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esure

One Poll

17 June 2010

A DOGS LIFE
The Whippet emerged as the most expensive breed of dog, according to a new
report.
The Yorkshire man's favourite breed sets owners back a staggering #66,236.17
over its lifetime of 14.3 years.
Food, vet bills, grooming, kennels, insurance, accessories and gifts mean
Whippet-owners fork out #4,631.90 a year caring for their pooch.
The study of 3,000 pet owners, conducted by esure pet insurance, shows the
gentle dogs - which only grow to a height of 20 inches tall and weigh a maximum
of 30lbs - eat #996.67 of food every year.
Their vet bills come to #662.38, grooming costs #547.14 annually and when going
on holiday owners spend a further #190.48 on kennels.
Dog lovers also spend #891.90 for insurance for the breed, and another #498.57
is spent yearly on accessories.
And Whippet-owners are also the most generous when it comes to gifts -
splashing out an extra £844.76 a year on toys, nibbles, clothing and other
treats.
Nikki Sellers, Head of Pet Insurance at esure, said: ''Today's household pets
are treated more like members of the family and this new attitude is reflected
in the amount owners spend on their pet's lifestyle.
''Giving our pets the best home possible is clearly high on every dog lover's
agenda.
''But despite the amount of money dog lovers spend on their breeds, many pets
remain uninsured.
''Vets' fees can be very expensive and owners should bear in mind that,
ultimately, their pet's health is more important than the latest dog
accessories or expensive treats.''
The second most costly breed is the Bassett Hound, which costs owners #4,380 a
year for its care.
The breed lives for an average of 12.8 years, and owners spend a lifetime of
#56,064.13 - just over #10,000 less than the cost of the Whippet.
The third most expensive dog to own is the Beagle which has a lifetime bill of
#34,822.33, followed by the Chihuahua which comes with a price tag of
#30,819.88 over its 13 years.
And the Dalmatian, which also lives for an average of 13 years, is estimated to
cost its owners #29,425.50.
Dachshunds, Poodles, Pugs, Doberman Pinschers and Jack Russells all appear in
the top 10 list of most costly breeds.
Unsurprisingly, a third of all dog owners say they were shocked at how much it
costs to own their pooch - with unexpected vets bills being the biggest drain
on their finances.
But only 62 per cent of owners have been sensible enough to insure their pooch,
and are faced with enormous bills should they get ill or lost.
But despite the high costs, owners say the most annoying things about owning a
dog is their smell, stray hairs and the hassle of going on holiday.
And 82 per cent of owners wouldn't be without their beloved dog, claiming he or
she really is their best friend.
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com