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Most Americans think their puppies are pampered, but a new report has shared that some breeds are more pampered than others.
A poll of dog owners in the US shows herding dogs, such as Australian Shepards, Corgis and Border Collies, are treated like royalty.
About two-thirds (66 percent) of the 60 percent of respondents who claimed to have “the world’s most spoiled dog” owned a sheepdog, according to the poll.
But non-sporting breeds, including Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Shiba Inus, weren’t far behind: 64 percent of their owners reported that they believe their dog is at its most exuberant.
Terriers ranked a respectable third, with 59 percent of their owners insisting their Jack Russell, Scottish or Staffordshire Terrier had the “most pampered” crown in the world.
Among this top class of best-loved breeds, almost all of their owners agreed that their dogs lived like royalty in their homes: 79 percent of sheepdog owners, owners of non-sporting breeds, and terrier owners.
“Most of us would argue that our dog is ‘the’ most pampered dog, but there is a clear trend that smaller breeds are the most loved,” said Yvethe Tyszka, vice president of marketing at Solid Gold Pet, who commissioned the poll.
“Regardless of size or breed,” Tyszka told SWNS news agency, “all dog owners agree that their pups deserve the best of delicious treats, walks and all our attention.”
The study, conducted by OnePoll, which involved 2,000 dog owners, also found that more than one in four (28 percent) sheepdog owners like to take their dog on holiday for extra pampering.
Two-thirds of terrier owners reported happy to add extra treats to their dog treats throughout the day.
And 29 percent of toy breed owners even admitted to serving their pups high-end bottled or filtered water in their dog bowl.
But working dogs, the poll found, also received special treatment: 26 percent of their owners report treating their furry friends to hand-prepared meals.
Commissioned by Solid Gold Pet and conducted by OnePoll, the survey found that an overwhelming majority of dog owners (96%) said they spoil their pets. And 37% of owners reported that they treat their dogs so well, they’d consider swapping bodies with their pups for a day, if they could.
Just in time for Mother’s Day, three out of four women surveyed reported feeling proud of their “dog mom” persona.
About 67 percent of female dog owners believe they should be celebrated on holiday, just like human mothers.
A smaller majority, 58 percent of “dog moms,” responded that they plan to spoil their “fur babies” this Mother’s Day.
Many smaller but alarmingly nontrivial subgroups of women admitted to treating their four-legged friends more lavishly than themselves (32 percent), their children (17 percent), or their significant others (16 percent).
“Mother’s Day is the time for ‘dog moms’ to receive lots of love and affection from their furry baby,” says Tyszka.
“A perfect day to celebrate the dog mom in your life with something special,” she added, “and treat your dog too, of course.”