Pet pooches cost owners £4,000 in damages over lifetime, research shows

Man’s best friend costs the average pet owner a whopping £4,000 in damages over the course of their life, according to fascinating new research.

Damaged furniture and ruined carpets are the most common complaints among animal owners according to Dr. Beckmann – racking up huge four figure bills.

Almost four in ten owners (38%) say their pooch has caused irreparable damage to their carpet, resulting in £3,000 of damage over the course of the average dog’s lifetime.

Elsewhere, duvets, shoes, curtains and bedsheets also take the brunt of canines’ curiosity, according to the nationwide poll, racking up bills of around £300.

Meanwhile, over a third of dog owners (35%) complain about their pet devouring their food, with the average pooch snaffling the equivalent of two weekly shops over its lifetime, costing £125.

Overall, 39% of pet owners say they are less likely to buy nice furniture because they’re worried their canine will ruin it, with dogs six times more likely to wreak havoc in the home than cats

The Dr. Beckmann study also delved into canine hygiene to reveal the top five muckiest and cleanest breeds.

Labradors are the muckiest pooches of all, according to the data, with Great Danes and German Shepherds rounding off top three scruffiest pups.

At the other end of the scale, pint-sized Chihuahuas were found to be the cleanest breed, followed by Shih Tzus and Beagles.

TOP FIVE MESSIEST DOG BREEDS
TOP FIVE CLEANEST DOG BREEDS
Labrador
Chihuahua
Great Dane
Shih Tzu
German Shepherd
Beagle
Bulldog
Poodle
Cocker Spaniel
Dachshund