Research by Digital UK, which questioned 1800 dog owners, has revealed that dogs in the UK are watching at least an hour of TV a day and the hours spent sleepy eyed in front of the goggle box are set to rise, according to experts, as the nation goes digital. The clearer picture produced by digital TV is easier for our pets to watch, apparently.
Chris Laurence, veterinary director of the Dogs Trust, explained: “The way digital is delivered seems to make it easier for dogs to watch. We’ve thought for some time that dogs love watching telly to relax, either with their owners or by themselves.”
The study reveals that most dogs prefer the soaps such as Coronation Street and Eastenders to football, for example…My dog loves nature programmes, cartoons and period dramas (well, she is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel after all!) She also, understandably, loves anything with dogs in it and stares transfixed at the screen when someone appears on TV to be walking towards her.
Dogs also get excited by theme tunes, especially those with higher pitched sounds. I can fondly recall our Border Terrier Rosie’s love for The Antiques Roadshow’s theme tune. She loved the trumpet blasts and would sing her little heart out throughout the credits.
Dogs also have their favourite TV personalities, according to the poll. Silver fox Philip Schofield is the dogs dinner while Simon Cowell and Jeremy Clarkson also get tails wagging. Noisy quiz shows are the biggest turn off for our pooches while nearly half of dog owners say their pet has a favourite TV programme, with one in three dogs getting visibly (or noisily!) excited when the show’s theme tune starts.
While no research has yet been done for other pets, I suspect that any cat owner will testify that their feline loves watching the box as well.