At Guide Dogs, we know just how much our four-legged friends mean to us – but a new study shows just how far some dog owners are willing to go. Nearly half (45%) of UK dog owners say they’d walk away from their dream home if it didn’t suit their dog’s needs.
The research, released to celebrate Guide Dogs' partnership with the Cotswolds Omaze Million Pound House Draw, shows people are willing to skip the amenities, sacrifice living close to family and friends, and blow the budget to keep their dog happy; Britain goes barking mad for their dogs – and the research proves it:
82% of dog owners who expect to move home said the needs and happiness of their dog would influence what property they choose in the future.
59% of dog owners said their dog’s happiness has influenced where they live in the UK.
28% admit to going over budget to have a more dog-friendly house. Among those who overspent when buying a home, 15% spent over £100,000 more than planned.
More than two fifths (44%) of dog owners would bring their dog to a house viewing or already have.
When it comes to compromises, it’s the humans who budge. From giving up being close to friends and family, to sacrificing that coveted spot near good schools, 71% of dog owners would be willing to forgo key location features in favour of a more dog-friendly home.
More than half of respondents (55%) said they’d prefer a spacious garden for their dog over a walk-in wardrobe for themselves, while 33% would choose a home with pet-friendly design, such as built-in pet gates or doggy showers, over a gym or spa.
At Guide Dogs, we’ve seen time and again the incredible dedication our volunteers show for the dogs in their lives. Take Helen Smith, who moved from Germany to Warwick to become a volunteer Breeding Dog Holder.
I heard someone on the radio talking about how they were waiting for a guide dog, and how desperately the charity needed more volunteers to support the service. It really moved me – I knew I had to help.
After visiting the Guide Dogs website, I decided to uproot my life and look after a guide dog mum in the UK. Breeding dog holders need to live within an hour’s drive of the Guide Dogs National Centre in Leamington Spa, so I began searching for a home in the area that had lots of dog-friendly features, including a spacious garden, dog-friendly flooring, and good dog walks.
As soon as I moved in, I applied for the role. I now live with guide dog mum Blossom couldn’t be happier to have such a marvellous dog and be part of an amazing organisation.
You could win the perfect dog-friendly pad as part of our partnership with the Omaze Million Pound House Draw offers, which offers participants the chance to win a quintessential house in the Cotswolds worth over £5 million, plus £250,000 in cash. The funds raised through this partnership will cover the first two months of life for all guide dog puppies born this year, helping transform the lives of people with sight loss.
Enter the Omaze Million Pound House Draw on their website.
