The rise of the 'Hut dog!' A third more owners taking their dogs on a beach hut holiday this summer

During Covid, a staggering 3.2 million UK households got a dog. It's no wonder pet staycations have increased by 40% since 2019. A holiday expert says dog-friendly beach huts are now one of the most relaxed places to take your best four-legged friend.

Following the explosion of 'pandemic puppies' during Covid, there are now around 12 million dogs in the UK. 75% of their owners say they plan to take their best four-legged friend on a staycation this summer.

A leading holiday expert says post-Brexit bureaucracy has made it more expensive to take dogs abroad and pet-friendly staycations have increased by 40% since 2019. One of biggest booms is in hound-friendly huts. The increasing number of dog-friendly beach huts means that many of our canine companions have become enthusiastic 'hut dogs'.

Lily Smith, a travel and holiday expert from the specialist booking service BeachHuts.com, says: 'Since January 2021, British pet passports are no longer valid for a trip to Europe. Dogs now need a certificate showing they have been microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, which can cost up to £300. It's no wonder we've seen a 29% boom in holidaymakers taking their dogs to beach huts since 2019.

'Of the 12 million dogs now in the UK, the RSPCA says that 3.2 million were acquired as "pandemic puppies". Dog owners who baulked at returning to the office certainly would struggle to be parted from their pet during the holidays, so an inexpensive UK staycation is the ideal solution. Fortunately, it no longer requires a bloodhound to sniff out the best beach huts. Many now welcome dogs, while a surprising number of UK beaches are dog-friendly all year round.

'For example, Devon has 77 dog-friendly beaches where they are welcome 12 months a year, Cornwall has 59 and Pembrokeshire a huge 80. Using the handy filter on the beachhuts.com website, it's easy to locate a large selection of dog-friendly huts at many of the UK's most beautiful and pooch-welcoming beaches.

'Post-pandemic, many more owners now ensure their huts are mutt-friendly and offer specific facilities such as dog bowls when people rent them. Look out for welcoming messages such as: "Walton beach is dog friendly all year round, so please feel free to bring your furry friends along to share in your happy day!"

'Whether it's your pet's first time or they are an experienced old sea dog, beach huts make a fabulous base for long walks, splashing after plastic ducks and then crashing out in the shade.

'Of course, there are a number of beaches that still operate a ban or limits on dogs between April/May and September. For some beaches, that's an outright ban but some counties, particularly Cornwall, now allow dogs on most restricted beaches from 6pm to 10am.

'Even if there is a summer-season dog ban in the immediate area of your ideal vacation, there may well be options. One award-winning hut, which lists "dog bowls and treats" among its facilities, says: "Dogs are most welcome in the hut and on the promenade, however not on the section of the beach immediately in front of the hut from April to October. However, dogs are allowed all year round on the beach north and south of where the huts end. There is a lovely dog walk behind the huts and car park over the marshes."

'Of course, part of the charm of a beach hut is it's still possible to have a cosy time outside of the peak summer season, when there are no dog bans in force for the vast majority of UK beaches. There's no need for a long 'paws' between vacations as many huts remain available all year round.

'Relaxing by the sea, sipping tea or something stronger and colder, walking the dog and occasionally sheltering in cosy comfort from the traditional British rain is actually the real holiday most families crave.

'From the sands of Sandbanks in Dorset and Sandown on the Isle of Wight, to being right next to the sea in Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk, BeachHuts.com has been the UK's No1 beach hut booking website since 2005. It's true to say, however, that there's been an unprecedented surge in demand over the last few years, particularly for those huts welcoming man's – and woman's and kid's – best friend.

'Many people now find themselves returning to the same hut several summers in a row to recharge their batteries or enjoy more active seaside experiences. Huts are available from as little as £20 a day. For more information about the huge range of dog-friendly beach hut locations available across the UK, see https://www.beachhuts.com/dog-friendly-beach-huts-for-hire.html