See Spot spoon: Half of Canadian dog owners sleep with their pet -

See Spot spoon: Half of Canadian dog owners sleep with their pet - 


Millions of Canadians are sharing a bed with more than just their spouse – and 37 per cent of them would sooner eject their spouse than the interloper for snoring.

It’s no wonder a dog’s life is so celebrated.

A new nationwide survey finds 51 per cent of canine owners sleep with their furry friends, while 61 per cent acknowledge their pup’s birthday and 85 per cent regularly include their dog in family photos. In fact, 93 per cent of Canadian dog owners say Fido makes their family feel complete.

“As more couples are retiring and people are continuing not to have kids, dogs are absorbing a lot of the affection we have,” said Jill Priest, a noted Canadian dog trainer.

“But the more people pay attention to their dogs and want what’s best for them, the more they’ll learn that they’re not little people in fur suits. They’re dogs and need to be treated as such.”

Slowly but surely, that message appears to be reaching households with dogs, which represent 35 per cent of the population.

The poll finds, for example, that just two in five dog owners say their pooch shares a last name with their family. And kids are taking more of a leadership role, as opposed to establishing themselves as litter-mates: More than half of Canadian parents said their children keep their dog active through play, while a third said their children feed and walk their dog.

“It’s great for children’s confidence,” said Priest, who lives near Barrie, Ont. “And it teaches them to think outside of themselves and their own immediate needs.”

But pet humanization remains a key industry driver, according to a 2012 report by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The trend is credited with fuelling continued growth in the dog food category, which is projected to climb 11.5 per cent – to $1.1 billion – by 2016.

Quite simply, Canadians love their four-legged companions. Fully 85 per cent of owners credit their dogs for getting the family outside together to enjoy the outdoors, while 97 per cent say having a child look after a puppy fosters cooperation and generosity.



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