Last Updated on 16 August 2026 by PeteFree
Monty Don’s current dogs names are Patti and Ned.
The late Nigel was born on 17 May 2008 and was a Golden Retriever.
He was best known for his central starring role in Gardeners’ World.
Nigel’s co-stars were Monty Don as well as his fellow doggy friend Nell and the newbie Patti.
Nigel has had a book written about him, Nigel: my Family and other dogs by Monty Don and was even the subject of a parody Twitter account.
Monty Don talks about his dog Nigel and the book in the clip below.
Nigel did not always play an active part in the programme, choosing instead to take a nap but him and Nell are always the show stealers from poor Monty!
Nigel really enjoyed playing with his tennis ball as well as stealing gardening gloves, sticks, bulbs and even seed packets in moments of mischief in the garden!
In 2016, Nigel was missing from the programme after twisting sideways to catch his beloved tennis ball and his Intervertebral disc exploded.
In 2019, he underwent an operation to remove growths in his mouth.
Sadly in May 2020 Nigel died after he suddenly fell ill. Nigel died peacefully and is buried at Longmeadow with his beloved tennis balls.
Monty Don’s dog Nellie, known as Nell is a Golden Retriever who joined Gardeners World in 2016.
Described by Monty as having the attention span of a gnat, she often does not share the same amount of screen time as Nigel!
The pair however have one hobby in common… sleeping on the job!
In August 2020 Nell had an accident when chasing a stick, she impaled herself on it and speared her throat.
This narrowly missed 2 arteries and with the help of an emergency trip to the vets Nell has recovered well.
No more sticks for Nell though!
Nell sadly died on 20 October 2023 after being diagnosed with Cancer in the June. She is buried next to her friend Nigel, wrapped in one of Monty coats, with her favourite biscuits and toys.
Nell will be sadly missed.
Patti A Yorkshire Terrier first appeared on Gardeners’ World in April 2020.
Described by Monty as the smallest dog they have ever owned but is certainly the most bossy.
Patti loves the garden so will appear in future programmes.
Ned is Monty’s newest dog, another Golden Retriever and he arrived at Longmeadow on 17 September 2022.
He made his Television debut on 07 October 2022 at just 10 weeks old.
Monty said he was enjoying the garden by digging, eating and crushing as much stuff as he could which he is going to have learn not to if he going to be any help in the garden!
Nell is very tolerant of the pup.
Patti does not seem so happy that she is no longer the cutest and looks very grumpy to share the limelight with newcomer Ned!
The start of Gardeners’ World 2023 in March 2023 sees Ned making his first appearance of the year as a lively teenager and we have a full season to watch this young pup grow.
The Dogs on Gardeners’ World are a big part of not only Monty Don and his family’s life but also the viewers and The Animal Co-Stars of Gardeners’ World have become just as entertaining as the gardening.
Book
2016
Nigel: my family and other dogs
By Monty Don
All photographs are copyright of BBC.Com
Love Gardeners World Monty and his gorgeous dogs Christine Duffy Lanarkshire
Good evening Christine
We are very lucky to have Monty share his garden and Dogs with us every week.
Hope you are enjoying the blog
Best Wishes
Pete Free 🌻
What breeder in the uk are the dogs from? They are so beautiful 💖💖💖
Good evening
Nell is a Golden Retriever and Patti the little one is a Yorkshire Terrier.
Hope you are enjoying the blog.
Best Wishes
Pete Free 🌻
We love Monty and his team but the dogs are the stars. Look forward to seeing them all again next spring.
We just got a 8 week old Golden Retriever, actually a doodle but his hair is dark red and very smooth. He looks very much like your Ned. I love him! Looking forward to having him with me next spring in the garden.❤️