Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight

With 36 years in hunt service behind him, Robert McCarthy is one of the country’s most senior and most respected huntsmen. He talks to Tessa Waugh about Crufts, the current situation and life in Northumberland

LONDON’S MOST EXCLUSIVE SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, CLUBS, HOTELS AND HOMES ARE WELCOMING CANINE COMPANIONS LIKE NEVER BEFORE. FROM ANNABEL’S AND LIBERTY TO SCOTT’S AND J SHEEKEY, ALEXANDRA GOSS DISCOVERS TAILS WAGGING ACROSS TOWN, AND SEEKS ADVICE FROM THE CAPITAL’S MOST IN-DEMAND BEHAVIOURIST

BACK IN THE BAND WE PREDICT A RIOT ...

As winter relinquishes its grip, Tessa Waugh enjoys a copybook meet, with convivial chat, springy turf and good sport – while the real hunting aficionados demonstrate their teleporting skills

● It had been, until that point, an ...