Dogs have been cast in a variety of starring roles over the years: from their first cinema appearance in the 1894 film Athlete with Wand to the Hollywood classic Lassie Come Home, where the eponymous dog embarks on a journey to her Yorkshire home. And that is the very same location in which a little Yorkshire Terrier will today add another string to the dog's venerable bow of feats in front of the camera: by becoming the world's first canine travel show presenter.
The world's first travelogue series hosted by a dog has been commissioned by Visit York and gives viewers the opportunity to embark on an adventure into the heart of England's iconic historic city and its surrounding countryside from the perspective of one of Yorkshire's most famous exports: the Yorkshire Terrier, otherwise affectionately known as a 'Yorkie'.
The three-part travelogue series has been directly inspired by the hugely popular concept of 'slow TV' and comprises long stretches of uninterrupted, unhurried footage captured from behind Yorkie - allowing viewers to take in the beauty of York and North Yorkshire's stunning landscapes and visitor attractions in an entirely new way. Dressed in a special adventurer's outfit, complete with Visit York and Yorkshire Rose pin badges, throughout the series Yorkie gives the likes of Michaels Palin and Portillo a run for their money.
You can watch him strolling along the twisting, narrow lane of one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe, Shambles, getting a 'VIP guest' dogs-eye view of the giant locomotives at the National Railway Museum, taking a scenic journey in the cosy compartments and wood panelled carriages of a steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, meandering through the enchanting landscapes of the North York Moors National Park and roaming the ruins of Whitby Abbey perched high on the east cliff above Whitby.
'Yorkie', the adventurous pooch also meets with Viking fans from the site of one of the most astounding discoveries of modern archaeology, at the Jorvik Viking Centre, trots around the gardens of one of Britain's finest stately homes; Castle Howard, dines at the birthplace of a notorious plotter; The Guy Fawkes Inn and explores the history of the city's chocolate making heritage at York's Chocolate Story.
The travelogue series has been launched in partnership with City of York Council, North Yorkshire County Council and Virgin Trains to celebrate Visit York's 'the Original City Adventure' campaign aimed at encouraging visitors to plan their very own adventure in York and North Yorkshire.
As one of the world's most dog loving nations, Visit York aims to showcase the many adventures on offer in the region through the eyes of this adorable pooch and tourism chiefs are keen to point out this is not a guide to dog friendly venues in the area, though well behaved dogs are of course welcome with their owners!
Kate McMullen, Head of Tourism, Make It York, said of the travelogue's launch: 'We know that photos and videos of lovable animals, especially dogs are really popular on social media. So by commissioning this travelogue series through the eyes of 'Yorkie', an adorable Yorkshire Terrier, we aim to give newcomers to York and York fans a fun flavour of the adventure that awaits you here in beautiful York and North Yorkshire. We hope our viewers will enjoy watching Yorkie explore York and North Yorkshire.'
