JAMES TAVERNIER has shown his pedigree on the park at Rangers. Now he wants to be top dog off it.

The right-back committed his future to the Light Blues this week as he put pen-to-paper on a new three-and-a-half year deal.

But he is breeding a different kind of career away from Ibrox after launching his own company with friend Jake Chapman.

Read more: James Tavernier confident Rangers are on the right track to deliver success at Ibrox​

Tavernier’s passion for pets has become a business venture and his Designer Bullies UK firm deals in American Bulldogs.

‘Luscious the Lyon’ and ‘Nino’ are two of his prized pooches and Tavernier is determined to lead the way and make his Bullies the best in show.

“I have always been into dogs,” he said. “Myself and my missus always wanted a family dog but it had to be the right place, not an apartment, and we are in a house now.

“This is something that I have started with a friend who I have known since I was three. We decided to start a business about these dogs and it is going really well at the minute. I’m enjoying it and enjoying the dogs.

“None of my team-mates have bought one yet. But I know Josh (Windass) is looking for a dog so I might try and persuade him!

“These American Bulldogs only came into the UK in 2012 so they are quite new to people. They are a great family dog and have been great with my kids.”

Tavernier has used social media sites Twitter and Instagram to spread the word about his new venture as he looks to build a Bulldog brand that is best of British.

The Englishman has long been a fan of man’s best friend but his childhood pets were inspired by his other passion in life.

Tavernier said: “It was a little bit of a mongrel, a bit of mixed breed. It chewed up the house. There were two, actually – Rio and David.

“Rio after Rio Ferdinand and David after Edgar Davids. They would chew up the house and my mum wasn’t best happy about it. We don’t really do the football names any more.

“The business is called Designer Bullies so we have gone down the road of designer names that we can give to the dogs. People can have a look at the Instagram site.”

In years gone by, footballers would pursue a career in the media or open pubs if they didn’t continue in the game when they hung up their boots.

But Tavernier has a new leash of life as he looks forward to the next chapter of his career at Ibrox and what he hopes will be a successful and silverware-laden spell.

Read more: James Tavernier confident Rangers are on the right track to deliver success at Ibrox​

The 26-year-old endured a nomadic existence as he made several loan moves from Newcastle United and never established himself at St James’ Park.

Now he has laid down roots in Glasgow and is an integral part of the Light Blues side. For Tavernier, life at Ibrox is the dog’s, well you know what.

He said: “I can add a little more stress when I’m talking to my mate about it! No, it’s something where you have thoughts about what might happen after football.

“The lads always try and come up with different opportunities to start up little businesses. I’ve gone this way and hopefully it can take off and be something after football that I can concentrate on.

“We talk about which dogs we are going to buy next and the figures that pop up. You have think about how much you have to spend and so on.

“It runs like any other business. You have to make calls and do the rest.

“It’s actually enjoyable, though, because you have these family dogs around the place. At the moment, I think we have six in total. Two are with me, three are down with my friend and another with someone else.

“Most of the people talk about the goals and Rangers, which I am fully focused on.

“It’s good to have something off the field, but it has obviously been great to get the response from the fans recently.”

Tavernier may have a passion for pooches but it is desire for silverware that will be his inspiration in the coming years.

The full-back has targeted Premiership glory and Champions League football at Ibrox and he is enjoying life in Light Blue as much as ever.

Tavernier said: “I’ve loved every minute of my time up here. Mark brought me in initially and he gave me the chance to grow and express myself.

“It gave me the confidence to play week in week out and this season I have enjoyed playing with Daniel (Candeias)

“We have a good understanding and that has brought my football on.

“My kids are all settled in nursery and my missus is really comfortable up here.

“If you are happy off the pitch then it will impact on it.”