Uptown Dogs’ founder Jamie has more than a soft spots for puppies. His first dog in 1990 (a working Belgian Shepherd) set him off on the path to working with dogs. In 1997,  Jamie started walking dogs on Hampstead Heath whilst still working in a completely different industry. Very quickly a successful referral-based business emerged. It became clear there was never going to be anything else that would hold his attention or interest in the same way that dogs would. Within 10 years, Jamie was also training dogs around Hampstead, and studying wherever he could find anything to do with puppies, such as Lincoln University’s animal behaviour science department and completing all of the UK’s APDT advanced dog training courses with distinction.  Jamie tops up his learning wherever he can. Even dabbling with some chicken, goat and tortoise training for fun.  Jamie’s most proud of his time as a trustee for StreetVet, a non-profit animal welfare charity that provides free veterinary treatment for the dogs of the homeless. This came about as a result of his setting up a free clinic for the dogs of the homeless in 2015,  offering students of the RVC the opportunity to work with these animals and their owners in a drop in centre called the West London mission, based in Westminster London.

In 1991, Liudmila acquired her first dog – a working German Shepard. After 4 years of recreational training, she was invited to study dog training with the Police. Shortly after, Liudmila began breeding German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois for working roles some of whom saw active duty during that time. Liudmila also began the first and only European association for American Staffordshire Bull Terriers, establishing a breed standard for temperament, along with health and welfare standards across Europe. Her personal dog interests are pet dog breeding, agility, IPO (a three-part sport that includes tracking, obedience and protection), basic competition training, scent work and, of course, puppies! Liudmila also shows dogs all over the world and has much success in that arena. She’s responsible for integrating new dogs into the Uptown Dogs family and heads up our Find Me a Puppy service.