Dumbarton and the Vale residents hoping to take their pooch for a pint will no longer be able to if their drinking hole of choice is a Wetherspoons. 

As of Monday, all canines – except for assistance dogs – will be banned from every chain venue.

The company said reasons for the ban included the fact the animals can be unpredictable and customers, many of whom include children, may not be fans of the four-legged friends.

There has allegedly been a no-dogs policy since shortly after Wetherspoons was founded almost 40 years ago, but it had allowed “a few exceptions” in recent years.

Eddie Gershon, Wetherspoons spokesman, said: “Even well behaved dogs can be unpredictable.”

He added that the family chain is mindful that “younger children in particular can be unpredictable around dogs and many are scared of dogs”.

The ban will cover Wetherspoons pubs and outside areas.