PA Pooches Among The Most Spoiled In The Nation: Study

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Pennsylvanians are more likely to spoil their pooches than anywhere else in the nation.

That’s according to a new study done by Forbes Adviser, which analyzed nine key metrics from a survey of 5,002 dog owners to identify the states where people spoil their dogs the most, from dressing them up in outfits and scenting them with perfume to painting their nails and feeding them home-cooked meals.

According to Forbes Advisor, the Keystone State ranks forth behind New York, California and Washington State in what owners will do to spoil their favorite canines.

“Pennsylvania ranked 4th on our list of states with the most spoiled dogs, with 64 percent of Pennsylvanians saying they’ve bought their dogs outfits and accessories,” says the Forbes report.

Pennsylvania residents also tied with those in Virginia and Georgia as the third most likely in the nation to spend more money on spoiling their dog than on spoiling their significant other (35 percent).

None of this comes as a surprise to Jacqueline Pomper, the owner and operator of Dog Daze Canine Hair Design and Boutique and Crate Escapes Dog Daycare on North Broad Street in Doylestown, where spoiling is the name of the game.

Pomper, who comes from a long line of dog breeders, sees and experiences the love and affection locals have for their dogs every day she goes to work.

“People love their dogs,” said Pomper who has seen her business take off over the past 12 years

“In the last 10 to 15 years there’s been a huge turn around in the way dogs are treated and how people treat their dogs,” said Pomper. “I think part of that comes from the environment. Look at the environment we live in. It’s an eclectic town with eclectic people.

“People are also having children later in life and they are moving to these areas but they still want something to love. So they get this little dog and the dog becomes everything,” she said.

As a result, the dog business has taken off. “Between designer dogs and all the things you can buy for them, it becomes fun,” she said.

“And I’m kind of ridiculous myself,” admits Pomper, who owns several Doberman Pinchers and Chihuahuas. “All of my dogs, they have their own little theme. My one grand champion, she does everything pink sparkle. And she loves pink monkeys. Then we have Hustle. Hustle loves everything Cheetah and Leopard. My newest one is Alibi. We haven’t picked her theme yet, but
we’re thinking it’s going to be ice cream and candy. It’s because there is a market out there it’s fun to do.

“As a breeder and groomer, they are my life,” she says of her dogs. “So there is no sense in not having fun with it.”

It’s a joy that she shares with her customers.

“I don’t necessarily think the spoiling comes from the financial output as much as it does from the emotional input from people. People invest emotionally in their dogs and treat their dogs as people. That’s where the spoiling begins.”

And speaking of spoiling, Pomper said she has plans to expand her operations to include a cafe and retail store that will market to the spoiled dog owner.

The Sit, Stay Cafe, which she's hoping to open by next spring, will feature a hot bubble gum pink and black decor and will feature homemade food that dogs can enjoy, including fresh meatloaf, fresh stews, homemade cookies and ice cream.

It will also feature a retail element with high-end items for dogs and their owners, including designer purses with a dog theme, and a selection of home decor items, also featuring dog themes.

And just in case you're wondering, the bottom three states for spoiled dogs are Wyoming, Arkansas and South Dakota, according to the Forbes Adviser study.

South Dakotans have the least spoiled dogs in the country, according to the survey residents. Residents were least likely in the nation to throw doggie birthday parties (10 percent) and to spend more money spoiling their pooch than on spoiling their significant other (17 percent).

South Dakotans also seem to think their canine companions do just fine with regular kibble — only 13 percent said they prepare homemade dog food. And residents of South Dakota were second least likely in the nation to spoil their dogs with outfits and accessories (33 percent).