Gray's Kennels, Carlisle wins award for fourth year in a row

Gray's Kennels is located in Jeffrey's Wood and has been a caring home for dogs in Cumbria since the 1970s. 

Owner Richard Gray took over from his parents in 1996 when the premises were moved from Dalston to Jeffrey's Wood, and alongside his hardworking staff, he has steered the business to success at the North England Prestige Awards. 

The dogs are certainly well looked after at Gray's Kennels (Image: Gray's Kennels)

In February, they were crowned winners of the Dog Boarding Service of the Year in the north of England.

Speaking with the News & Star, Richard summed up why the business continues to be such a success. 

He said: "We've got 11 acres of woodland and excellent facilities. Our staff have been amazing, you could say we've got some of the best staff in the north of England.

"Some of them have been here for 26 years.

"We spend loads of time with the dogs and we cater for all their different needs. If they need to go on a walk with a lead then we do that, if they need to go in the pond they do that, or if they just want to race around in a controlled fashion they can do that in any of the four outdoor areas that we have got."

Lots of work is done to socialise the dogs (Image: Supplied)

Gray's also run a day care for dogs from early in the morning, to accommodate people who have to go into work, which is a great way to socialise all the different four-legged visitors who visit.

Richard has worked with dogs his whole life but never tires of all the different personalities of dogs that he helps to look after on a daily basis. 

He said: "It's interesting and challenging at the same time. You never tire of the characters that come through those gates.

"It's always challenging in a fun way, but there is always a way to win a dog over. You just have to care for them and understand them.

"I'd like to say thank you to all our amazing staff and wonderful customers."