Wentworth Woodhouse found some ‘pawsome’ help in its mission to find dry rot in four derelict buildings it plans to restore.
The Preservation Trust called in trusty Rothound Pip, a specialist in ‘nosing out’ the problem.
The energetic Sprocker spaniel and her handler Isabel of Mar spent an afternoon in the grounds of the Grade I listed country house.
They swiftly tracked down dry rot in its derelict Camellia House, Ostler’s House, Riding School and part of the Stable Block.
Dogs have long been trained to super-sleuth for everything from explosives and drug hauls to prized truffles.
Pip’s employers, Surrey-based Hutton and Rostron, are the only specialist building surveyors using air scenting dogs to sniff out the living fungus that causes dry rot.
Director Tim Hutton, a former Army veterinary surgeon, came up with the idea almost 30 years ago.
Pip, who was rehomed from a North Yorkshire farm, is four. Her training began when she turned two and has been ‘working’ for the company for 18 months.
She loves her job - it’s her favourite game, explained Pip’s handler, specialist surveyor Isabel.
“Her reward is playtime with her favourite squeaky toy. If we gave her snacks she would get too fat - and could be inclined to cheat,” said Isabel, 29, who has worked alongside Pip at large historic properties all over the UK and also runs the pooch’s Instagram page, Rothound_Pip.
“We can cover huge areas really quickly and very accurately. Pip lies down at the exact spot when she finds dry rot. I’ve never known her to miss any,” said Isabel. “My fellow surveyors can then do further investigation in that area."
Pip is a valued member of the Hutton and Rostron team. She can find dry rot in its early stages and in places where surveyors can’t get to - including behind panels, plasterwork or floorboards. It means building owners don’t have to tackle expensive and potentially damaging exploration work.
Sarah McLeod, CEO of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust said: “We were amazed to hear about Pip the rothound and how she can do the job so quickly and effectively.
“She was a huge help in tracking down dry rot in four of the old and empty buildings we plan to develop. It was fascinating to see Pip and Isabel at work and the bond of trust between them.”
The Trust aims to repair and regenerate the four historic buildings Pip ‘surveyed’.
