Meet the Londonder: Dracula, the Iggy

Last Updated on 26. September 2023

In today’s episode of Meet the Londoner we meet a dog whom I instantly liked due to his breed and name: Dracula, the Iggy. In the interview he will share how life as a dog in London is, where he lives and how a perfect day looks like.

Meet the Londoner: Dracula, the Iggy

Who are you? Please introduct yourself.

I am Dracula, an Iggy boy who just moved to Richmond. I was born in Doncaster, which is far North of London.

What’s your breed?

Italian Greyhound

How old are you?

Nearly 9 months old!

What’s the story behind your name?

My dad is a HUGE horror movie fan, and my mum mentioned how much I looked like a little fruit bat when I was teeny. The rest is history!

Where in London do you live?

We recently moved to Richmond. We previously lived in Kensal Rise, which is North West London.

Which are the things you do on a perfect day?

Wake up and laze in bed cuddling my owners for as long as possible, until I finally give in and wake up to go outside. Then I love to run around my garden for a bit, playing fetch is a must, and if I’m lucky they will give me something fun to destroy like a head of lettuce or a cardboard box! And then I finally retreat to the sofa, snuggled in between my owners.

When did you start your internet career?

We made my Instagram account the day I came home, so I was just over 8 weeks old! My owners wanted to share cute pics of me for their friends and family but then it turned out that strangers wanted to follow me too!

What’s your favourite game?

Tug with my mums socks.

Do you enjoy being recognized on the streets?

There were a handful of friendly humans I met near our old house who would always recognise me when out and about, and would shout ‘DRACULA!!’, it makes me happy that we’re always seem excited to see me, and I enjoy jumping up to give them lots of cuddles.

Dracula on London

What’s a must-see sight in London?

Richmond park! It is HUGE and wonderful. There are lots of wild deer there.

3 words to describe London?

Big, unique, diverse.

Dog-friendliest area of London?

Probably Hampstead Heath, there are so many dog friendly bookshops, coffee shops, pubs, and cafes around there. You may even spot a few celebs!

Which restaurant is dog-friendly?

Surprisingly, lots! Especially if you eat outside, we have found that if you ask politely, most are willing to let pups hang around. Our favourite is ‘Arthur’s Cafe’, a small but lively cafe in Kensal Rise which does the BEST all day full English breakfasts. We sit outside when I join my humans.

Which is your favourite shop?

Oliver Bonas does cute human and dog bits and is dog friendly!

And a pub you enjoy visiting?

The Whippet Inn in Kensal Rise – they are dog friendly and do yummy cocktails and food.

Which is your favourite park?

Hampstead Heath – beautiful views and there are always lots

Questions for Dracula’s humans:

What’s the advantage of owing an Iggy?

They are truly unlike any other dog (I know every dog owner says that about their own dog, but it’s true!). They have so much personality and are so silly and goofy while also being incredibly smart, affectionate and loving. Dracula is truly like a human baby, he makes us laugh every day and gives the best cuddles. He is pretty tiny which is a huge advantage when travelling anywhere as he is light and fits perfectly on my lap. Iggys do get cold quite easily as they are so little and don’t have an undercoat, so you have to be prepared to buy/make jumpers and onesies for them! They are also sadly quite susceptible to leg breaks as they enjoy leaping around and have skinny little legs, so that’s also something you may need to consider if you are thinking about getting an Iggy.

How dog friendly is London?

I would say it is fairly dog friendly, but could be better. Certain places such as Kensal Rise, Hampstead Heath, etc. are great, whereas other areas more central are a bit more tricky. Buses and trains are usually fine as Dracula is little and we don’t have to pay extra for him, but if he was any bigger we may struggle. We often carry him when walking in crowds as he can get a little anxious. My workplace is dog friendly, and my partner is an actor, the theatre he currently works in is dog friendly so Drax often chills in the dressing room while he is on stage. We have found that as long as we carry Dracula, most places are willing to let him accompany us. Some cinemas even do dog friendly screenings!

Does Draxie have to walk on the lead all the time?

His recall isn’t 100% yet, so we always prefer to keep his lead on, or we may let him run around with a dropped lead if the park is quiet. He is a sight hound so can run SUPER FAST – we would never catch him if he decided to run off, which scares us!

Does Draxie always accompany you? If not, where do you go without him?

Pretty much! He is still young so we don’t leave him alone for very long. We don’t really do much clubbing, but occasionally enjoy a night out in Soho, or a Taylor Swift themed club night (Swiftogeddon)!

Where do you go for a nice dinner?

Ida in Queens Park is a gorgeous, cosy, traditional Italian restaurant run by a husband and wife. They hand roll all their pasta and do the most delicious food, all accompanied by a wonderful romantic atmosphere. It’s truly magical.

Dracula the Iggy on Social Media

Follow the lovely little iggy on Instagram (@dracula.the.italian.greyhound) or TikTok (@dracula.iggy).

Thanks so much, Jasmine and Dracula for the lovely interview. Hope to meet you soon in Richmond Park.