Britain's Best Office Dog

At Interaction, we’ve spent over 30 years designing and building offices that enhance wellbeing, foster community and make work feel a little less like a chore and more like a joy. But what’s one thing no fit-out or fancy furniture can replicate? The boundless energy, unconditional love and occasional chaos that a dog can bring to the office.

That’s why we’re excited to launch Britain’s Best Office Do g, a nationwide competition celebrating the furry friends who make our workplaces better. Whether it’s the excuse for some time outdoors or their knack for boosting team morale, we think office dogs deserve their moment in the spotlight.

Are dogs the ultimate colleagues?

Short answer: yes. But don’t just take our word for it – there’s plenty of research to back up what we already know about our furry friends. Here’s what an office dog does for a workspace:

Reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing

Dogs are natural stress-relievers. Studies have shown that dogs in the office significantly reduce work-related stress, creating a happier, more relaxed work environment. Pet-friendly workplaces can boost employees’ happiness, helping reduce stress and even the risk of burnout. Dogs helps increase oxytocin (the “cuddle hormone”) and reduce cortisol, lowering anxiety and promoting relaxation. Just 10-15 minutes of stroking a dog can lower your heart rate and blood pressure by up to 10%.

With workplace stress leading to 17.9 million working days lost annually in the UK, dogs could be the secret to happier, healthier teams. In fact, 2018 research done by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) found that 85% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces report taking fewer wellbeing-related sick days compared to those in non-pet-friendly companies. That’s not just a morale boost – it’s good business sense.

Dogs promote physical health

Not only do office dogs improve our mental wellbeing, but they can benefit our physical wellbeing too. Dogs are a brilliant excuse to get up from your desk. A quick stroll with the office pooch not only gets the blood flowing but also resets focus and energy levels, which in turn can improve productivity. These short but regular breaks are a natural antidote to the health risks of sedentary work, helping employees stay both productive and healthy.

Increase team bonding

Dogs are the ultimate ice-breakers, sparking conversations that help build connections across departments. Companies like Nestlé have noted the unique ability of dogs to improve workplace camaraderie and encourage collaboration. According to Nestlé, 24% think that having a dog in the office improves human relationships. A dog-friendly office doesn’t just feel friendlier – it is friendlier.

Enhance engagement and reduce turnover

Happy workplaces are productive workplaces. The HABRI research shows that 90% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces feel engaged in their roles compared to just 65% in non-pet-friendly offices. This improved level of engagement often leads to better staff retention, with your top talent less inclined to look elsewhere.

Dogs promote a positive work image

For job seekers, pet-friendly policies are an attractive perk. A 2019 survey found nearly half of young adults were more likely to apply for jobs at dog-friendly companies. By welcoming dogs, businesses signal their commitment to employee wellbeing, making them stand out in a competitive hiring market.

Better flexibility, better retention

Allowing dogs can make the workplace feel more inclusive and flexible. Dog owners appreciate not needing to pay for doggy-daycare or worry about leaving their pets alone, removing a significant logistical barrier for those who might otherwise prefer to work remotely.

There is also the rise in “lockdown puppies” to consider, referring to the many employees who became dog owners during the pandemic. In the UK, households bought 3.2 million pets during lockdown – that’s a lot of new dogs for employees to consider. By supporting dog-friendly policies, companies make life easier for pet owners, which in turn can improve retention.

Britain’s Best Office Dog: The Competition

At Interaction, we’re on a mission to Banish Boring Offices. We create workplaces that prioritise people, wellbeing and community – and that includes our furry friends. Dogs in offices align with everything we stand for: workplaces that are vibrant, inclusive and places you really want to spend time in. As the stats show, dogs bring undeniable benefits to morale, mental health and even productivity. By hosting the Britain’s Best Office Dog competition, we’re shining a light on the four-legged colleagues who bring so much to our workspaces.

How it works

We’re inviting dog owners across the UK to nominate their canine colleagues. Submissions open Monday 2nd December, and will remain open throughout 2025 until Friday 12th December 2025 – so you have plenty of time to submit your entry. Each month in 2025, we’ll crown a monthly winner, culminating in a grand finale to name Britain’s Best Office Dog in December 2025.

To enter, simply share a photo of your dog at work, tell us about their impact on your office wellbeing and throw in a funny story or two. And don’t worry, if your dog doesn’t win one month, you’re welcome to re-enter later in the year. You can download the entry form here.

What’s at stake?

Every month, the winning dog will receive a doggy prize box from Bella’s Box. Not only that, but the winning dog’s office will receive a hamper of delicious goodies for the whole office to enjoy.

The grand prize? A luxurious two-night stay at one of Britain’s finest dog-friendly hotels for the winning dog and their owner – the ultimate way to say “thank you” to the best colleague you’ve ever had.

Who’s judging?

We’ve lined up three expert judges who are ready and waiting to judge your fluffy colleagues.

Emily Birch is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and the owner of The Office Dog, who help businesses create pet friendly workspaces, letting them reap the rewards of having dogs in their offices. Outside of work, Emily has two border collies and one cocker spaniel that she trains in agility in her spare time, so she’s never far from a dog or two!

Dr Eloise Warrilow is an Occupational Psychologist and Researcher and she knows just how much joy dogs can bring to a workplace. Eloise has written a Thesis for University of London called ‘Dog-friendly workplaces: what works, what does not, and what lessons have been learned’. She can’t wait to celebrate all the fantastic office dogs out there.

Garry James is the marketing guru at coworking firm, FOUNDRY. All of FOUNDRY’s offices are dog-friendly and Garry loves getting to work with some friendly pooches. He’s looking forward to seeing some great photos of your office dogs!

Who can enter?

This competition is open to employees of office-based businesses (sorry, no home workers or non-office environments). It’s all about celebrating dogs that thrive in traditional workplace settings. Your dog needs to visit the office regularly (at least once a month) to qualify.

You can download your entry form here.

Why are we doing this?

At Interaction, we design and build offices that reflect the unique culture of every organisation we work with, from coworking spaces to corporate headquarters. But beyond the physical space, we know that what truly makes an office special is its people – and sometimes, its dogs.

By highlighting the role dogs play in workplace wellbeing, we hope to inspire businesses to think creatively about how they can support their teams.

So, is your office pup ready for their big break? Enter our Britain’s Best Office Dog competition today and let the tail-wagging begin.

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