Much like the Andrex puppy or Churchill nodding bulldog, the Dulux dog has firmly held its place in the British advertising zeitgeist for the last 65 years.
But now a new puppy is stepping into the paint brand’s iconic role. A 20-month-old Old English Sheepdog, called Dorothy, has just been announced as the latest face of Dulux.
Set to star in a new national TV campaign this March, Dorothy is following a long family tradition – with her mum, Vienna, and grandmother, Olivia, previously holding the prestigious roles. In fact, every Dulux dog from the past decade comes from the same family line.
Owner and breeder Ellen Wheeler knew early on that Dorothy, affectionately known as ‘Dot’, was special – especially after bouncing back from a touch-and-go start to her life.
Ellen said: “She is such a gentle sweetheart who had such a traumatic start to life. We struggled to keep her alive for the first three to four days after birth. She was so tiny we named her Dot because she weighed less than half the other puppies.
“We had to keep her warm with hot water bottles and make sure she fed by holding her against her mum, as she wasn’t strong enough to stay on herself.
“We couldn’t let her go to a new home – nobody would realise how much fight she had to survive. She was our special little girl.”
Dorothy stars in the new TV advert alongside six puppies aged between eight weeks and six months.
This new campaign comes at the perfect time too, as Old English Sheepdogs have been listed by The Royal Kennel Club as a vulnerable breed. In 2020, just 227 puppies were registered in the UK – a six-decade low.
A Royal Kennel Club Spokesperson said: "The landscape of Britain’s favourite dogs has continued to shift in recent years, with some historic native breeds now so rare that they could be at risk of disappearing from our streets and parks – struggling to compete with newer, more fashionable breeds.
"The Old English Sheepdog peaked as the UK’s 9th favourite breed in 1979 and 1980 but then numbers began to decline with the breed currently on our vulnerable breed list.
“It's therefore great to see Dulux continuing to shine a light on this particular breed which brings joy to so many people.”
12 easy-to-clean waterproof dog beds
The Earthbound Classic Waterproof Dog Bed is the ultimate in hard-wearing dog luxury, featuring a premium heavy duty waterproof polyester outer, while the removable (and reversible) inner cushion features waterproof polyester on one side and a soft sherpa on the other, making this the perfectly practical cosy spot for you dog to rest after an adventure outdoors. The Earthbound Classic Waterproof Dog Bed is machine washable at 30 degrees, for easy removal of muddy paw prints and odours.
Designed for comfort, Bedsure beds are filled with premium microfiber in separate chambers and ultra soft reversible design. This pet bedding creates the ultimate place for your pet to rest and relax. The beds have a durable scratch-resistant surface and designed to resist water like dog sweat or urine.
danish design Danish Design - Blue Maritime Box Duvet
This Danish Design Maritime Blue Box Duvet bed features combinations of linen look stripes and denim look textures in three relaxed colour-ways, all highlighted by a special nautical edition of the Danish Design embroidered paw.
Ellie-Bo Waterproof Dog Beds in Green - Tailor made to fit cages and crates (34" - Fits 36" Large Dog Cage)
This Ellie-Bo Waterproof Dog Bed features a removable and machine washable waterproof outer cover made from Oxford weave. It also has a waterproof and breathable inner cover.
Guaranteed4Less Dog Bed Mattress Cushion Waterproof Double Sided Puppy Pet Pillow Mat Washable (Medium, Red)
This popular paw print pet mattress has a double sided waterproof pet cushion with carry handle and paw print motif. Both sides are waterproof but only one side has the printed motif. It has a zip fastening with removable cushion.
AllPetSolutions Dexter Beds Soft Waterproof Washable Hardwearing Basket Dog Bed (M, Grey)
The waterproof hard wearing Oxford fabric is easy to clean, highly durable and is suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes. The bed cover zips off, making it easy to remove for cleaning. The cover is 100% machine washable. Non-slip backing, ideal for use on polished floors and tiles.
This Orvis bed has a soft quilted sleep surface, and a streamlined bolster make it comfortable for your dog. The ComfortFill-Eco cushion is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles and doesn't flatten or clump.
The three-sided bolster provides security and support for dogs who prefer a place to lean or rest their head, whilst the one open side makes this bed easy for dogs of all ages to get on and off. The upholstery-grade cover is as durable as it is incredibly soft. 100% polyester. Washable. Personalise with embroidery, up to 15 letters.
HarleyandCho YELLOW Dog bed with removable cover / bright dog nest MUSTARD / XS - Xxl size mat for dog, Gift for dog owners
This best-selling yellow dog bed comes with a machine washable removable cover. It's made of high-quality furniture fabrics, which allows your pet to feel very comfortable inside. Elastic pillows provide pets safety and comfort.
This waterproof pet mattress helps your dog relax and sleep comfortably by keeping them supported, warm and dry. The laminated fabric of the bed helps to repel water and although the bed is strong and durable, it is still comfortable for them to sleep or rest on. The removable cover and removable internal pad are both machine washable for when you need to clean it.
This Petface water resistant mattress is designed to help keep your dog's bed clean. It comes with a removable berber fleece top cover which you can easily take off and reattach with the poppers. The removable cover is machine washable and the wipe clean base makes cleaning super easy. The non slip backing helps to keep the bed still as your dog gets on and off.
P&L Country Dog Tough Heavy Duty Rectangular High Sided Waterproof Dog Beds in 3 Sizes Medium, Large & XL/Jumbo
The ideal dog bed for country dogs who get wet and dirty on a regular basis. The tough, heavy duty, hard-wearing, 100% polyester, waterproof material is easy to keep clean. The thick base cushion is removable and the high walls of this bed are filled with bonded thermal polyester fibre to insulate your pet from the cold floor and keep it out of draughts.
This dog bed is thickly padded on all sides to provide warmth and extra comfort with reversible cushions. It's also machine washable and has a non-slip base.
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Lizzie is the Daily Editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
