BrewDog is launching the Puppy Parental Leave programme to give employees time to bond with their new pet, whether they are welcoming a new puppy or taking in an older rescue dog.

The Aberdeenshire brewery is a dog-friendly workplace, with around 50 office dogs, and has already had inquiries from staff about the scheme.

The puppy parental leave will also be available at its new brewery in Columbus, Ohio, which is due to open in Spring 2017.

BrewDog co-founder James Watt said: "It's not easy trying to juggle work and settle a new dog into your life, and many members of our crew have four-legged friends at home.

"So we wanted to take the stress out of the situation and let our teams take the time they need to welcome their new puppy or dog into their family.

"We always want to raise the bar when it comes to offering our staff the best possible benefits. At BrewDog, we care about two things above all else: People and beer. We also just really, really like dogs."

The company hopes the scheme will give dogs time to settle into their new home and surroundings while their owner is there.

The brewery was started by Mr Watt and Martin Dickie in 2007 and both co-founders are often accompanied by their canines Simcoe and Dr Gonzo.

It has expanded significantly over the years and by 2015 had 540 employees and 32,000 shareholders as well as 44 bars.