Dogs as accessories
We are already a nation of dog lovers. However the UK’s love for their pets is evolving into obsession as they are becoming more than family pets but one of the latest fashion accessories.

The recent trend, mainly in female celebrities, is to take your dog with you everywhere in your handbag whether you are going shopping or out to dinner. Her Majesty the Queen is famous for her corgis but these days you are just as likely to see singers Geri Halliwell and Cheryl Tweedy travelling with their dogs.

Accessories for small dogs
High street shops like Next and Top Shop are cashing in on the trend by selling items of dog clothing alongside their women’s collections. They are entering the ‘dog clothing’ market making it easy to buy for your dog while buying for yourself. There is no need to shop online at one of the dedicated dog clothing websites or go to a specialist shop dog-fashion is now out in the open.

‘The closest my dog gets to clothes is a new collar at Christmas’ Amanda, 27, Birmingham

‘I think it’s cute I have a coat for my little dog although I don’t carry her around in a bag. What’s the point of having a dog if you don’t take it for walks where they are actually walking.’ Elaine, 26, Liverpool

Doggie retreats
And people are not just pampering their pets with the latest clothes and accessories. More people are taking their pets away with them for holidays. UK hotels and holiday parks are catering for the animal lover by allowing people to holiday with them. If you are travelling abroad why not leave them at a doggie retreat or spa where they will be pampered.

‘We send our dog to a special spa kennel that pampers them while we are away - they even have their own TV’ Liz, 24, Manchester

Dogs are for life…
Famous campaigns like 'Dogs are for life and not just for Christmas' highlight the responsibility of owning a dog and so it’s important to remember that when you see people and their pets what you don’t see is the time, money and love invested in man’s best friend. Actress Sienna Miller recently took a responsible attitude by returning two young dogs to ex-partner Jude Law because she can’t give them the attention they need.

Personally I love dogs but I'm allergic to them so I won’t be seen carrying one around in my handbag. I just spend my time and money on the handbags themselves.  

Lucy
January 2007

Glossary
Cashing in – making money out of