baking better protects the goodness
in each kibble and is known to be
gentler on a dog’s digestion.”
Baking creates wobbly edges,
which means dogs have to chew
their food properly, and that is
great for helping to keep teeth
clean and breath fresh. “It’s crispier
and crunchier – a whole different
feel to other dog foods,” says Taisie.
“But it’s not just about feeding
dogs. It’s about nourishing them
– a healthy dog is a happy dog and
we all want our dogs to be happy.”
Good-quality, nutritious food is just
part of caring for your devoted
canine friend. As Taisie says: “Dogs
need moments of unrestrained joy,
whether frolicking in water or
running around on the beach. They
love to be groomed, exercised and
cherished just as humans do.”
To celebrate 80 years of
Laughing Dog’s commitment to
making dogs happy, in the coming
weeks it will honour dogs by
looking at those that have played
important roles in history. It will
also share expert tips on making
your dog feel happy and healthy.
Focusing on the next eight
decades for the company, Taisie
says: “We want to continue
spreading our mission to make
dogs 100 per cent dog happy.”
Feeding them delicious,
nourishing food is a great start.