Top Dog: UK Pooches Out-Gift Friends and Family As Brits Splash £328M on Festive Presents

New research reveals 89% of UK dog owners purchase a Christmas gift for their pooch, with dogs ranking above friends, aunts and uncles in festive spending priorities

Forget silent nights, this Christmas is all about pampered pups. Our new research* confirms that our dogs aren’t just pets, they’re the VIPs of the family and are firmly in the close-family unit when it comes to festive spending. Ranking second only to immediate family members, Brits are prioritising spending on their pups ahead of friends, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The UK is set to spend a colossal £382 million on their canine companions this Christmas, with Greater London, Scotland, and the North West leading the charge as the biggest spenders.

With the humble crumpet being a firm favourite for owners and dogs alike, with 49% of those surveyed admitting that their four-legged friends enjoy an occasional nibble of a crumpet, we are unwrapping the ultimate festive treat. Today, we have unveiled a limited-edition Crum-PET Bed, available here for £20 size S, £25 size L.

It seems it truly is “man’s best friend”, with male dog owners over-indexing by 14% on their Christmas spending, forking out nearly £30 vs. a national average of £26.30, and nudging ahead of women who spend a comparatively modest £23.60. And despite younger generations facing a tricky economy, they aren’t holding back when it comes to treating their pups, with 25 – 34-year-olds lavishing almost double that of the over 65s (£29.60 vs. £16.00).

And the geographical battle for top dog is fiercely contested – Londoners lead the pack when it comes to dog-related Christmas splurging, forking out an average of £31.70, but Glaswegians are hot on their heels behind (£30.30), followed by owners in Bath and Manchester spending an average of (£27.70). Spare a thought for Wrexham’s pooches, receiving a comparatively modest average of £13.10.

Not all dogs are equal in the eyes of Santa’s helpers! While most pampered pups get a gift, there’s clear favouritism. Beagles top the list with 95% of owners buying them a festive gift, ahead of French Bulldogs (92%) and Golden Retrievers (91%). While popular breeds like Labs and Pugs hover around 90%, Rottweilers find themselves at the bottom of the pile, with just 84% of their ‘pawrents’ treating them.

Once again, Beagles enjoy the sweetest festive spoils, topping the average spend at £34.80. Surprisingly, despite being less likely to get a gift overall, Rottweilers are seriously spoiled when they do, with an average spend of £34.40. Bulldogs come in at £33.10 and French Bulldogs at £30.50. Meanwhile Dachshunds (£24.30) and Spaniels (£23.60) find their stockings a little lighter.

But the gifting extends well beyond December, with 74% marking their dog’s birthday with a gift, 28% celebrating their ‘gotcha day,’ and even buying them goodies for Halloween (29%) and Easter (25%).

With 53% of owners proudly declaring their dog is the ‘boss’ of the house, and 46% even considering their dog to be like a child, it’s no surprise that well over a third (38%) have spent over £100 on a single gift for them.

Jonathan Warburton, Chairman of Warburtons, commented: “Us humans all know and love the pillowy softness of a Warburtons crumpet, and this Christmas, we believe our furry best friends deserve that same level of luxurious comfort. Our Crum-PET Bed is designed to perfectly emulate that familiar, cosy, softness of the real thing, offering a fun and unique spot for dogs. It’s the ideal way for owners to show their love, providing the perfect place for a post-walk nap, and perhaps even sparking dreams of a real crumpet!

The Warburtons Crum-PET Bed is now available here from £20.

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