Latest news with #Pets4Homes
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘Handbag dogs' fall from favour as Brits seek ‘status symbol' breed
The British bulldog has become the UK's most expensive dog breed, with an average puppy price of £1,694, a 20 per cent increase in the last year. "Handbag dogs" like the chihuahua and miniature dachshund are declining in popularity, with a 43 per cent drop in sales. Other breeds which have seen a popularity decrease are the chow chow and labradoodle, which have seen prices fall by 9 to 10 per cent. Viewings of each British bulldog puppy on sale rose by 230 per cent over the past five years. Axel Lagercrantz, chief executive of Pets4Homes, said they were becoming a new 'status symbol'. The RSPCA warns that bulldogs are four times more likely than other dogs to suffer from various diseases and have an average life expectancy of only six years. 'Status symbol' dog becomes the UK's most expensive breed
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘Status symbol' dog becomes the UK's most expensive breed
The British bulldog is now the nation's most expensive dog breed, according to recent sales figures. Historically bred for bull-baiting, the breed known for its flat face and breathing problems has now become a status symbol in the UK. Online pet marketplace Pets4Homes said new sales figures revealed the average asking price for a puppy stood at £1,694 - a rise of almost 20 per cent in the last year. In second place was the golden retriever, which sold for an average of £1,453, and in third was the boxer at £1,356. Axel Lagercrantz, chief executive of Pets4Homes, said 'handbag dogs' like chihuahuas, French bulldogs and miniature dachshunds are falling out of favour, with sales plummeting by up to 43 per cent. 'Now, the country's affluent buyers have chosen a new status symbol: the stocky, wrinkled and unmistakably British English bulldog,' he said. 'While other flat-faced dogs are officially losing their grip on popularity - sales of pugs and French bulldogs have plummeted by a staggering 50 per cent over the past years - the English bulldog is holding steady. 'This popularity can be explained by their affectionate, courageous, and irresistibly charming nature, making them excellent companions for families and seniors.' Viewings of each British bulldog puppy on sale rose by 230 per cent over the past five years, with a 45 per cent increase in the last year. Other breeds which have seen a popularity decrease were the chow chow, labradoodle, and the dachshund, which have seen prices fall by 9 to 10 per cent. Cavapoos and cockapoos also saw their asking prices fall over the last year. Animal welfare organisations have, however, warned that the British bulldog breed is prone to breathing issues and have urged owners to make sure the breed avoids overexertion and is taken to regular vet checkups. Lauren Bennett of the RSPCA said: 'Bulldogs are four times more likely to suffer from a variety of diseases due to their appearance and the way they have been bred. 'This significantly impacts their health and welfare and means they have an average life expectancy of just six years.'
Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Times
British bulldog becomes most the country's most expensive breed
For generations it has been a waddling, wheezing national mascot, the very embodiment of tenacity and Blitz spirit. But the British bulldog appears to have undergone a makeover. Trading grit for glamour, it has become a four-legged status symbol with a luxury price tag to match. The bulldog is now the UK's most expensive breed, according to recent sales figures, with the average asking price for a puppy standing at £1,694. In second and third place were the golden retriever, at £1,453, and the boxer, at £1,356. According to Axel Lagercrantz, chief executive of Pets4Homes, the online pet marketplace that supplied the data, buyers are eschewing once-trendy 'handbag dogs' — including French bulldogs, pugs and chihuahuas — in favour of the bigger British bulldog. Sales
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Mystery of Where Cat Has Been Goes Viral: 'Serious Explaining to Do'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The mystery of where a cat spent the night has left the internet in stitches—and sparked an unexpected debate about pet ownership across continents. Ellie Morton (@_ells444), a 28-year-old undertaker from Stockport, U.K., shared footage of her orange and white cat, Enid, returning home with an unexpected accessory: a false eyelash tangled in her tail. The TikTok clip, which racked up 373,800 likes and 1.6 million views, shows Enid waiting at the door, seemingly unbothered by her new fashion statement. "She was sat on the wall in the back garden waiting for me to let her in, even though she has a cat flap, she's just a spoiled princess!" Morton told Newsweek. "And I spotted the eyelash thinking it was a spider until I let her in and saw it was just a big fluffy strip lash. I'm still unsure where it came from as it doesn't look like one of mine because I usually wear individual lashes so the mystery continues!" A split image of Enid the cat returning home with an eyelash stuck in her fur. A split image of Enid the cat returning home with an eyelash stuck in her fur. @_ells444/@_ells444 In the video, Morton is seen carefully removing the lash from Enid's fur. She captioned the clip: "Miss girl got some serious explaining to do." While many TikTokers were amused by Enid's party-girl energy, the video unexpectedly opened a heated discussion in the comments about whether cats should be allowed to roam outdoors. "The social media reaction frankly has been awful!!! 48 percent of the commenters are Americans who've been horrible about the fact that I allow her outside even though that's such a common thing here in the U.K.?! I've just had to mute the notifications cause there's too much arguing and name calling going on for me!!" Morton explained. The cultural clash is not surprising, as pet-keeping norms differ significantly between the U.K. and the U.S. In the U.K., it's common for cats to have free access to the outdoors. British cat owners tend to view roaming as natural and enriching for felines, according to Pets4Homes. In contrast, many American owners are advised to keep their pets strictly indoors due to the risks of traffic, predators, and disease. The American Humane Society also recommends keeping cats inside, noting that outdoor cats are more likely to suffer injuries, disease, and shorter lifespans. However, it acknowledges that outdoor experiences can be valuable when done safely and supervised. Still, many commenters jumped to Enid's defense. "Maybe she found a broken hearted baddie and offered cat cuddles because girls support girls," wrote one user named Jen. "In the U.K. almost everyone with a cat lets them roam outside stop accusing her of animal abuse," said another. "She went to the clurb," quipped Katie Olivia. "WHYS EVERYONE SO MAD OVER THE CAT BEING OUTDOORS I DONT UNDERSTAND its so funny reading these comments ur from the uk and ur being warned about COYOTES," one user added. "And I thought cats be jealous when they smell another cat on you," wrote Angie. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
XL bully-style ‘muscle' dogs sold for discount after ban
XL bully-style 'muscle' dogs are being sold for discounted prices following a government ban. Eleven of the 14 'muscle' dog breeds such as American bullies, cane corsos and the presa canarios have seen their prices fall since the ban on XL bullies was announced in October 2023, according to data analysing millions of classified listings for pets. There were fears that fans of the banned XL bully would switch to the cane corso, a mastiff which has been dubbed 'the XL on steroids'. But buyers have also abandoned the Italian mastiff breed, which can weigh up to eight stone, and has become a favourite among Premier League footballers and TV personalities, said Pets4Homes. Its latest Pet Industry Report, drawing on UK-wide data from more than seven million pet listings, said: 'There is no evidence that cane corsos are picking up supply or demand following [the] XL bully ban.' Researchers found the average price for an XL bully fell by 9.5 per cent in the run-up to the ban, while the typical cost of a cane corso dropped by 11.4 per cent, from £818 to £725, between 2023 and last year. While the cane corso, which is not a recognised pedigree dog breed in the UK and therefore ineligible for Kennel Club registration, has fallen from 19th to 26th place since 2023 in the UK's top 50 most popular dogs. Overall, year on year, 86 per cent of muscle dog breeds including the American bully, cane corso, Staffordshire bull terrier, rottweiler, boxer and dogue de Bordeaux, have fallen in price. The XL bully ban in England and Wales came as a result of then prime minister Rishi Sunak's promise to end a string of 'horrendous attacks' on Britons by the breed. XL bullies have been blamed for at least 17 fatal attacks since 2020, including that of grandmother Esther Martin, 68, who was mauled by two of the dogs while visiting her grandson in Jaywick, Essex, in February last year – after the ban came into force. It is now a criminal offence to own or possess an XL bully unless an owner has a valid certificate of exemption. The ban also outlaws selling or giving away the breed, breeding the animal, and having one in public without a lead or muzzle. Axel Lagercrantz, Pets4Homes chief executive, said: 'Increased sales in muscle dogs like XL bullies arrived not long after lockdown, with a growth in dog purchases from inexperienced dog owners. 'Many buyers wrongly viewed having muscle dogs as a status symbol and often – most unwisely – believed that having such a dog would be good for personal security. 'Many feared that [after the ban] these buyers would simply turn to other similar dogs like the cane corso. That would have been unfortunate as these dogs need large open spaces, are extremely powerful and have some innate characteristics that need to be carefully trained and policed.' Fans of the cane corso include Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison and his England team-mate Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United. Mr Lagercrantz added: 'We are glad to see that many potential buyers are now educated about having a powerful dog in a domestic space with children. 'With public opinion moving away from muscle dogs, this has also made people wary of encountering them in social spaces or walking their dogs near them, which has also reduced demand among buyers. 'We always advise consumers to thoroughly research any dog before purchase. 'Choosing a pet that is suitable to their home and actual lifestyle, not one which projects an image on social media.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
