Alex Ashman – Founder of Dougal’s Doggy Digs

A life filled with dogs & horses.

I’ve been surrounded by animals for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Edinburgh and Fife, my mum always had a good Springer Spaniel by her side, along with a steady stream of rescue dogs—many of whom had been written off as “problem dogs” before she worked her magic.

Horses quickly became my world when I started riding at Lasswade Riding School at five years old. My parents, who ran hotels, thought this was a great childcare solution during school holidays—until it backfired spectacularly! The first time I won a rosette, I was hooked. My dad, ever the competitor, encouraged me to go all in, and by 11, I was representing Scotland in Pony Team Showjumping. Soon after, I competed for Great Britain in three European Showjumping Championships.

At 18, I moved to Warwickshire to train with the legendary Liz and Ted Edgar. That was my version of university—an intense, unforgettable experience that shaped my career. After a year back in Scotland, my dad was keen for me to continue competing in England, so we bought Spartanwood Farm in 1999. It was a rundown property but in a brilliant location. There, I trained and competed horses, winning the British National Championships.

Dogs have always been part of my life. My first was a Westie named Daisy, who came with me to the Edgars’ and was treated like royalty. Liz Edgar, known as the “Queen of Showjumping,” had a pack of corgis who followed her everywhere—hence my soft spot for them!

Then came Hugo, my first Beagle. He was a rescue, found wandering the streets of Manchester. A true beagle, he had a knack for trouble—most notably sneaking off to the pub on Sundays, only to waddle home looking suspiciously full. Losing him at a young age was heartbreaking, but fate had other plans. While visiting Somerford, I spotted an advert for Beagle puppies. It turned out to be a litter I’d unknowingly already heard about, and that’s how I met Dougal.

At the time, my dad had a German Shorthaired Pointer, Elsie, who took it upon herself to lead Dougal astray. The two became notorious for their escapades—crashing local BBQs and visiting neighbors uninvited. Bottles of wine became my standard apology gift.

Then, a few years later, along came Brodie. At just four months old, he’d already been returned from three homes—too naughty for anyone to handle. Naturally, he fit right in with the Dougal’s clan! True to beagle form, he had a stubborn streak a mile long, and, to be honest, he can be a bit of a grump. I think a lot of people were probably intimidated by him at first, but really, he’s just a drama queen in a beagle suit. He gets told to suck it up, and deep down, I know he doesn’t mean it—he just likes to pretend he’s tougher than he is. He’s definitely a challenge, but he’s also a lot of fun.

In 2013, inspired by an episode of Escape to the Country (yes, really!), I decided to try something new. Struggling to make a living with horses, I put a free advert on Gumtree offering dog care. My mum wasn’t thrilled, and when I asked a friend for name ideas, my two suggestions were Hound Hotel or Dougal’s Doggy Digs. His response? “Are you 12?” Thankfully, I ignored him—because, let’s be honest, it’s the best name ever!

What started as a simple dog field with temporary fencing has now grown into something truly special. Today, we have a thriving community of wonderful dogs and owners, fantastic boarding and daycare facilities, and a lot of laughs along the way. I wouldn’t change it for the world.