A-Breed-Apart House Sitters

16/08/2025

Sunset over Pug

16/08/2025

Live different

12/08/2025

It's hot work in this weather, which is why we're up and out for walks before the sun gets too hot.

Lot's of deer about plus they're reactive with other dogs, so the leashes stay on.

09/08/2025

Imagine being invited back to the same beautiful home year after year… because the owners trust you completely.

Get started with our FREE guide — 7 Housesitter Mistakes to Avoid At All Costs.

Plus, discover the new book that shows you exactly how to:
✅ Secure dream sits without endless applications
✅ Care for pets like a pro; even anxious or unusual ones
✅ Turn housesitting into a flexible lifestyle or income stream
✅ How to earn glowing 5-star reviews
✅ Proven checklists
✅ And lots more besides

Housesitters Unleashed is available for pre-order now — launching 8 October 2025.

👉 Grab your free checklist and see the book at https://www.a-breed-apart.co.uk/all-products/housesitters-unleashed-how-to-house-sit-like-a-pro

Because your next sit should be a story worth telling and not as a cautionary tale.

05/08/2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dedicated Animal Care Team! 🐾

The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home cares for hundreds of abused, neglected, and abandoned animals each year, giving them the love, care, and second chance they deserve by finding them their forever homes.

Our Animal Care Team plays a pivotal role in delivering hands-on care, demonstrating compassion, empathy, and kindness to the animals in our care.

If you're committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and would love to be part of their journey with us, we want to hear from you.

👉 Visit our website to learn more and apply today: https://cotswoldsdogsandcatshome.org.uk/work-with-us/

02/08/2025

Chilling in the wind & sun. It's been another fun housesit...

15/07/2025

Back looking after this crazy boy 😆

12/06/2025

Meet our newest customer 🥰
Loves:
> Sitting on your lap
> Getting tummy rubs
> Pâté

Dislikes:
> Walking
> Hot weather
> Buzzing flies

So glad to have had availability to look after this handsome Good Boy these last few days in a lovely Berkshire village!

11/06/2025

P**p Bags, Daydreams & Dappled Light: Finding Magic on the Dog Walk 🐾

There’s nothing quite like a good daydream while ambling behind the dog; p**p bag in one hand, lead in the other, with your mind off narrating a tale in some long-forgotten kingdom.

But beyond the whimsical wanderings (and occasional wrestling match with a retractable lead), our daily dog walks are more than just routine. They’re a chance to connect; with our dogs, with the land, and with ourselves.

Here are a few gentle suggestions to help turn your familiar walk into something richer, for both you and your faithful companion:

1. Let Them Sniff to Their Heart’s Content
A dog’s walk isn’t about mileage. It’s about information gathering. Each lamppost and molehill is the local noticeboard. Try letting them lead the pace for a bit. Warning: it may take 10 minutes to cross a small meadow, but your dog will love you for it.

2. Stop and Observe
One of my favourite parts of walking our charges, particularly across the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, and Dorset, is simply stopping.
Coming round a corner to find the early sun spilling across a poppy field, or watching dappled light play off the water along a sleepy canal… I’ll often pause and just breathe it all in.
It’s in these still moments that nature quietly reveals itself. A roe deer in the far pasture. A pair of hares boxing beyond the hedgerow. The hoot of an owl that forgot the hour. When we’re still, we see so much more.

3. Play Forage Games
Pop a few treats in your pocket and drop them in grassy tufts when your dog isn’t looking. Say “seek!” and encourage them to find the hidden treasure. It turns a regular walk into a mental workout. For first-timers, they may need some help; a pat on the grass, an encouraging “Here” and soon they’ll be sniffing like pros.

4. Sprinkle in Some Training
A quick “sit” at a gate, a cheeky “paw” before you cross a stile, these micro-training sessions aren’t just great brain food, they keep your dog engaged with you. And the bonus? A more responsive dog when it really counts.

5. Walk With Presence
It’s easy to drift into our own heads or scroll through emails while our dogs do their business. But try leaving the phone in your pocket for a stretch. Tune in to the birdsong, the breeze through the trees, the feel of your boots on the path.
Walking like this isn’t just exercise. It’s grounding.

Familiar Doesn’t Mean Boring
Many dogs love their routine, but a subtle change now and then can be refreshing. Walk the route backwards (the route, not you!), try a nearby bridlepath, or head out at a slightly different time. Even a familiar walk looks new under a frost, mist, or setting sun.

⚠️ Final Word on Safety
Do be mindful of the weather. British summers love a surprise: too hot, too wet, occasionally both. Always carry water, avoid hot pavements, and know your dog’s limits, particularly for seniors, flat-faced breeds, and young pups.

So the next time you're out, whether narrating medieval tales or simply admiring a field cradled by sunshine, remember: these are the moments our dogs cherish most. And perhaps, just perhaps, they’re the moments we need more of too.

Do you have a favourite spot to pause and observe? We’d love to hear about it. Share your best dog walk discovery in the comments below.

10/06/2025

Did a rogue digit get the better of you? 📞
To the enquirer who completed our Google Form recently (name withheld for privacy reason), it seems a mischievous digit might have snuck into your contact details! We've tried to call and text you, but it looks like we've ended up calling an unsuspecting badger (or perhaps a very confused squirrel) 😵‍💫😵‍💫

If you've been wondering why we haven't gotten back to you, this could be why! Please pop a message over to us and we'll respond. We're eager to hear from you!

Cheers! The [Your Company Name] Team

05/06/2025

She loves to sit on our laps & watch her labrador sisters bolt around after a ball 😀

05/06/2025

🏡 Leaving Your Smallholding in Safe Hands? Read This First. 🐓🐾

Choosing the right house sitter for a smallholding isn’t a box-ticking exercise—it’s a matter of trust, responsibility, and peace of mind. It’s not just about feeding the chickens and remembering bin day. We’re talking about rare breed sheep that can be flighty, ponies that need daily care, alpacas with quirks, or pets on a strict medication schedule.

And then there’s the house itself: the septic tank, the AGA, the lanes that become skating rinks in a frost, and the total blackout darkness you only get deep in the countryside.

So, how do you find the right person to look after all this while you’re away?

Here’s what we tell our clients—because it’s what we live by:

✨ 1. Experience Counts
Ask sitters what they’ve actually looked after. Chickens? Alpacas? Have they tackled a frozen trough at 6am in January or handled a henhouse visit from Mr Fox? The right sitter will nod knowingly. The wrong one will blink.

✨ 2. Pet Knowledge is Non-Negotiable
A good sitter understands behaviour, routine, and what’s normal for your animals. They’ll notice when something’s off. They’ll know how to remove a tick, when to call the vet, and they won’t be fazed by mucking out or a nervy ewe.

✨ 3. Security Awareness is Crucial
Rural crime is on the rise. Gates get left open. Unlit barns are soft targets. Your sitter should be someone who not only respects your home’s privacy, but actively works to keep it—and your animals—safe.

✨ 4. Clear Communication Builds Trust
Do you want daily texts? A weekly update with photos? WhatsApp videos of the dog doing zoomies? Whatever helps you relax—agree it in advance. A professional sitter will welcome clarity.

✨ 5. A Comfortable Sitter is a Reliable Sitter
Make it easy for them to care for your home. Leave proper instructions (yes, including how the TV remote works), a few local maps, and if you’re really lovely, a welcome note and some milk in the fridge.

🌿 The truth is, your home is a working ecosystem. Leaving it in the wrong hands risks more than a missed feeding. It can create stress for your animals, damage routines, and unsettle your return.

So, take the time. Ask the right questions. And choose someone who doesn’t just say they love animals—but shows you they understand them.

🛖 If you’re planning to travel this year—even if it’s just a weekend away—start now. The best sitters get booked early, especially for rural properties.

Your smallholding deserves more than a “pop-in and hope for the best” service. It deserves the same care you give it, day in and day out.

📩 Want help finding someone who gets it? Send us a message—we’d be happy to help.

Thank you for contacting us. We will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible. All data submitted through our Google Form for house sitter inquiries is handled with strict adherence to data protection regulations. See our Privacy Policy