London, Jan 14 : Celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Madonna, who started the trend of keeping bite-size dogs, have influenced a lot of people as they are finding toy and other small dogs a better fit with modern homes and busy lives.
Celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Madonna, who started the trend of keeping bite-size dogs, have influenced a lot of people as they are finding toy and other small dogs a better fit with modern homes and busy lives.
So much so, as more and more people are opting for small dogs, the sales of miniatures such as chihuahuas are soaring while those of larger breeds are declining.
According to figures from the Kennel Club, the numbers of golden retrievers, German shepherds and boxers being bred have declined.
On the other hand, miniature schnauzers, chihuahuas and pugs are all enjoying a jump in popularity.
The demand for chihuahua puppies is rising so much that it can now sell for 2,000 pounds as compared to 500 pounds three years ago.
However, breeders have given a warning that corrupt puppy farms are exploiting the popularity of small varieties, selling animals that have not been bred properly.
According to the Kennel Club statistics, more than 1,700 long-coated chihuahuas were registered last year, up 50 per cent on 2005, with another 1,143 of their smooth-coated cousins - an 84 per cent rise.
"Smaller dogs are more suitable for our way of living nowadays. Chihuahuas have become popular because people have seen starlets with them and want to copy them," the Telegraph quoted Graham Foote, the chairman of the British Chihuahua Club, as saying.
"It's not good for the breed," he added. It has brough"t in puppy farmers and dogs that aren't bred or socialised properly," Foote added.
Kathryn Watts, of the Kennel Club, said: "Celebrities seem to have a huge impact on which breeds are deemed popular each year."
The statistics also reveal a decline in the numbers of 'macho' dogs.
It has been found that the registrations of Staffordshire bull terriers have declined by almost 1,000 since 2005 to 12,167.
