Pet trends for 2019

As we reach the end of February, pet trends for 2019 seem to be shaping up clearly. During the last couple of years technology entered the lives of our furry friends and there’s a lot more innovation on the horizon.

Instagram

Who hasn’t thought of setting up an account for their own dog, cat or even hamster? Some people have even turned their pooch’s publicity into a full-time job. Pets can become insta famous and bring income to your household, meaning that your animals can pay their own way simply by doing what they do best: being cute.

Fitness trackers

Just like you wear a Fitbit, your pets can wear smart collars. These gadgets enable you to track how far they are walking and whether they are getting the regular activity they need to stay fit and happy. By linking up the tech to your smartphone, you can keep tabs on your pet’s health at all times, which might even save a trip to the vets.

Keep an eye on them

You don’t just want to monitor your pets’ activities from a medical standpoint, you also want to keep an eye on what they do. There are smart cameras such as Nest that work very well as pet cams. This means that when you go to work or on holiday, you never have to let your imagination run wild, but can know they are safe and/or behaving. 

Popular pets

Yes, it’s not only about gadgets, there are trends for choosing pets too. According to a 2017/2018 estimate, 26% of UK households have a dog; 18% have a cat; and rabbits, hamsters, birds, guinea pigs, reptiles etc are about 1 or 2% each. This is in line with the stats of the last decade so we can only assume that dogs and cats will still be the more popular pets.

Because they lead the statistics, let’s take dogs: which ones are the more popular breeds?

Several hybrid dogs – though not yet recognised as a breed – are gaining popularity, such as Cockapoos (Cocker Spaniel and a small Poodle) and Labradoodles (Labrador Retriever and Poodle). Indeed, Poodle seems to be the fashionable dog to mix, giving rise to a range of wide and wonderful hybrids when crossed with breeds such as Maltese (Maltipoo), Schnauzer (Schoodle), Golden Retriever (Goldendoodle), Pekingese (Peekapoo) and Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkipoo).

Pugs remain on trend – something of a cultural icon now that seems to be plastered over all manner of T-shirts and phone cases – but the crossbreed Puggle (Pug and Beagle) is also now a likely choice for families due to the dogs’ affectionate, gentle nature. However, health concerns as to the breathing problems common in this type of dog have led to some controversy.

The beloved Golden Retriever, boisterous Labrador and trusty German Shepherd are still the preferred choices for many dog owners, all known for being good-natured. Border collies, originally bred to be sheepdogs, are also gaining popularity as household pets, favoured for their obedience and intelligence. Due to their unique temperament and needs, rescue dogs of this breed can only be sourced from the border collie trust.

Though Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels were originally used for hunting, they are more likely found bouncing about in the park. The dogs are full of energy and require a lot of exercise and attention, something which is worth considering when you think about which breed of spaniel would suit your lifestyle best.

Boxers, originally bred from Old British Bulldogs, have also maintained a high ranking. Playful and protective, they are top of many parents’ lists when considering child-friendly pets. 

The editorial unit