British dog owners take an average of 100 photos of their pet every month – equating to 13,200 over the dog’s lifetime.
New research found poodles have the most photo-obsessed owners, closely followed by Chihuahuas and Border Terriers.
Pictures of their beloved fur babies (30 per cent) trumped partners (16 per cent) and even children (23 per cent) as the preferred subject to photograph.
Over a third (36 per cent) also revealed their pooches are their phone’s screensaver, with one in 10 confessing they have a cushion with their dog’s face on it (11 per cent), and even use photos of their dogs for Christmas cards (11 per cent).
However, 35 per cent say they struggle to capture quality photos of their pup. It may be for this reasons that many are prepared to splash out on a specialist service.
British dog owners take an average of 100 photos of their pet every month – equating to 13,200 over the dog’s lifetime
New research found poodles have the most photo-obsessed owners, closely followed by Chihuahuas and Border Terriers
The poll of 1,000 owners, by pet care marketplace Rover.com, found 70 per cent would be willing to splash out an average of £153 on a professional photographer to help them achieve the perfect ‘pawtrait’.
Indeed, nearly half (44 per cent) would be willing to pay more for a professional dog shoot than to capture professional pictures of their actual family.
Although it’s not recommended to choose a dog based on its appearance, may of today’s pet parents admit it was an important factor in their choice.
More than half confess they wanted a dog which looked ‘cute’ (53 per cent) and ‘friendly’ (77 per cent). Over a quarter – 27 per cent – even wanted a breed that would be popular on social media.
In contrast, 57 per cent said it doesn’t really matter what their four-legged friend looks like.
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.
Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist, said: ‘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.’
The company has set up a free ‘Puparazzi’ pup-up studio today (Sunday) between 10am and 4pm at ‘The Terrace’ by Megan’s in Clapham Common, London.
