A "RARE breed" in the rental sector has opened its doors to both Southampton residents and their furry-friends.

Bow Square, a new community in the city centre, has become the region’s biggest entirely pet-friendly development, with nearly 300 apartments where renters can live with their pets.

Chihuahuas, sausage dogs and whippets are just some of the breeds that can be spotted heading down the hallway of the new apartments.

The community is a "rare breed" because every single apartment is available for residents to live with their cats or dogs.

Adam Dale, community director at Bow Square, said: "Finding a place to rent is often a nightmare for pet owners.

"So many landlords don’t accept cats or dogs and it can be a real struggle for people to find a place that accepts their four-legged friend.

"Even if one apartment in a building accepts pets, the one next door might not because it’s owned by someone else.

"We love our animals here and are proud to be, as we understand, the biggest apartment community that’s entirely pet-friendly in the area."

With the last of the 279 apartments officially handed over in October, Bow Square is now the biggest entirely pet-friendly place to live in the region.

Dudley Grey, who lives at Bow Square with his partner and their two dogs Zeus and Scout, said: “It’s so good to be able to have our dogs here with us.

"There’s quite a community of people here with pets so it’s nice getting to know one another."