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VANITY FUR

We pay a visit to Battersea to meet a cast of characterful canines as they take centre stage in some paw-some outfits to channel their inner cover star status. Read on to meet the dogs, shop this season’s most fetching looks and hear about Battersea’s ‘Rescue Is Our Favourite Breed’ campaign.
Words: Chekii Harling, Images: Max Barnett

VANITY FUR

Words: Chekii Harling, Images: Max Barnett

We pay a visit to Battersea to meet a cast of characterful canines as they take centre stage in some paw-some outfits to channel their inner cover star status. Read on to meet the dogs, shop this season’s most fetching looks and hear about Battersea’s ‘Rescue Is Our Favourite Breed’ campaign.

Just like us, every dog has their own personal style that matches their sensibilities. So, to champion the unique characters of our trusty four-legged friends and our new canine wardrobe accessories, we’ve cast former and current residents of Battersea – the UK’s leading animal rescue centre, founded in 1860 – for our latest editorial shoot, giving these pooches their turn in the spotlight.

From Oakley the Springer Spaniel channelling his outdoorsy side in a Maxbone rain jacket to Kora the cheeky Cane Corso with a penchant for print, come and meet our characterful cover stars…

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Meet the characterful canines

From hitting the high notes to stealing sausages, discover what makes our furry friends tick and the perfect outfits for their personalities.
Kora wears PAIKKA - Zebra-print stretch-woven shirt for dogs / WILD ONE - Matte dog collar
NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL

KORA, THE CANE CORSO

wears zebra-print sweater by Paikka and leather collar by Wild One

Nickname: Korbs / Korble Snorb / Chops
Adopted: 21 August 2018
Guilty Pleasure: Pizza (but she’s never very guilty about it!

If any dog can work a zebra-print sweater, it’s Kora the Cane Corso – a bold look that cleverly distracts from her sleepy disposition. With her huge paws and regal stance, you’re guaranteed to spot Kora taking centre stage at the local park in her Paikka sweater. But it isn’t just about looks – this snazzy stripy number also disturbs flying insects and has been treated with UV protection to prevent sunburn. Win-win (or should we say, woof-woof!).

Before Kora was rescued by Battersea, she had been subjected to ear cropping – an abhorrent and unnecessary procedure. Battersea and Selfridges support the #CutTheCrop campaign, which is calling on the Government to close loopholes in the law that allows ear cropping to continue in the UK.  Please visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/574305 to help put an end to this cruel practice.

Shop this season’s most fetching looks

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NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL
Emily wears BARBOUR - Quilted waterproof dog coat / KINTAILS - Logo-embossed leather dog collar (left)  / LISH - Dibden Linen Scraf / WILD ONE - Matte dog collar

EMILY, THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER

wears quilted waterproof dog coat by Barbour and leather collar by Kintails

Nickname: Princess
Adopted: November 2010
Guilty Pleasure: Playing with curtains

With the great outdoors her playground, Emily’s met her sartorial match with this quilted waterproof dog coat by Barbour – the iconic British brand known for its fusion of wit, grit and glamour. Emily’s English heritage and love of countryside excursions chime perfectly with Barbour, with its classic designs that combine fashion and functionality.

NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL
NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL
NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL

Fashion-forward collars and leads

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Oakley wears  MAXBONE - Talon water-repellent dog raincoat  /  WILD ONE - Matte dog collar
NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL

OAKLEY, THE ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL

wears Talon water-repellent raincoat by Maxbone and collar by Wild One

Nickname: Oaks
Adopted: 21 May 2018
Guilty Pleasure: Singing all day long

For doggies that are full of beans and love to let off some steam (hello English Cocker Spaniels), it’s key to have a wardrobe staple that will prep your canine companion for any eventuality. Enter Maxbone’s raincoat. Featuring all the classic details of a rain jacket – cue sturdy snap-off hood, adjustable cuffs, drawstrings and flap pockets – this versatile cover-up ensures Oakley is ready for anything the British weather throws at him.

For your four-legged friend’s favourite activities…

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NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL
Phoenix wears PAIKKA - Recovery dog shirt

PHOENIX, THE BORDER TERRIER

wears knitted Winter Recovery shirt by Paikka

Nickname: Feeney
Adopted: 5 February 2021
Guilty Pleasure: Smelly socks

With his signature shaggy look that reads ‘I just woke up like this’ and his adorable Paikka onesie, we suspect Phoenix has just come back from his adventures in snoozeland. Made from a special fabric that boosts circulationand improves blood-oxygen levels, Paikka’s Winter Recovery shirt is ideal for slipping on agile canines, like our friend Phoenix, post exercise to speed up recovery time –and encourage extra cuddles.

NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL
NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL
NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL

For the pampered pooch

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Oliver wears LISH - Dibden Linen Scarf in Khaki / WILD ONE - Matte dog collar
NEOUS ROSSI SLINGBACK HEELED SANDAL

OLIVER, THE ROTTWEILER

wears bandanna by Lish and collar by Wild One

Nickname: Hoggle
Adopted: 15 November 2020
Guilty Pleasure: Stealing sausages

For dogs with some serious swagger and shiny,flawless coats worth showing off, what better than a utilitarian bandanna by British brand Lish neatly tied over a cream Kintails collar? At just six months old, Oliver seems right at home rocking this cool accessory, which has been handcrafted from a lightweight, breathable linen. When he’s not stealing sausages, Oliver can be found working his street cred in his local park.

SELFRIDGES PRESENTS: INSIDE BATTERSEA

MEET BECKY LODDER

We met the charity’s Rehoming and Welfare Manager (and her rescue dog, Mable the Shih Tzu) to discover more about its mission, Mable’s cheeky side and how we can all support the animal rescue movement.

MEET BECKY LODDER

We met the charity’s Rehoming and Welfare Manager (and her rescue dog, Mable the Shih Tzu) to discover more about their mission, Mable’s cheeky side and how we can all support the animal rescue movement.
Mable wears WILD ONE - Cushioned small woven harness in Lilac / Lord Lou Beds (coming soon) 
When did you become passionate about the animal rescue movement?

I was working in a legal job in the City and realised it wasn’t giving me the satisfaction that I wanted. I had always loved animals since I was young and decided to make the change – I started at Battersea five years ago this month!

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Lots of animals that have come through Battersea’s doors that have had a really big impact on me and fostering them has always been a big part of my role. My last foster was a failed foster as I ended up keeping her – I was on 35 foster dogs at that point. Helping them settle into a new home and environment has been really rewarding.

What does Battersea hope to achieve with the ‘Rescue Is Our Favourite Breed’ campaign?

We want to reposition rescue for the public so that they really start to think rescue first when considering getting a new pet.

What makes Mable unique?

The facial expression and teeth are usually what gets a mention, but she’s got a great personality – all Shih Tzus usually have a quite cheeky side. She’ll spend most of the day fast asleep but when she is awake, she’s a little whirlwind, for sure.

What’s the naughtiest thing Mable’s ever done?

I once left my lunch on the dining room table and popped out to find the chicken from my Caesar salad was gone and Mable had mayonnaise all in her beard.

How does Mable brighten your day?

Just by being her, being cute. She’s there for that unconditional love. She really enjoys our company and when she’s there I’m that little bit happier.

How have preconceived ideas around animal rescue changed over the years?

A long time ago there were a lot more stray animals and rescue centres were overcrowded, quite noisy and generally sad places to be. There are a lot of adverts out there that talk about the quite difficult side to animal welfare so these days we really focus on all the positives. When animals come to Battersea they go through medical care and behavioural training, and we’re so proud of the fact that we’ve managed to match so many animals with the best new homes for them.

What can we all do to support the animal rescue movement?

There’s so much you can do to support your local rescue charities. At Battersea, we have lots of information on our website about donating to our causes or if you are looking to bring a new pet into your life – thinking of rescue first is a great way to support animal welfare. 

Mable wears WILD ONE - Cushioned small woven harness in Lilac 
What’s the naughtiest thing Mable’s ever done?

I once left my lunch on the dining room table and popped out to find the chicken from my Caesar salad was gone and Mable had mayonnaise all in her beard.

How does Mable brighten your day?

Just by being her, being cute. She’s there for that unconditional love. She really enjoys our company and when she’s there I’m that little bit happier.

How have preconceived ideas around animal rescue changed over the years?

A long time ago there were a lot more stray animals and rescue centres were overcrowded, quite noisy and generally sad places to be. There are a lot of adverts out there that talk about the quite difficult side to animal welfare so these days we really focus on all the positives. When animals come to Battersea they go through medical care and behavioural training, and we’re so proud of the fact that we’ve managed to match so many animals with the best new homes for them.

What can we all do to support the animal rescue movement?

There’s so much you can do to support your local rescue charities. At Battersea, we have lots of information on our website about donating to our causes or if you are looking to bring a new pet into your life – thinking of rescue first is a great way to support animal welfare. 

HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 

To support Battersea in their mission to provide loving homes for abandoned cats and dogs, use #RescueIsMyFavouriteBreed on social media or donate directly by clicking below.

Please note, profits generated from the products purchased within this page will not be donated to Battersea.

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