A selection of dog-friendly holidays

On a special website - thewoofguide.co.uk - Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire has lots of pet-friendly properties and also has sections highlighting dog-friendly pubs, restaurants and activities.

All featured cottages have been specially reviewed - with a 'paw rating' - for their suitability for five categories of pet - everything from pups to pensioners.

For example, a week's stay at White Sails, a three-bedroom cottage (sleeps six) in Saundersfoot, close to Glen Beach for 'walkies', is £662 in early May. Dog friendly activities nearby include boat trips to Caldey Island, while attractions that permit well-behaved pets include Carew Castle and Heatherton Country Sports Park. See coastalcottages.co.uk or thewoofguide.co.uk.

Avoid the kennel fees - and the guilt - by making 2009 the year that all the family, including the dog, holiday together.

Dogs travel free with Irish Ferries and, unlike for the rest of Europe, Ireland does not require a 'pet passport' or special jabs that have to be arranged months in advance.

The operator also features self-catering holiday villages where pets are welcome. For example, a week at the four-star Ballyhoura Forest Homes in Co Limerick - with miles of walking trails in the Ballyhoura Mountains - costs £418 for two adults, with up to two children (and the dog) travelling and staying free. Price - which includes a saving of £50 if booked by 6 March - is for travel between 4 - 17 April and includes return Pembroke/Rosslare or Holyhead/Dublin ferry crossings.

See irishferries.com for more details.