They say dogs are man’s best friend.

But for one Hampshire landlady, her little Jack Russell is so much more than that.

That’s because Mop Draper credits her adorable 17-week-old puppy Boris with single-handedly saving her pub from closure.

Mop, 58, believes the Compass Inn in Winsor, in the New Forest was heading for oblivion after a bleak end to 2011.

She said the watering hole, which she has owned for almost 16 years, was “swinging in the wind” after trade dipped.

But little Boris proved the paw-fect solution to Mop’s problems after she used his picture as part of a Christmas message to customers in the Daily Echo.

“I ran an advert in the Echo in December, wishing everyone a happy Christmas and it just went from there,” Mop said.

“So many people saw it and started coming into the pub with their dogs and we are now widely known as the most dog-friendly pub in the Forest.

“I can’t tell you how much it’s enhanced our trade.”

The pub now hosts doggy birthday parties and even rustles up its own doggy dinners for canine visitors.”

Mop said: “I’m sure we will be all right now and it’s all thanks to Boris.”