Africandawns is a family run business which was founded in 1976 by Tony Johnson, an established dog trainer and breeder with extensive experience in gundog training, scent work, police and security dog training. Tony’s wife Jacqui joined the team and the ran the kennels successfully together for many years, they built up a wonderful relationship with their clients, with many returning for boarding and training years later with additional dogs. Tony and Jacqui brought up their two sons, Oliver and Dominic, at the kennels with the boys getting involved in kennel life and with all the animals from a young age.
Unfortunately, in June 2022, Tony passed away leaving Jacqui to manage the kennels with her team. In July 2025 Tony and Jacqui’s sons; Dominic and Oliver returned to the home they grew up in and began to manage the business. Along with all the staff, Dominic and Oliver share the same ethos of providing a home away from home for all dogs in their care. At Africandawns we offer plenty of outdoor time, cosy heated kennels and lots of love and play. The physical and mental wellbeing of the dogs in our care is of utmost importance.
Oliver – passionate about animal well-being. He makes sure to know every dog here at Africandawns and spends as much time with each one as he can. He is a big man with a big heart and is here at the kennels to greet your dogs come rain or shine and at all hours of the day. Oliver really does have an eclectic variety of his own dogs ranging from huge Romanian mountain dogs to his Lhasa Apso and Jack Russel and of course his beloved beagle Ava who is never far from his side. Oliver will go out of his way to make sure that your dog has the best experience possible while staying with us.
Dominic - formerly a primary school teacher, Dominic has now moved with his young family back to the kennels. As part of the training team, he believes in the importance of providing ‘real-world’ experiences for our trainers so that both the dogs and owners can be successful once they return home to their everyday life. Dominic enjoys time with his young family who love to be outside with all the animals. He spent many years working with his parents and picking up tips from their vast experience in dog training. He now tries to apply this along with his own ethos in the implementation of the training programmes here at Africandawns. If you are a regular visitor to the kennels, you will have seen Dominic’s Belgian Malinois cross, Kylo. Dominic also holds a Level 3 qualification in Animal Welfare and Behaviour for Boarding and Daycare.
Vicki - is one of the dog trainers here, at Africandawns. She has always had a love for dogs and their behaviour, so much so she studied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at University, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 2017. In the same year, she joined Africandawns as an assistant dog trainer to Tony, working her way up over her 8 years with us, to become one of the lead trainers here today. Vicki grew up with Irish Water Spaniels and now has a Miniature Long-Haired Dachshund, Minnie, who can often be seen helping with training sessions.
Rosie – has been with us here for many years and gets to know all of our boarders really well. She aims to make sure that they have a great experience here on their holidays and get plenty of cuddles and games in the exercise paddocks. Rosie uses her experience to make assessments of animals throughout the day and will make note of any changes in behaviour. Her experience here at Africandawns is vital. She has her own Jack Russel, Cooper who comes to work with her most days. Rosie holds a Level Two Certificate in Animal Care and Welfare.
Anita – has also worked at Africandawns for a number of years and makes sure that she gets to know all the dogs while they are here and ensures that they have an enriched stay with us. Anita has a Standard Long-Haired Dachshund, Mona, who also joins her at work and enjoys socialising with the other dogs while she is here.
Lucy – has worked at Africandawns since the summer of July 2022. She brings her Cavalier King Charles, Bertie, in with her so he can have a day out of the house and play with the different dogs we have here at the kennels. Lucy has also been given the opportunity to achieve her Level 2/3 Animal Welfare qualification at the kennels. She makes sure no stone is left unturned and is meticulous in her level of care for each and every dog while they are here. Lucy has many different commitments after work times. She plays netball is in the air cadets. Lucy is currently training for the RAF, so she likes to hit the gym after work. She will be staying here with us until she leaves for the RAF.
The founders, Tony and Jacqui Johnson
Unfortunately, in June 2022, Tony passed away leaving Jacqui to manage the kennels with her team. In July 2025 Tony and Jacqui’s sons; Dominic and Oliver returned to the home they grew up in and began to manage the business. Along with all the staff, Dominic and Oliver share the same ethos of providing a home away from home for all dogs in their care. At Africandawns we offer plenty of outdoor time, cosy heated kennels and lots of love and play. The physical and mental wellbeing of the dogs in our care is of utmost importance.
Meet the team
Jacqui – has always had a love for animals and this is evident in the care and attention she is renowned for by all the customers here at Africandawns. She worked alongside her husband, Tony, for many years and learnt many valuable skills in animal welfare and behaviour form his expertise which she continues to pass down to the whole team. As you would expect, Jacqui has had many dogs over the years of all shapes and sizes. Jacqui now has Africa, Tony’s retired assistance labrador, Squirrel the pug and Ferret the mini dachshund. All of which can often be seen around the site and even greeting regular customers.Oliver – passionate about animal well-being. He makes sure to know every dog here at Africandawns and spends as much time with each one as he can. He is a big man with a big heart and is here at the kennels to greet your dogs come rain or shine and at all hours of the day. Oliver really does have an eclectic variety of his own dogs ranging from huge Romanian mountain dogs to his Lhasa Apso and Jack Russel and of course his beloved beagle Ava who is never far from his side. Oliver will go out of his way to make sure that your dog has the best experience possible while staying with us.
Dominic - formerly a primary school teacher, Dominic has now moved with his young family back to the kennels. As part of the training team, he believes in the importance of providing ‘real-world’ experiences for our trainers so that both the dogs and owners can be successful once they return home to their everyday life. Dominic enjoys time with his young family who love to be outside with all the animals. He spent many years working with his parents and picking up tips from their vast experience in dog training. He now tries to apply this along with his own ethos in the implementation of the training programmes here at Africandawns. If you are a regular visitor to the kennels, you will have seen Dominic’s Belgian Malinois cross, Kylo. Dominic also holds a Level 3 qualification in Animal Welfare and Behaviour for Boarding and Daycare.
Vicki - is one of the dog trainers here, at Africandawns. She has always had a love for dogs and their behaviour, so much so she studied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at University, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 2017. In the same year, she joined Africandawns as an assistant dog trainer to Tony, working her way up over her 8 years with us, to become one of the lead trainers here today. Vicki grew up with Irish Water Spaniels and now has a Miniature Long-Haired Dachshund, Minnie, who can often be seen helping with training sessions.
Rosie – has been with us here for many years and gets to know all of our boarders really well. She aims to make sure that they have a great experience here on their holidays and get plenty of cuddles and games in the exercise paddocks. Rosie uses her experience to make assessments of animals throughout the day and will make note of any changes in behaviour. Her experience here at Africandawns is vital. She has her own Jack Russel, Cooper who comes to work with her most days. Rosie holds a Level Two Certificate in Animal Care and Welfare.
Anita – has also worked at Africandawns for a number of years and makes sure that she gets to know all the dogs while they are here and ensures that they have an enriched stay with us. Anita has a Standard Long-Haired Dachshund, Mona, who also joins her at work and enjoys socialising with the other dogs while she is here.
Lucy – has worked at Africandawns since the summer of July 2022. She brings her Cavalier King Charles, Bertie, in with her so he can have a day out of the house and play with the different dogs we have here at the kennels. Lucy has also been given the opportunity to achieve her Level 2/3 Animal Welfare qualification at the kennels. She makes sure no stone is left unturned and is meticulous in her level of care for each and every dog while they are here. Lucy has many different commitments after work times. She plays netball is in the air cadets. Lucy is currently training for the RAF, so she likes to hit the gym after work. She will be staying here with us until she leaves for the RAF.
The founders, Tony and Jacqui Johnson
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