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International Pup Cup 2026: Meet the Pups Behind the Three Lions

• Andrea Barrett

With Thomas Tuchel officially naming his 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup, the countdown to North America is on. But while the players are busy preparing for Group L clashes against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, we’re taking a look at the true VIPs (Very Important Pups) keeping England's finest grounded.

 

From protection dogs to fluffy balls of fun, meet the dogs behind the Three Lions!

 

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1. Harry Kane & His NFL-Inspired Labradors (Brady & Wilson)

 

  • Position: Forward / Captain
  • The Pups: Labradors named Brady and Wilson
  • The Story: England’s captain is famously a massive NFL fan, so much so that he named his two loyal Labradors after legendary quarterbacks Tom Brady and Russell Wilson.

 

Kane often posts updates about his dogs on social media. He has previously mentioned that daily dog walks are his favourite way to recharge mentally away from the high-pressure demands of the pitch.

 

Advice for Harry Kane and his labradors

Grooming Advice: Labradors have dense, double coats that are notorious for heavy shedding, especially during seasonal changes. To keep Brady and Wilson looking their best, we highly recommend a deshedding tool like the Groomers Metal Moulting Rake to gently remove loose undercoat hair. Follow up with the Groomers Performance Deep Clean Shampoo to easily wash away the mud from those relaxing, mental-recharge country walks!

2. Declan Rice & Raffa the Cockapoo

  • Position: Midfielder
  • The Pup: Raffa (Cockapoo)
  • The Story: The driving force in England's midfield has a softer side when he's off the clock. Rice is a proud pet parent to Raffa, a high-energy, incredibly fluffy Cockapoo. Rice often credits Raffa as a central part of his family life, keeping him on his toes when he's back from training. Here is the pair recreating their favourite picture together at home.

Advice for Declan Rice and his Cockapoo

Grooming Advice: Cockapoos like Raffa have curly, thick coats that look adorable but are highly prone to painful matting if left unchecked. A high-quality slicker brush paired with the Choca-Doodle Comb Thru' Spray is essential for daily brushing to keep knots at bay. Regular use of the Choca-Doodle 2 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo will also ensure the curls stay soft, bouncy, and manageable between professional salon visits.

3. Marcus Rashford & Saint the Cane Corso

  • Position: Forward
  • The Pup: Saint (Cane Corso)
  • The Story: Rashford doesn't mess around when it comes to companionship and security. His massive Cane Corso, Saint, was trained by the elite protection dog company Chaperone K9.

In an interview with GQ Magazine, Rashford named Saint as one of the 10 Things He Couldn’t Live Without. Make sure to watch the video below.

Advice for Marcus Rashford and his Cane Corso

Grooming Advice: A Cane Corso boasts a short, smooth coat that is relatively low-maintenance but needs regular conditioning to maintain its majestic, protective shine. We suggest using a rubber Palm Pal Brush to remove loose hair and distribute natural oils, alongside a spritz of the Groomers Signature Evening Primrose Oil Coat Conditioning Spray for a moisture boost. This routine will keep Saint’s skin hydrated and his coat looking as sharp and sleek as Rashford on the wing.

4. Jordan Pickford & His Fluffy Cavapoo Rubie

  • Position: Goalkeeper
  • The Pup: Rubie the Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Poodle mix)
  • The Story: England’s vocal number one may be intense on the pitch, but at home, he answers to a tiny, adorable Cavapoo. The Pickford family dog has such a big presence that during a previous tournament, the England social media team actually commissioned a hilarious, official "royal portrait" of the pup in a crown and regal attire to hang in Jordan's hotel room! Find adorable family lifestyle and dog snaps on Jordan's account (@jpickford1) or his wife Megan’s profile (@megan_pickford).

Advice for Jordan Pickford and his Cavapoo

Grooming Advice: Just like Cockapoos, Cavapoos require consistent at-home grooming to stop their soft, wavy fur from tangling and trapping outdoor debris. We advise keeping a Groomers Simply G Matt Breaker on hand to safely work through any stubborn knots before they turn into major mats. Finish off their bath routine with the Groomers Signature Evening Primrose Oil Conditioner to ensure that royal-portrait-worthy fluff stays luxuriously silky.

5. Eberechi Eze & Cartier the Shar Pei

  • Position: Midfielder
  • The Pup: Cartier (Shar Pei)
  • The Story: Named after the iconic French luxury jewellery house, Cartier, the Shar Pei lives up to his name. With his distinctive, adorable wrinkles and completely unbothered expressions, Cartier is a massive hit with Eze's family and England fans alike.

Advice for Eberechi Eze & his Shar Pei

Grooming Advice: Cartier’s iconic Shar Pei wrinkles are incredibly cute, but those deep skin folds require daily cleaning to prevent bacteria and irritation from building up. Keep a tub of disinfectant wipes handy by the door for quick, gentle wiping between the folds after every walk. For bath time, the Groomers Signature Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo is perfect for soothing their sensitive skin and maintaining healthy hydration.

6. Dean Henderson & His Guard Rottweiler

  • Position: Goalkeeper
  • The Pup: Rottweiler
  • The Story: Crystal Palace shot-stopper Dean Henderson is another fan of strong, loyal, and protective breeds. His majestic Rottweiler comes from a professional protection-training background, serving as both a home guardian and a beloved, loyal shadow who follows Dean wherever he goes.

Advice for Dean Henderson and his Rottweiler

Grooming Advice: Rottweilers have a dense, short double coat that sheds moderately and benefits greatly from a routine that focuses on skin hydration. A simple bristle brush used weekly will remove loose hair, while washing with a gentle, soothing formula will keep their skin barrier strong. Using the Groomers Performance Calming Shampoo will give his loyal guard dog a beautifully glossy coat while providing a relaxing spa experience at home.

Notable Dogs from the Rest of the World Teams

Even though we are rooting for England at the 2026 World Cup, we couldn’t resist mentioning some of the famous dogs from other countries. Here are some notable mentions for you to enjoy.

7. Lionel Messi & Señor Hulk

  • Position: Forward
  • The Pup: Dogue de Bordeaux (Señor Hulk)
  • The Story: Argentina's legendary captain owns one of the most famous dogs in football history. Señor Hulk went viral multiple times after Messi's family posted clips of the giant mastiff attempting to defend Messi's shots during his lightning-fast backyard dribbling drills. Despite growing into a literal giant, Hulk was a massive, gentle couch potato at home.

8. Christian Pulisic & His Loyal Co-Pilot Timone

  • Position: Forward
  • The Pup: Dachshund mix (Timone)
  • The Story: The host nation's star owes his favourite companion to a genuine internet Christmas miracle. When Pulisic was stranded away from home for the holidays, he put out a plea on social media to help transport his dog. A dedicated fan drove hours to personally deliver Timone to the forward, cementing the pup as the USMNT's most famous mascot.

Get World Pup-Worthy Cuts With Groomers

Your dog might not be on the pitch this summer, but they still deserve to look and feel like a champion.

At Groomers Online, we provide everything a professional groomer needs. Make sure to check out everything from scissors to the finest bathing products, tailored to a wide range of coat needs. Give your furry clients the Premier League pampering they deserve!

Read On:
The 2026 Dog Grooming Style Report: Trends, Data and Viral Cuts

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Dog Grooming Bath For Your Salon

Beat The Heat: 7 Essential Summer Dog Care Tips For Every Owner

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