Why Is Isle of Dogs Called Isle of Dogs
So, which story do I believe? I’m a sucker for the Henry VIII hunting kennels theory, because it feels absurdly British. Only a Tudor king would park his dogs on a floodplain and accidentally name a neighborhood for 500 years. But the fog-and-rat theory has its charm, too. Either way, the name is proof that history is messy, funny, and often about animals doing their thing.
Next time you’re on the DLR and you hear “Isle of Dogs,” just smile. It’s not an isle, it’s not entirely about dogs, and it’s definitely not a tropical paradise. But it’s a name that survived centuries—because in London, even the weirdest names have a tail to tell. Woof.
P.S. If you ever visit, go to the Mudchute Farm. There are actual pigs, goats, and yes, dogs. The naming gods have spoken.