WEYMOUTH Beach has been named among the most 'dog-friendly' in the UK.

New research commissioned by More Than revealed that Recent heatwaves across the country have led to the highest the number of pet insurance claims for heatstroke since 2019.

According to the study, the best dog-friendly beaches have shaded areas (57%), a fresh-water supply (51%), nearby parking (44%) and large open sandy spaces (44%).

Weymouth made the list thanks to its "dedicated dog exercise area with a pebbly beach, perfect for avoiding sandy fur".

Nearly two thirds (63%) of dog-owners find it difficult to protect their dog from the sun whilst on the beach.

Common concerns dog-owners cite when taking their pups to the beach is having enough fresh water to keep them hydrated (31%), protecting their pet’s paws from the hot ground (27%), and stopping them from eating rubbish left on the beach (26%).

The findings reveal how our pups have become a key part of the holiday decision-making process, with over half (56%) of owners changing the type of holidays they’re going on to accommodate for their furry friend, and 55% say that they would travel further for a more dog-friendly beach.

The nation’s top dog-friendly beaches are as follows:

• Brean Beach, Somerset

• Weymouth Beach, Dorset

• Fistral Beach, Cornwall

• Weston-super-Mare beach, Somerset

• Holkham Beach, Norfolk

• North Beach at Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

• Runswick Bay, Yorkshire

• West Wittering Beach, West Sussex

• Harbour Cove, Cornwall

• Rhossili Bay Beach, Swansea

almost two thirds of dog-owners (63%) have found it difficult to protect their dogs from the sun on a beach trip this summer.

Graham Nicholls, Head of Pet Insurance at MORE THAN comments: “We all want to spend time and have fun with our dogs but taking them to the seaside can cause a lot of worry. Not all beaches allow dogs and, of those that do, they can be stressful places for dogs to enjoy, especially during peak season. At the same time, dogs cannot keep cool as easily as we can, leading to heatstroke quickly, and so keeping your dogs out of the hot sun and creating a safe environment for them is crucial."