Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, has today revealed that British pet parents take on average 100 pictures of their pup a month – equating to 13,200 over their pet’s lifetime.
According to a Rover study, it is Poodles that have the most photo-obsessed pet parents, closely followed by Chihuahuas and Border Terriers. So, to celebrate dogs (no matter what their breed!), Rover will be hosting it’s very own ‘Puparazzi’ event this month, offering pet parents the opportunity to have paw-fessional pictures taken of their beloved pooches – for free!
Pictures of our beloved fur babies (30%) trumped partners (16%) and even children (23%) as the preferred subject to take a picture of. Going one step further, over a third (36%) revealed that their pooches are their phone’s screensaver, with one in 10 pet parents confessing to having a cushion with their dog’s face on it (11%), and even using photos of their dogs for Christmas cards (11%). However, 35% say they struggle to capture quality photos of their pup.
When it comes to welcoming a new dog into the household, over a third opted for a family-friendly breed (36%), while nearly one in 10 chose a breed they felt best matched their lifestyle. Loyalty (17%), friendliness (19%), and affectionate displays (33%) are the most valued personality traits in dogs amongst Brits. This news comes as Rover also revealed the most popular breeds of 2023, with Labrador Retrievers taking the top spot, and Cockapoo’s and Cocker Spaniels close on their tail.
Whilst it’s not recommended to choose a dog based on its appearance, for some pet parents it was important that they had a dog that looked both “cute” (53%) and “friendly” (77%). Over a quarter also wanted a breed that would be popular on social media (27%). However, proving how much we adore all our fur-babies, this was outweighed by 57%, who said it didn’t matter what their four-legged friend looked like. A further 89% were just happy to have the joy of a canine companion in their life.
It appears Brits love taking pictures of their beloved canine companion so much, that 70% would be willing to splash out on a professional photographer to help them achieve the perfect pawtrait, to the tune of £153, while nearly half (44%) would be willing to pay more for a professional dog shoot, than capture professional pictures of the family.
Hope is not lost for those that want to get a professional picture taken of their pooch, but don’t have the cash to splash. Rover’s free ‘Puparazzi’ pup-up studio is open to everyone, and will be held between 10am – 4pm at ‘The Terrace’ by Megan’s, across two days, on the weekend of the 9th/10th September].
The top ten most popular breeds are as follows:
- Labrador Retriever
- Cockapoo
- Cocker spaniel
- French bulldog
- Dachshund
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Border Collie
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
Top 10 breeds who have the most photo obsessed pet parents:
- Poodles – 196 images a month
- Chihuahuas – 176 images a month
- Border Terrier – 174 images a month
- Pomeranian – 166 images a month
- Corgi – 137 images a month
- Husky – 136 images a month
- French bulldog – 133 images a month
- Golden Retriever – 128 images a month
- Yorkshire Terrier – 114 images a month
- Labrador Retriever – 109 images a month
Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist comments: “When taking a picture of our dog, there are several ways to keep them engaged to ensure you get the best picture. The key here is to make sure that your starring dog is comfortable, happy, and not under any stress – so be patient and observant of their behaviour. Having treats or toys on hand can also be powerful motivators to capture your dog’s attention and get them to pose for the camera, reinforcing positive behaviour during your photo sessions.
“However, if you notice your dog isn’t cooperating during a photo session, it’s best to take a break. You want the experience to be enjoyable for the both of you.
“Photographing our pets should always be motivated by our desire to capture their special moments, not because we want to showcase their looks – and the same applies when choosing a dog breed. This decision should be fuelled by the love we have to give a four-legged family member, regardless of what they look like.”
