Downton Abbey Bans Dogs on Set? Rumor Is All Bark and No Bite, Estate Says

E.

by Alexis L. Loinaz

Has Downton Abbey gone to the dogs?

Sure, the hit British series' opening credits famously show a gorgeous Labrador prancing across the castle's verdant grounds. But, if local media reports are to be believed, the estate's real-life owners may not be feeling too friendly toward man's best friend.

The Daily Mail is claiming that the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, who own the magnificent Highclere Castle in Newbury, where Downton Abbey is filmed, have banned the show's cast members from bringing their dogs with them on set.

A source reportedly told the paper that Lady Carnarvon clamped down on furry visitors "because she doesn't like the dogs going in certain areas in case they cause a mess."

The source also claimed that one of the countess' Labradors—she has five dogs of her own—gets "jealous when rival dogs are on set." (Apparently, bitchy behavior spills well beyond the prickly Dowager Countess. Woof!)

The estate's honchos, however, insist that the reports couldn't be farther from the truth.

"There is no ban from us," the Carnarvors' spokeswoman tells Today.com.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.eonline.com/news/451004/downton-abbey-bans-dogs-on-set-rumor-is-all-bark-and-no-bite-estate-says