Why are people choosing smaller dogs? | The Economist
- 5 years ago
Small dogs are becoming increasingly popular around the world. Why are people choosing little pooches?
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Smaller, cheaper, cuter. Why are our dogs shrinking? In Britain the average weight of a dog has fallen by 12% since 2006. In America, small dogs are the most popular of all pooch sizes.
Over 80% of Americans and Britons live in urban areas where house prices are less affordable than at the start of the century. It's one reason why more young professionals are renting flats in cities which means less space for big dogs.
Smaller dogs are cheaper to feed too. That's good news for Britons whose hourly wages have fallen since 2008. In America, average wages now buy the same amount of goods as in 1979. A pug needs one quarter of the calories required by a German shepherd. Registrations for the breed in Britain have increased by 300% since 2006. Registrations for miniature dachshunds have risen by 25%.
While British dogs have shrunk, British waistlines have grown. Britons weigh on average 5.1kg more than in 1993 so perhaps dog walking can benefit owners as well as their canine friends.
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Smaller, cheaper, cuter. Why are our dogs shrinking? In Britain the average weight of a dog has fallen by 12% since 2006. In America, small dogs are the most popular of all pooch sizes.
Over 80% of Americans and Britons live in urban areas where house prices are less affordable than at the start of the century. It's one reason why more young professionals are renting flats in cities which means less space for big dogs.
Smaller dogs are cheaper to feed too. That's good news for Britons whose hourly wages have fallen since 2008. In America, average wages now buy the same amount of goods as in 1979. A pug needs one quarter of the calories required by a German shepherd. Registrations for the breed in Britain have increased by 300% since 2006. Registrations for miniature dachshunds have risen by 25%.
While British dogs have shrunk, British waistlines have grown. Britons weigh on average 5.1kg more than in 1993 so perhaps dog walking can benefit owners as well as their canine friends.
Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films every day of the working week.
For more from Economist Films visit: http://films.economist.com/
Check out The Economist’s full video catalogue: http://econ.st/20IehQk
Like The Economist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEconomist/
Follow The Economist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theeconomist
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeconomist/
Follow us on LINE: http://econ.st/1WXkOo6
Follow us on Medium: https://medium.com/@the_economist