The New Forest, and its dog owners group feature in this month's national Your Dog magazine. The reporter interviewed NFDOG committee member Verity Johnson. Several New Forest dog walks are also featured, including Lepe, Milkham Inclosure, and Rans Wood. 

Reporter Elizabeth Denholm writes: ‘Responsible dog walking Verity Johnson lives with husband Ian and son Henry, together with their 17 -month old black Labrador, Busby, in Brockenhurst.

The New Forest is one of the most dog-friendly places in the UK," enthused Verity. "There are water bowls outside shops and dogs are welcome in so many places, even clothes shops, which you just wouldn't fi nd anywhere else."

Verity is on the committee of the New Forest Dog Owners Group representing 1,300 dog owners in the area. The group aims to protect the freedom of dog owners who enjoy walking in the New Forest, while promoting responsible dog ownership.

"We all want the same thing to enjoy one of the most beautiful and magical parts of the country," she said.

"First and foremost, it's about promoting responsible dog ownership and walking within the forest. We have free-roaming cattle, ponies and donkeys, and at this time of year, pigs as well. The commoners who put them out to graze can get quite frustrated when people don't have their dogs under close control. No one wants a dog running up, and chasing ponies or foals in the spring. If you don't have good recall then you need to make sure that your dog is on the lead.’